Bad Bunny

Bad Bunny

Bad Bunny Announces 2024 Tour: A Major Event for Fans Worldwide

Bad Bunny, the 29-year-old Puerto Rican singer and rapper, has unveiled plans for a highly anticipated 2024 tour. On October 19, the artist announced his Most Wanted Tour, which will span 31 cities across North America. The announcement follows closely on the heels of the release of his fifth studio album, Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana (“Nobody Knows What Will Happen Tomorrow”). The tour is set to kick off in Salt Lake City in February 2024, making stops in cities such as Las Vegas, Denver, Houston, and Toronto, before concluding with three performances in Miami in May. Fans can register for tickets until October 22, 2023.

Who Is Bad Bunny?

Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has become an international sensation while remaining true to his roots by primarily singing in Spanish. Unlike many Latin artists who transition to English to reach a broader audience, Bad Bunny has captivated global audiences with his Spanish-language hits. The three-time Grammy Award winner is known for chart-toppers like Titi Me Pregunto, Dakiti, Moscow Mule, and I Like It (a collaboration with Cardi B and J Balvin). His groundbreaking 2020 album, El Último Tour del Mundo, became the first all-Spanish album to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. His 2022 album, Un Verano Sin Ti, also made history as the first Spanish-language album nominated for the Grammy Award for Album of the Year. His latest album, Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana, released in October 2023, continues his record of innovation and success.

Early Life and Family Background

Born on March 10, 1994, in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, Bad Bunny grew up in the modest neighborhood of Almirante Sur. His father was a truck driver, and his mother, an English teacher. He has two younger brothers, Bernie and Bysael.

Bad Bunny’s love for music began early, particularly with reggaeton—an urban blend of hip-hop and reggae. He was inspired by artists like Daddy Yankee and Vico C, and was frequently exposed to the music of reggaetonero Tego Calderón on his way to school. Beyond reggaeton, he also enjoyed listening to salsa, merengue, rock, and even the Bee Gees. His musical journey started in the church choir, where he sang until the age of 13, after which he shifted his focus to creating beats and freestyling with friends.

To further his passion for music, Bad Bunny attended the University of Puerto Rico’s Arecibo campus, studying audiovisual communications. During this time, he worked at a local supermarket to support his education.

How Did Bad Bunny Get His Name?

Bad Bunny revealed the origin of his stage name during a 2018 interview. “When I was a little boy in school, I had to dress up as a bunny, and there’s a picture of me with an annoyed face,” he shared. “When I saw it, I thought, ‘I should name myself Bad Bunny.’” He added that he believed the name would be memorable, saying, “A bunny is so common, I thought every time someone sees one, they’ll think of my music.”

Bad Bunny’s rise to global stardom, coupled with his upcoming 2024 tour, underscores his influence as one of the most dynamic figures in contemporary music. Fans eagerly await the chance to see him perform live as he continues to break boundaries and shape the future of Latin music.

Music Career: Hit Songs and Albums

Bad Bunny’s journey in music began humbly, sharing his creations on SoundCloud while he was still in college. In 2016, his track “Diles” gained significant attention, drawing interest from producers. At the time, he was still working in a grocery store and had to balance taking calls from music professionals while on the job. His career took a major turn after teaming up with his manager, Noah Assad, with a strategic decision to focus on releasing singles and videos on YouTube, bypassing traditional record labels.

By 2017, Bad Bunny had gained prominence through collaborations and hit singles like “Pa Ti,” “Loco Pero Millonario,” and “Sensualidad.” His momentum continued in 2018 with the Grammy-nominated “I Like It,” a collaboration with Cardi B and J Balvin, which became a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.

His debut album, X 100PRE, released on Christmas Eve 2018, reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Latin Albums chart. The album, which blends multiple genres, was a showcase of Bad Bunny’s versatility and earned him a Latin Grammy for Best Urban Music Album, later achieving diamond certification. He followed this success with Oasis, a collaborative EP with J Balvin, which was nominated for a Grammy in the Best Latin Rock, Urban, or Alternative Album category.

