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\n\tBad Bunny<\/a>\u00a0was recognized Thursday (Oct. 23) as the Top Latin Artist of the 21st Century at the 2025 Billboard Latin Music Awards, in one of the ceremony\u2019s most emotional moments. <\/p>\n \n\tRita Moreno<\/a>, the nonagenarian Puerto Rican Hollywood legend, surprised Bad Bunny on stage by presenting him with the trophy. \u201cToday I see an artist who brings to the entire world that same strength, that same passion that helped me never give up,\u201d Moreno remarked, as Bad Bunny looked on from the audience. \u201cIt moves me from the bottom of my heart, Benito, to present you with the Billboard Latin Artist of the 21st Century Award, Bad Bunny!\u201d<\/p>\n The prestigious honor is based on his unparalleled achievements on\u00a0Billboard<\/em>\u2019s\u00a0Top Latin Albums and Hot Latin Songs charts<\/a>\u00a0throughout the first 25 years of the century. As he went up to accept his award, the two danced briefly together to the rhythm of \u201cBaile Inolvidable,\u201d creating a magical moment.<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cI respect you a lot, I admire you a lot, wow,\u201d Bad Bunny told Moreno. \u201cFollowing your words, every time I hear other artists express themselves that way about me, it gives me the confidence that being myself and doing the things I do from the heart will always be a great decision, because that\u2019s what I\u2019ve done since day one, discovering who I am and what I represent.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\t\u201cI accept this award with pride because I know how hard I\u2019ve worked, not only myself, but everyone on my team,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m aware that this award could have been for any of the artists here tonight who have also contributed to Latin music, who have inspired me, who are why I\u2019m here, and those who are dreaming of being here. I will always identify with those artists because I consider myself a young man who continues to dream, with many goals and things to do.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tHe added: \u201cWhat I\u2019m saying now, I\u2019m saying from the heart. I didn\u2019t have any practiced words. I still don\u2019t understand, among so many artists, why me? But I\u2019m grateful. This is yours because you have me here. I don\u2019t know, God wanted me to receive it because it doesn\u2019t feed my ego. I receive it without arrogance, very humbly, and I will remain the same.\u201d<\/p>\n \n\tThe excitement had begun moments earlier, when, after the presentation video was shown, Los Pleneros de la Cresta appeared singing their hit collaboration \u201cCaf\u00e9 con Ron\u201d in the halls of the James L. Knight Center in Miami \u2014 from where the show was airing live via Telemundo. <\/p>\n \n\tWith historic consistency, the multi-platinum Puerto Rican superstar has shattered records in Latin music on the\u00a0Billboard\u00a0<\/em>charts and beyond. His last four albums \u2014\u00a0Deb\u00ed Tirar M\u00e1s Fotos<\/em>\u00a0(2025),\u00a0Nadie Sabe Lo Que Va a Pasar Ma\u00f1ana<\/em>\u00a0(2023),\u00a0Un Verano Sin Ti\u00a0<\/em>(2022), and\u00a0El \u00daltimo Tour del Mundo<\/em>\u00a0(2020) \u2014\u00a0have all earned unprecedented No. 1s on the all-genre Billboard 200. Beyond the charts, Bad Bunny\u2019s recent concert series at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico marked a milestone by breaking records for its magnitude and\u00a0economic impact<\/a>.<\/p>\n \n\tHe has become a cultural icon, breaking barriers in fashion, film, and music \u2014 from co-chairing the Met Gala to collaborating with soccer megastar Lionel Messi on a\u00a0groundbreaking Adidas partnership<\/a>\u00a0\u2014 as well as starring in film projects alongside acclaimed directors and actors.<\/p>\n