Bad Bunny: The "King of Pop"? Nah, The Mainstream Colonizer

Bad Bunny is undeniably one of the biggest names in music right now. With his unique style, he’s managed to make genres like reggaeton and trap go global. But here's the thing: calling Bad Bunny the "King of Pop" isn’t just wrong, it’s actually an insult to pop music history.

Who owns the "Pop King" crown?

The title of "King of Pop" has a very specific meaning—it's a legacy that has already been set in stone. No one has ever combined talent, innovation, and success like Michael Jackson. Along with him, Madonna and Britney Spears have cemented their place in pop royalty. Their cultural impact is undeniable, and that crown? It’s theirs. End of story.

Bad Bunny, but in a different lane

Bad Bunny has absolutely shaken up the Latin music scene, and in his own way, he’s been the mainstream colonizer. His ability to take reggaeton and trap and make them go viral worldwide is nothing short of impressive. He’s done what seemed impossible: bringing the Latin sound into the heart of global pop culture. But... does that make him the "King of Pop"?

The answer is no.

Bad Bunny doesn’t do pop, he does trap, reggaeton, and Latin music. And that's totally fine. It's amazing. His success doesn’t depend on fitting into a mold. But pop, as we know it, is still something else. It's an evolution of the sound that Michael Jackson, Madonna, and Britney Spears helped define, and today’s pop is still marked by artists who mix electronic sounds and catchy melodies with lyrics everyone can vibe to. Bad Bunny? Not so much.

The controversy over an unnecessary title

Here’s the thing: Bad Bunny himself isn’t even fully on board with the "King of Pop" label. In his song "Nuevayol", he actually questions how he could be considered the "King of Pop" when his music is rooted in reggaeton and dembow, genres that are far from the traditional pop sound. Instead of claiming the crown, Bad Bunny is calling out the whole idea of comparing him to legends like Michael Jackson. And honestly, that makes way more sense.

Comparing yourself to Michael Jackson only highlights the massive differences between their artistry. MJ revolutionized the game with his vocals, choreography, and global influence. Bad Bunny is doing his own thing, and that’s what makes him unique, but it doesn’t mean he’s the "King of Pop."

Pop royalty still belongs to them

The truth is, pop as a genre is still evolving. Today, artists like Sabrina Carpenter, Charli XCX, and Dua Lipa are carrying the flag for modern pop, mixing classic pop elements with fresh new sounds. Unlike Bad Bunny, these artists stay true to what we consider the mainstream pop everyone knows, which is why they continue to reign in the pop world.

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Bad Bunny’s success is undeniable

His music has had an incredible global impact, and no one can argue that he’s brought Latin music to the world in a way it’s never been seen before. Thanks to him, reggaeton and trap are no longer just niche genres—they’ve become part of global culture. But Bad Bunny doesn’t need the “King of Pop” title to be recognized as an icon. He already has his own crown in his genre, and that’s enough.

What we need to understand is that pop, as we know it, has a deeper meaning. Bad Bunny is a king in his own lane, but the "King of Pop" title is something that still belongs to the likes of Michael Jackson, Madonna, and Britney Spears.

The “King of Pop” crown is already claimed, but Bad Bunny is the "King of Reggaeton" and the "Mainstream Colonizer".