{"id":273192,"date":"2026-01-31T05:31:10","date_gmt":"2026-01-31T05:31:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/273192\/"},"modified":"2026-01-31T05:31:10","modified_gmt":"2026-01-31T05:31:10","slug":"greatest-pop-stars-of-2025-no-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/273192\/","title":{"rendered":"Greatest Pop Stars of 2025, No. 1"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n\tFor\u00a0this\u00a0year\u2019s\u00a0update\u00a0of our ongoing\u00a0Greatest Pop Star by Year<\/a>\u00a0project,\u00a0Billboard\u00a0has been counting down our editorial staff picks for the 10\u00a0Greatest Pop Stars of 2025<\/a> all the past two weeks. Last week, we revealed our\u00a0Honorable Mentions <\/a>artists for 2025 as well as our Rookie of the Year<\/a> and Comeback of the Year artists<\/a>. We reach No. 1 on our list with an artist who already topped our rankings once in 2022<\/a>, and arguably had an even greater and more impactful all-around year in 2025: Bad Bunny. <\/p>\n

\n\tListen to our Greatest Pop Stars podcast discussion about Bad Bunny\u2019s stunningly full year here<\/a>, and find the rest of our updating top 10 list with all our corresponding essays and pods here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n\tAfter a meteoric rise that saw him dominate both Latin and global pop with three Billboard No. 1 albums under his belt, Bad Bunny entered 2025 already regarded as one of the most influential artists of his generation. From topping the Billboard 200 with the summer blockbuster Un Verano Sin Ti and the moodier Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Ma\u00f1ana to smashing stadium attendance records with 2022\u2019s World\u2019s Hottest Tour and headlining Coachella 2023, the Puerto Rican superstar had become synonymous with cultural impact. By the end of 2024, he was entrenched at the top of global music. But with a few new singles in December \u2014 minimal EDM-leaning \u201cEl Cl\u00fab\u201d and the j\u00edbara-driven \u201cPitorro de Coco\u201d \u2014 Benito hinted at a new chapter.\u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\tWhile Deb\u00ed Tirar M\u00e1s Fotos began with less fanfare compared to Bad Bunny\u2019s past blockbuster releases, its early reception spoke to the power of good music traveling on its own merits. Dropping at a time of year when the industry is quieter \u2014 just after New Year\u2019s celebrations (Jan. 5) and on the Three Kings\u2019 Day Latin American holiday \u2014 his sixth solo album initially came off as a subdued project. But that perception didn\u2019t last for long: In an almost perfect reflection of its message, rooted in preserving and boosting Puerto Rican identity and culture, the album\u2019s growth came organically, nurtured by word-of-mouth connection and cultural resonance. It became clear that the album was poised for dominance \u2014 and dominate it did. \u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\tWithin weeks of its release, Deb\u00ed Tirar climbed atop the Billboard 200, after debuting at No. 2 \u2014 an outlier compared to his previous three albums (2020\u2019s El \u00daltimo Tour del Mundo, 2022\u2019s Un Verano Sin Ti, and 2023\u2019s Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Ma\u00f1ana), which all debuted in the top spot. Meanwhile, the album\u2019s title track (\u201cDtMF\u201d) \u2014 now with over a billion streams on Spotify \u2014 became a viral cultural phenomenon, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100, as the salsa-driven \u201cBaile Inolvidable\u201d (another billion-stream track today) peaked at No. 3 on the Hot 100, while the dembow-boosted \u201cNuevaYol\u201d cracked the top 10. \u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\tIn Puerto Rico and communities across the diaspora, the album quickly became a cultural touchstone, reflecting a period of political reflection but also an ongoing sense of pride. It also drew rave reviews globally, with Variety claiming<\/a> it\u2019s his \u201cmost determined and resonant work yet,\u201d while Pitchfork stated<\/a> that he\u2019s a \u201cmaster at work,\u201d enacting his \u201cvision for the future of m\u00fasica urbana.\u201d The album also landed at No. 1 on Billboard\u2019s editorial staff\u2019s 50 Best Albums of 2025 <\/a>list, and of course on our staff\u2019s year-end Latin albums list<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\n\tTo support its rising momentum, Bad Bunny embarked on a promotional blitz, kicking off with an exclusive feature in The New York Times on the album\u2019s release day, calling it \u201cthe most Puerto Rican\u201d album he\u2019s ever made. Days later, he sat down with Zane Lowe on Apple Music to describe the deeply personal inspiration and vision behind the project. On The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, he humorously swapped roles with Fallon to interview the late-night host before sharing shots of pitorro (Puerto Rican moonshine). Benito also stepped into the anchor chair for Puerto Rico\u2019s news outlet NotiCentro al Amanecer<\/a> on WAPA TV, bringing national attention to issues close to the island\u2019s heart.<\/p>\n

