NEW YORK (AP) — Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny is making waves in the music world. He’s up for six Grammy awards at the 2026 ceremony on February 1, marking a historic achievement for Spanish-language artists. His album, Debí Tirar Más Fotos, is only the second Spanish-language record to be nominated for Album of the Year. The first? That was Bad Bunny’s own Un Verano Sin Ti in 2022.
Experts agree that these nominations matter for the Latino community. A week after the Grammys, Bad Bunny will also headline the Super Bowl halftime show, showcasing his influence even further.
Vanessa Díaz, a professor at Loyola Marymount University and co-author of P FKN R: How Bad Bunny Became the Global Voice of Puerto Rican Resistance, emphasizes that Bad Bunny’s nominations reflect a significant shift. “It’s a welcome recognition of Latin music’s growth,” she says.
Historically, music from the Spanish-speaking Caribbean has shaped global tastes. Albert Laguna, a professor at Yale, mentions that Bad Bunny is the latest in a long line of Caribbean music stars.
Much of his genre, particularly Latin trap and reggaetón, has faced stigma in Puerto Rico. Díaz notes that these styles come from marginalized communities. Bad Bunny’s recognition is a breakthrough for these often-overlooked genres.
Petra Rivera-Rideau, another co-author of P FKN R, highlights that mainstream institutions often ignore such genres, especially at the Latin Grammys. She states that a win could inspire other artists, though there are still biases within the Recording Academy. Despite being the most streamed artist globally, Bad Bunny has only won in urban music categories.
Bad Bunny’s album fuses traditional Puerto Rican styles with modern beats, creating a fresh sound. Laguna observes this album as a challenge to the formula for global pop success, marking it as Bad Bunny’s most authentically Puerto Rican project yet.
The album resonates deeply, especially amidst growing anti-immigrant sentiment in the U.S. The current political landscape makes Bad Bunny’s success feel even more significant. With rising fears around deportation, his music offers a sense of hope and identity to the Latino community.
In a recent interview, he expressed that these real-world issues influenced his decision not to tour the continental U.S., especially given the heightened deportation activities in Puerto Rico.
Díaz emphasizes the political depth of his lyrics, saying they’re rich with historical context about Puerto Rico. Winning a Grammy would be a landmark moment, much like Halle Berry’s Oscar win for Best Actress, as it represents progress for marginalized communities.
The album has found broad appeal across generations. Rivera-Rideau explains that the blend of folkloric music with urban sounds makes it accessible, breaking through old taboos surrounding Latin genres. This combination attracts diverse audiences, as seen during Bad Bunny’s groundbreaking shows.
Laguna mentions that this music offers a powerful reflection of today’s complex issues. “It provides a sonic language for navigating a tense moment,” he says. The 68th Grammy Awards will take place on February 1, 2026, at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles and will be broadcast on CBS. For further updates, check out AP News.
Source link
Music, Grammy Awards, Bad Bunny, Donald Trump, Hispanics, Puerto Rico, General news, Latin America, Central America, Trending News, Race and ethnicity, Entertainment, U.S. news, Rita Moreno, Albert Laguna, Hawaii, World news, Race and Ethnicity, World News, U.S. News
