Podcast Summary: How Bad Bunny Went from Bagging Groceries to Global Superstardom

Podcast: Apple News Today
Host: Shamita Basu
Guest: Susie Exposito, Editor at De Los, LA Times
Date: February 7, 2026
Episode Theme: Bad Bunny’s meteoric rise from humble beginnings to global icon, his musical evolution, cultural impact, outspoken activism, and the significance of his upcoming Super Bowl halftime show.

Episode Overview

This episode explores the journey of Bad Bunny (Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio), highlighting how he became the first artist with a Spanish-language record to win the Grammy for Album of the Year, and why he is a uniquely influential figure in music and beyond. Shamita Basu is joined by journalist and longtime Bad Bunny fan Susie Exposito to discuss his roots, artistry, activism, and his resonance with audiences worldwide as he prepares to headline the Super Bowl halftime show.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Bad Bunny’s Historic Achievements

• Grammy Milestones:
  • First ever Spanish-language record to win Album of the Year (Debi Tira Armas Fotos) [00:04]
  • Six Grammy wins, four consecutive years as Spotify’s most-streamed artist
• Cultural Impact:
  • His blockbuster Puerto Rico residency boosted the local economy
  • Set to headline the Super Bowl halftime show, drawing over 100 million viewers

2. Roots and Upbringing

• Early Life:
  • Grew up in a small Puerto Rican town; father was a trucker, mother an English teacher
  • Sang in Catholic church choir; early exposure to both religious music and pop culture (like The Simpsons) [02:58]
• Eclectic Musical Influences:
  • Listened to reggaeton icons (Daddy Yankee, Vico C), and American rock/nu-metal (Linkin Park, Green Day) [04:14], creating a unique musical blend
  • “From the time he was a child, he had a really open mind when it came to music and the arts.” — Susie Exposito [05:38]

3. From Groceries to SoundCloud Stardom

• Early Career:
  • Worked as a grocery store checkout clerk while studying audiovisual communications at the University of Puerto Rico [06:24]
  • Started making music for friends, uploaded tracks to SoundCloud in 2016—immediate viral success with “Diles” [06:24–08:30]
• Breakout Collaborations:
  • Early collaborations with heavyweights like J Balvin and Drake; the single “Mia” (2018) and “I Like It” with Cardi B were major commercial breakthroughs [09:35–10:44]

4. Breaking the Global Barrier

• Staying True to Identity:
  • Refused to switch to English for mainstream success; sings “almost exclusively in Spanish” and uses specific Puerto Rican expressions [12:17]
  • “He’s singing for the world, but there’s all these really special Puerto Ricanisms in his music that speak to his cultural pride.” — Susie Exposito [12:50]
• Latin Music’s Evolution:
  • Compared to prior Latino stars who “had to filter themselves” or perform in English to succeed globally; Bad Bunny and peers broke the mold [11:03–12:15]

5. Artistic Experimentation & Evolution

• Musical Range:
  • Every album pushes boundaries: mixes trap, reggaeton, pop-punk, nu metal, salsa, and more [15:03]
  • “With every record, he wanted to break the mold in some way. He’s very experimental.” — Susie Exposito [15:03]
• Album Highlights:
  • Un Verano Sin Ti cited as mainstream breakthrough; notable tracks like “Tití Me Preguntó” praised for their cultural universality and narrative creativity [17:23–19:00]
    • “He would write such a good musical… for what’s next for him, I would not be surprised if he wrote a musical.” — Susie Exposito [19:39]

6. Blockbuster Residency & Intergenerational Appeal

• 2025 Residency:
  • Brought together fans of all ages, boosting Puerto Rico’s economy and cultural profile
  • “Apart from the performances…the most special thing about being there was being surrounded by people of all ages…rowdy teens, and then even rowdier elderly women, you know, like, screaming their heads off and like, twerking.” — Susie Exposito [25:14–26:12]
  • His music is “liberating” and inspires joy, inclusivity, and pride [26:49]

7. Activism & Outspokenness

• Vocal on Social Issues:
  • Advocates for LGBTQ and women’s rights, speaks out against anti-immigrant actions and ICE raids [27:45–28:39]
  • At 2026 Grammy speech:
    • “We’re not savage. We’re not animals. We’re not aliens. We are humans, and we are Americans.” — Bad Bunny [28:00]
  • Criticized US government’s neglect after Hurricane Maria, taking messages to international platforms (e.g., Jimmy Fallon, 2018) [29:33]

8. The Super Bowl Halftime Show: A Moment of Triumph

• Significance:
  • Symbolizes validation not just for Bad Bunny, but for Latin music’s global expansion and the communities he represents
  • “It’s about time he headlined his own halftime show… This is also an opportunity for him to boost morale for Latino communities the world over.” — Susie Exposito [30:53]
• Cultural Resonance:
  • His story echoes the American dream and highlights music’s unifying energy
  • “You really don’t need to speak Spanish fluently to feel the current of energy that he channels in his music.” — Susie Exposito [01:39, 32:00]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “You really don’t need to speak Spanish fluently to feel the current of energy that he channels in his music.”
  — Susie Exposito [01:39]
• “He went from working at a grocery store to becoming like the biggest singer MC superstar in the world.”
  — Susie Exposito [02:05, repeated at 30:53]
• “He’s kind of a cartoon character… He comes across as extra goofy and really playful in interviews.”
  — Susie Exposito [13:19–14:31]
• “He’s always put a lot of emphasis on the visuals as well as the sounds.”
  — Susie Exposito [06:24]
• “The only artist who can really outdo Bad Bunny is himself at this point.”
  — Susie Exposito [21:48]
• “You have to get to know Puerto Rico to get to know him. That’s essential.”
  — Susie Exposito [26:49]
• “He’s still a very popular guy. He’s still headlining the Super Bowl halftime show.”
  — Susie Exposito [29:54]
• “This is a huge deal for him as an artist and for Latino communities.”
  — Susie Exposito [30:53]

Segment Timestamps

• 00:04–01:39 – Intro, Bad Bunny’s recent milestones and Super Bowl announcement
• 02:05–05:30 – Susie Exposito on Bad Bunny’s early life, influences, and musical curiosity
• 06:24–10:44 – Grocery store days, SoundCloud breakthrough, and first big collaborations
• 11:03–12:50 – Going global while maintaining cultural authenticity and Spanish language
• 13:19–14:41 – Susie's personal anecdotes about interviewing and meeting Bad Bunny
• 15:03–17:17 – Evolution of Bad Bunny’s style and experimental approach across albums
• 17:23–20:12 – “Tití Me Preguntó” and themes of connection, family, and vulnerability
• 21:48–27:45 – 2025 album and Puerto Rico residency, transformative experience for fans and local economy
• 27:45–30:14 – Activism: LGBTQ+ and women’s rights, immigration, and political outspokenness
• 30:53–32:56 – Super Bowl halftime show’s significance and cultural resonance

Conclusion

This episode underscores Bad Bunny’s unmatched artistry, cross-generational appeal, powerful activism, and the pride he takes in his Puerto Rican roots. His story is both singular and a reflection of broader cultural shifts—NYT journalist Susie Exposito describes him as “the only artist who can really outdo Bad Bunny is himself at this point” [21:48], capturing his ongoing influence just as he steps onto the Super Bowl’s global stage.

For more, check out Susie Exposito’s reporting in the show notes or follow Apple News in Conversation in the Apple News app.