\n\tOn the music video front, El Conejo Malo took a deliberate approach, unveiling high-concept pieces for over half the album\u2019s tracks, each with its own distinct style and message. \u201cBaile Inolvidable\u201d featured filmmaker Jacobo Morales as an elderly man reminiscing on his youth, transitioning to a younger version of the character, played by Bad Bunny, as he learns to dance salsa with a past love. On Valentine\u2019s Day, \u201cTurista\u201d offered a sharp critique of tourism\u2019s impact on Puerto Rico, with Benito cast as a janitor cleaning up after careless visitors. The introspective \u201cLa Mudanza,\u201d released on his 31st birthday (March 10), explored themes of family heritage, stitching together old family photos. And on the Fourth of July, \u201cNuevaYol\u201d delivered an incisive critique of anti-immigrant policies, featuring a Puerto Rican flag draped over the Statue of Liberty, with Bad Bunny dancing inside.<\/p>\n

\n\tLast July Bad Bunny further showcased his star power beyond music with the release of Happy Gilmore 2 on Netflix. The sequel became an instant hit, racking up 46.7 million views<\/a> during its opening weekend to set the record for the biggest U.S. debut of any Netflix original movie. Benito charmed audiences as Oscar, a busboy-turned-caddy and central comedic figure, standing alongside returning stars Adam Sandler and Christopher McDonald. The film also featured high-profile cameos from NFL tight end Travis Kelce, rap icon Eminem, and professional golfers Rory McIlroy and Scottie Scheffler. His acting run continued in August with a role as a gangster in Caught Stealing, which, while less commercially successful, provided another strong entry in Bad Bunny\u2019s growing film portfolio.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\"Bad<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tKevin Winter\/Getty Images for iHeartRadio<\/p>\n

\n\tThis summer wasn\u2019t just a season of milestones for Bad Bunny\u2019s acting career \u2014 it also marked one of the most ambitious moves of his music career with his No Me Quiero Ir de Aqu\u00ed residency in Puerto Rico. With 30 shows held exclusively at San Juan\u2019s iconic Coliseo de Puerto Rico Jos\u00e9 Miguel Agrelot (El Choli) from July 11 to Sep. 14, the residency generated unprecedented demand, selling 400,000 tickets in just four hours<\/a>. True to its name, meaning \u201cI don\u2019t want to leave here,\u201d Bunny\u2019s decision not to tour globally this summer was a bold one, instead inviting fans from across the world to experience his latest DTMF album on his home turf. The residency served as both a cultural celebration and an economic phenomenon, flooding San Juan with an estimated 200,000<\/a> international visitors and revitalizing the island\u2019s normally slow summer season \u2014 because of the very hot weather. From showcasing the island\u2019s culinary traditions at venue concession stands to creating thousands of local jobs, the residency contributed significantly to Puerto Rico\u2019s culture and economy.<\/p>\n

\n\tThe show itself was a masterclass in celebrating Puerto Rican roots and culture. Dressed in Ta\u00edno-inspired outfits on a stage designed to evoke the lush, green hills of the island, the megastar transitioned through genres. Salsa segments paid homage to icons like H\u00e9ctor Lavoe and the Fania All-Stars, while reggaet\u00f3n moments honored pioneers such as Daddy Yankee, Ivy Queen, and Tego Calder\u00f3n. A standout feature of the production was \u201cLa Casita,\u201d a recreation of a traditional Puerto Rican home \u2014 hosting A-listers like LeBron James, Austin Butler and Kylian Mbapp\u00e9 \u2014 with its roof serving as a second stage. \u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\tBad Bunny\u2019s meteoric rise crossed another monumental milestone on Sep. 28, when the NFL, Apple Music, and Roc Nation announced him as the headliner of the Super Bowl LX halftime show. While Latin stars like Gloria Estefan (in 1992 and 1999), Shakira and Jennifer Lopez (both in 2020 \u2014 with Bunny and J Balvin appearing as guests) have starred in it before, this will mark the first halftime performance headlined by an all-Spanish-language solo artist. Fans celebrated the historic moment, but it didn\u2019t come without controversy, as conservative commentators criticized the decision, questioning his music\u2019s American relevance and pointing to his political pro-immigrant stances.<\/p>\n