Bad Bunny continued to break new ground in 2020 with his second album, YHLQMDLG (Yo Hago Lo Que Me Da La Gana, or “I Do Whatever I Want”). The reggaeton album debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200 and won the Grammy for Best Latin Pop or Urban Album. Later that year, he released Las Que No Iban a Salir, an album of outtakes, and ended the year with El Último Tour del Mundo, the first all-Spanish album to debut at No. 1 on the Billboard 200. This album won the 2022 Grammy for Best Música Urbana Album.

In 2022, Bad Bunny’s Un Verano Sin Ti further solidified his dominance in the music industry. The album spent 13 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and received a Grammy for Best Música Urbana Album. For the first time, a Spanish-language album was nominated for Album of the Year at the Grammys, marking a milestone for both Bad Bunny and the Recording Academy.

In October 2023, Bad Bunny released his fifth studio album, Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana (Nobody Knows What Will Happen Tomorrow), after teasing its arrival with cryptic billboards in Latin American countries. This much-anticipated album follows a string of successful releases and continues to showcase his artistic evolution.

Activism

Bad Bunny’s music frequently carries strong social messages. In the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, he released “Estamos Bien,” capturing the resilience of Puerto Rico. His performance on The Tonight Show drew attention to the ongoing hardships in Puerto Rico a year after the storm, with many homes still without power. In 2018, his song “Sólo de Mí” highlighted domestic violence issues in Latin America, and he used a 2020 Tonight Show appearance to protest the murder of a transgender woman in Puerto Rico, Alexa, wearing a shirt that read, “They killed Alexa, not a man in a skirt.”

Beyond his music, Bad Bunny has been active in political protests. In July 2019, he joined demonstrations calling for the resignation of Puerto Rico’s Governor Ricardo Rosselló, following the release of offensive text messages. He also co-wrote the protest song “Afilando Los Cuchillos” to express public outrage. In addition, Bad Bunny has encouraged voter participation and social justice, particularly before the 2020 elections.

His charitable efforts include his Good Bunny Foundation, which supports underprivileged children, and his partnership with Cheetos’ Deja Tu Huella campaign, which awarded $500,000 to students making a difference in their communities.

Girlfriend Kendall Jenner

Bad Bunny is currently in a relationship with model and television personality Kendall Jenner. The two were first introduced by mutual friends in February 2023, and soon after, rumors about their romance began to circulate as they were frequently seen together at restaurants and public events. They made a notable appearance together at the 2023 Met Gala in May and were later spotted sharing a public kiss during a Drake concert in August.

Despite the public interest in his relationship with Jenner, Bad Bunny has remained private about his personal life. In an interview with Vanity Fair, he expressed his desire to keep certain aspects of his life away from the public eye: “They don’t know how you feel, they don’t know how you live, they don’t know anything, and I really don’t want them to know. I’m not really interested in clarifying anything because I have no commitment to clarify anything to anyone.”

Prior to dating Jenner, Bad Bunny was in a long-term relationship with jewelry designer Gabriela Berlingeri, whom he met at a restaurant in Puerto Rico in 2017. The couple spent the COVID-19 lockdown together, and Berlingeri even lent her vocals to the song “En Casita” alongside Bad Bunny. The two parted ways in January 2023.

When it comes to matters of gender and sexuality, Bad Bunny has been candid about his fluid perspective. In a 2020 interview, he stated, “It does not define me,” adding that while he currently identifies as heterosexual, “one never knows in life.”

Beyond music, Bad Bunny has made waves in the fashion and entertainment industries. His distinct fashion sense has led to collaborations with brands like Adidas, where he designed clothes and sneakers, including a glow-in-the-dark Crocs collection that sold out rapidly. He has also ventured into acting, with roles in Narcos: Mexico and the film Bullet Train alongside Brad Pitt. His upcoming projects include a role in the comedy American Sole.