Wellisch ’26: How Bad Bunny is

“Yo Hago Lo Que Me Da La Gana.” I do whatever I want.

Beyond being the title of one of his albums, these words define Puerto Rican reggaeton star Bad Bunny. His subversive ethos defines his success — he does whatever he wants and has emerged as a global cultural icon as a result. From his gender-bending fashion to his refusal to sing in English to his commentary on puerto Rican politics, Bad Bunny has made mainstream culture cater to him instead of the reverse. His unprecedented fame teaches us the power of cultural pride and steadfast authenticity, revealing how the landscape of modern popular culture has become fertile ground for originality.

part of Bad Bunny’s success stems from him making a name for himself under today’s social conditions. He’s emerging as a leading musical artist on the heels of a steady increase in the U.S. Latino population, not to mention the growing influence of Hispanic culture nationwide. perhaps even more importantly, Generation Z is more drawn to authenticity and transparency, meaning that modern celebrities like Bad Bunny can focus on expressing their individuality rather than being broadly palatable, a significant constraint for Latin artists of the past.

Historically, many Latin musical artists have altered their music to fit into the American market. Latin singers prioritized the attention of English-speaking American consumers and were willing to adjust their musical styles to appeal to them. Translating lyrics to English and collaborating with U.S. pop artists became common tactics for Latin artists to attain international success.