Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, otherwise known as Bad Bunny, has had an astronomically fast rise to fame. The Puerto Rican reggaetonero has become a household name far beyond the Latin-Trap scene, with some fans who don’t even understand his lyrics and love him just the same. He has made his mark in the Reggaeton industry in just a few years, and it seems as though his popularity is increasing by the second.
With the recent release of his latest album “YHLQMDLG” (which is an abbreviation for Yo Hago Lo Que Me De La Gana, which translates to “I do whatever I want”), let’s take a moment to look at why Bad Bunny is so widely adored.
- He’s an off-beat fashion icon.
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Bad Bunny is no stranger to taking risks and breaking some rules when it comes to his music, and this translates into his outfit choices as well. Always loud and always proud, his brightly colored and gender-bending looks never fail to make a statement and have clearly inspired many current trends. Rocking more feminine pieces from time to time while maintaining a hyper-masculine persona lyrically challenges all made-up notions of what gender is supposed to mean. Even his merch represents his boldness, giving fans a chance to be just as trendy while giving all their support.
- He utilizes his platform.
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As a Puerto Rico native, Bad Bunny never stops showcasing his Boricua pride. He has taken advantage of his enormous following and spoken up for causes that are close to his heart. He was seen with other Latino artists such as Residente and Ricky Martin in the streets of Puerto Rico protesting the corrupt governor Ricardo Rossello and live-streamed all of the protests, informing fans of what was happening and how they could help. More recently, he appeared on The Tonight Show to promote his new album. While performing one of his songs, he revealed a shirt stating “Mataron a Alexa, no a un hombre con falda” which translates to “They killed Alexa, not a man in a skirt.” This statement was in light of the murder of Alexa Negron Luciano, a transgender woman from Puerto Rico who was wrongfully referred to as “a man in a skirt” when her story reached the news.
- His music is universally loveable.
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Whether you speak Spanish or not, it’s not hard to find yourself moving to a Bad Bunny song. With nothing but hits in his discography, which is jam-packed with perreo-friendly bangers as well as emotional ballads, Bad Bunny is no stranger to being at the top of the charts anytime he releases new music. His most recent addition, “YHLQMDLG,” is a non-stop party from front to back and fits perfectly into his preexisting musical presence. He’s collaborated with other well-known artists such as J Balvin, Daddy Yankee, and made his mark in the American scene with the hit single “Mia” featuring Drake. It’s almost impossible to go out for a night of dancing and drinking without hearing a high-energy, room-shaking Bad Bunny anthem.