Bad Bunny turns Latin music into cultural conversation in China

What happened In a market ruled by Mandopop and Cantopop, Bad Bunny has made history as the first Latin artist to top China’s music charts. In early February, his project DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS (DtMF), meaning “I should have taken more photos,” reached No. 1 on Apple Music’s album chart in the country, a testament to his booming global popularity. As of February 17, the title track “DtMF” remains in the top 100 songs on the platform in China, trailing hits from mainland and Hong Kong powerhouses like Jay Chou, Eason Chan, and G.E.M. This achievement followed his 2026 Grammy win for album of the year on February 1 and preceded his Super Bowl LX halftime show on February 8. The performance — which also sparked conversation in China — was rich in political symbolism and hyperlocal references, from sugarcanes fields and piraguas (shaved ice stands) to broken power poles, highlighting protests against long-lasting power outages in the artist’s native Puerto Rico. In a recent interview, the 31-year-old artist acknowledged his cross-cultural appeal: “There’s a lot of people that love me around the world, not just the Latinos. You just said that I’m No. 1 in China, right? So Chinese people love me also.” The Jing Take Although Apple Music holds a small share of China’s music market, Bad Bunny’s breakthrough is still notable in a country where Spanish-language music remains niche. On Xiaohongshu (RedNote), Chinese netizens shared mixed reactions to his recent Super Bowl performance. While some questioned the lyrics, citing unfamiliarity with Latin American culture and language, others praised the visuals, energy, and underlying message. “If I were Hispanic, I would definitely be crying while watching this on TV. It’s so full of national pride,” one user commented under a translated video of the performance. Another wrote, “Latin style is all about passion and exuberance, with lyrics that are simple and body language that speaks louder than words… the complete opposite of us.” While some lyrics may be lost in translation, that hasn’t stopped Chinese listeners from engaging. On Xiaohongshu, the hashtag “badbunny” has accumulated nearly 40 million views as users post translations of his songs, analyze lyrics in relation to Chinese expressions, and share covers. On TikTok, a video of a senior dance club in Chengdu grooving to “DtMF” has gone viral with over 4.5 million views. This growing enthusiasm for reggaeton is also influencing formal Spanish study. At Barcelona’s Universitat Pompeu Fabra, enrollment by students of Chinese origin in translation and language sciences classes has increased 37% over the past five years, with the largest concentration in Chinese-Spanish studies. Spanish is also increasingly offered as a foreign language in China, with programs available in more than 100 university faculties, according to China’s Ministry of Education. It should be noted that Latin music, while not mainstream, is hardly new in China. The country has its share of Latin dance scenes and music festivals, along with creatives like Hong Kong-based DJ Gia Fu, who blends traditional Chinese guzheng sounds with salsa rhythms. Renowned director Wong Kar-wai is also known for incorporating Latin music in his films, paving the way for Chinese audiences to engage with the genre. With his immense popularity, Bad Bunny has amplified that reach, bringing reggaeton and Latin trap to a wider audience while sparking curiosity about the language, culture, and history that underpin his repertoire. The Jing Take reports on a piece of the leading news and presents our editorial team’s analysis of the key implications for the luxury industry. In the recurring column, we analyze everything from product drops and mergers to heated debate sprouting on Chinese social media.

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Bad Bunny turns Latin music into cultural conversation in China