Bad Bunny named Apple Music Artist of the Year 2022

Previously singled out as an Apple Music Up Next artist, Bad Bunny is now Artist of the Year for having created what Apple says is the biggest Latin album of all time.

Apple has been awarding an Artist of the Year since 2019, and previous recipients have included The Weeknd and Billie Eilish.

In previous years, Apple has singled out several musicians under categories such as Global Artist of the Year, and breakthrough artist. So far for 2022, Apple has chosen to single out solely Bad Bunny.

"We're thrilled to celebrate the achievements of Bad Bunny, whose influence on every corner of culture could not be ignored in 2022," Oliver Schusser, Apple's vice president of Apple Music and Beats, said in a statement.

"Watching Bad Bunny ascend from an Apple Music Up Next artist in 2018 to our Artist of the Year this year has been nothing short of extraordinary," continued Schusser. "We congratulate him on his record-breaking year and for continuing to bring Latin music to a massive global audience."

Apple Music spotlights Bad Bunny

Apple Music has a new dedicated Bad Bunny page, recounting the story of his rise to having the most-streamed album of 2022. The page also includes a new video about the artist, which Bad Bunny page">is available in the Apple Music app and online.

"When I started, I didn't have a global fan base," Bad Bunny says in the new video. "I'm grateful for everything I've accomplished and everything I've experienced."

"The Latin music movement has grown so much," he continued. "I would never take full credit or say, 'It's because of me.' No, it's every one of us. A whole generation. Our energy and presence is always felt."

"Thank you to Apple Music and to all the people who listen to my music every day," said Bad Bunny. "I'm super happy!"

Apple Music 1 is playing "all Bad Bunny, all day," with a series of "new specials, archived programming, early career interviews, and playlists."