Los Angeles, United States. Bad Bunny won the album-of-the-year Grammy on Sunday for “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” becoming the first Spanish-language album to take the top prize. The Puerto Rican performer said he dedicated the award to people who left their homeland to pursue their dreams.
Historic win for “Debí Tirar Más Fotos”
The 31-year-old performer-producer, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, beat Kendrick Lamar and Lady Gaga in a three-way race for his first album-of-the-year Grammy. “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” his sixth studio album and a tribute to Puerto Rico, had been favored after winning album of the year at the Latin Grammys in November.
Political overtones and immigration remarks
The Grammy recognition came amid attention to Bad Bunny’s criticism of Immigration and Customs Enforcement sweeps ordered by U.S. President Donald Trump in cities across the country. Bad Bunny skipped the continental United States on his recent concert tour, saying he feared federal immigration agents would show up to arrest his fans.
Super Bowl halftime show spotlight
Bad Bunny is due to headline the National Football League’s Super Bowl halftime show next Sunday, a high-profile appearance expected to introduce him to a broader English-speaking U.S. audience. His selection has drawn criticism from some traditionalists, including Trump, who called it “absolutely ridiculous” and said he had never heard of Bad Bunny.
Support in 2024 election and additional awards
Bad Bunny openly supported Trump’s Democratic opponent Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential race. Accepting the award for best Latin urban music album for “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” one of five awards he received, he said, “ICE out.”
What do you think Bad Bunny’s Grammy win signals about Spanish-language music in major U.S. awards?