\n\tBenito addressed the controversy head-on during his opening monologue as host of Saturday Night Live\u2019s season 51 premiere on Oct. 4. With his irreverent wit, he joked about his performance that, \u201cI think everyone is happy about it \u2014 even Fox News,\u201d before cutting to a satirical montage of supposed praise from Fox anchors: \u201cBad Bunny is my favorite musician, and he should be the next president.\u201d The superstar ended his monologue with a poignant message in Spanish, celebrating the contributions of Latinos to the U.S. while delivering a cheeky challenge to his critics: \u201cIf you didn\u2019t understand what I just said, you have four months to learn.\u201d \u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\tOn Nov. 21, Bad Bunny embarked on his Deb\u00ed Tirar M\u00e1s Fotos World Tour, launching with a sold-out show at the Estadio Ol\u00edmpico F\u00e9lix S\u00e1nchez in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Supporting his 2025 album of the same name, the expansive stadium tour spans Latin America, Australia, and Europe, with dates throughout 2026. The tour has already seen standout moments, with Benito bringing out superstar guests like Romeo Santos in D.R., J Balvin in Mexico, Becky G in Chile, and Karol G in Colombia. Bad Bunny also topped the Billboard Boxscore report<\/a> for December, with nearly $100 million grossed in 2025\u2019s final month. \u00a0<\/p>\n

\n\tBad Bunny capped off the year by earning six nominations for the 68th annual Grammy Awards, including a barrier-breaking nod for Deb\u00ed Tirar M\u00e1s Fotos in the coveted album of the year category, announced Nov. 7. For the first time in Grammy history, a Spanish-language artist received nods in three of the night\u2019s most prestigious categories: album of the year, record of the year and song of the year (the latter two for \u201cDtMF\u201d). These groundbreaking accomplishments underscore Benito\u2019s ongoing mission to expand the boundaries of Spanish-language music on the global stage.<\/p>\n

\n\tAs Billboard\u2019s year-end Global Excl. U.S. chart leader<\/a>, Bad Bunny placed nine titles on the list, and eight on the Global 200 roundup. He ranked No. 7 on the overall year-end Top Artists chart, making him the only Spanish-language act on the Top 30. On the Latin charts, Benito dominated across the board, topping the year-end Hot Latin Songs, Top Latin Albums, among other achievements.<\/p>\n

\n\tAs 2025 drew to a close, Bad Bunny already stood poised for two career-defining moments in early 2026: the Grammys on Feb. 1 and the Super Bowl LX halftime show on Feb. 8. The proximity of these events invites comparison to Kendrick Lamar\u2019s remarkable start to 2025<\/a> \u2014 following his own 2024 Greatest Pop Stars-topping<\/a> campaign \u2014 when he claimed five Grammys and delivered a show-stopping halftime performance days later. Will Bad Bunny use February to further redefine what global superstardom means for a Spanish-language artist \u2014 and in doing so, cement his place in the broader history of pop culture? Whether he takes home his first major Grammy(s) or delivers one of the most unforgettable halftime shows in history, the world may soon find out that 2025 was merely the prelude to Bad Bunny\u2019s true takeover.<\/p>\n

\n\tListen to our Bad Bunny Greatest Pop Stars of 2025<\/a> podcast discussion here<\/a> \u2014 and check back for new episodes<\/a> on the 2026 Greatest Pop Stars race all year, starting next week with a discussion of January in pop stardom! <\/p>\n

\t\t\t<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"<\/p>\n

\t\t\t<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"For\u00a0this\u00a0year\u2019s\u00a0update\u00a0of our ongoing\u00a0Greatest Pop Star by Year\u00a0project,\u00a0Billboard\u00a0has been counting down our editorial staff picks for the 10\u00a0Greatest Pop…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":273193,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[28],"tags":[93,17654,821,126829,61,60,278],"class_list":["post-273192","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-music","tag-entertainment","tag-genre-latin","tag-genre-pop","tag-greatest-pop-stars-of-2025","tag-ie","tag-ireland","tag-music"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/273192","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=273192"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/273192\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/273193"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=273192"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=273192"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=273192"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}