Billboard Explains: Bad Bunny’s Meteoric Ascent, from SoundCloud to Superstardom

This week, Bad Bunny‘s Debí Tirar Más Fotos earned the peak position on the Billboard 200, ascending from its No. 2 debut last week. In the segment of Billboard Explains, we take a look at his meteoric rise to superstardom.

With Debí Tirar, the Puerto Rican superstar leverages his unprecedented success to delve deeper into his cultural roots, creating an album that celebrates Latino heritage and connects with identity. “This is a very special album, and part of its purpose was to bring together generations in a different way; have grandchildren sharing the music with their parents and grandparents and celebrate their culture in a special way,” Bad Bunny told Billboard in an interview.

Each of Bad Bunny’s albums marks a unique chapter in his narrative, showcasing significant strides in both his artistic and personal growth. His last four albums, particularly, have each impressively secured the No. 1 slot on the Billboard 200.

His 2023 album, Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Mañana, channeled an icy, trap-oriented sound, mirroring the artist’s feelings of isolation at the zenith of superstardom. Before that, Bunny found himself in a more summery mindset, as his 2022 album Un Verano Sin Ti radiated with beach vibes, encapsulating the lively rhythms and warmth that epitomize Caribbean life. In late 2020, amid the global pandemic, El Último Tour Del Mundo tackled themes of uncertainty and introspection — all four No. 1 albums masterfully produced by MAG and Tainy.

Amid these hit releases, the Puerto Rican superstar also shone on global stages, sharing the spotlight with icons like Shakira and Jennifer Lopez at the 2020 Super Bowl, and turning heads at the Met Gala multiple times. From his early days posting tracks on SoundCloud in 2016 to achieving global acclaim in the last few years, Bad Bunny’s journey to stardom is an impressive trajectory of growth and influence.

Explore more about his evolution in the video above.