Puerto Rican rapper and singer Bad Bunny blasted US federal immigration agents during his Grammys acceptance speech on Sunday, declaring “ICE out” and urging respect for immigrants’ humanity.
The rapper, dubbed the “King of Latin Trap”, made history as his “Debi Tirar Mas Fotos” became the first Spanish-language project to win the Album of the Year award.
Historic win for Latin mainstream music
Visibly emotional in his seat, Bad Bunny later delivered a primarily Spanish speech honouring the Puerto Rican people.
“I want to dedicate this award to all the people that had to leave their homeland, their country, to follow their dreams,” Bad Bunny said in English.
During his acceptance remarks for Best Música Urbana Album, the singer also spoke out against ICE’s actions.
“Before I say thanks to God, I’m gonna say ‘ICE out’,” he said.
“We’re not savages, we’re not animals, we’re not aliens; we are humans and we are Americans.”
The singer has been vocal in his criticism of United States President Donald Trump’s administration, particularly over its violent immigration policies.
His selection as the 2026 Super Bowl halftime headliner also sparked backlash from right-wing conservatives, including US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
On his most recent tour, the Puerto Rican star avoided stops in the continental US, explaining that he worried federal agents might raid, target, or detain his fans at the shows.
“I’ve enjoyed connecting with Latinos who have been living in the US, but specifically, for a residency here in Puerto Rico, when we are an incorporated territory of the US… People from the US could come here to see the show,” he told Rolling Stone on September 10, 2025.
“But there was the issue of – like, fucking ICE could be outside [my concert]. And it’s something that we were talking about and very concerned about.”
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Artists rally against ICE
Other celebrities also condemned ICE federal agents during the awards night, with many of those who attended donning an “ICE out” button on their outfits.
This stemmed from the increasingly violent and controversial federal immigration enforcement actions in Minnesota, which have resulted in federal agents shooting dead two US citizens, sparking protests from thousands of residents.
Billie Eilish was also noted to have been wearing the pin. She then used the stage to speak out against ICE.
“As grateful as I feel, I honestly don’t feel like I need to say anything, but that no one is illegal on stolen land,” the singer said after winning the Song of the Year for “Wildflower”.
“It’s just really hard to know what to say and what to do right now. I feel like we just need to keep fighting and speaking up and protesting and our voices really do matter, and the people matter.”
Meanwhile, Cuban-American singer-songwriter and actress Gloria Estefan expressed fear and worry in her acceptance speech for the best tropical Latin album.
“I don’t think anyone would say we want a free-for-all at the border, but what is happening is not at all ‘criminals being arrested’.”
“These are people that have families, that have contributed to this country for decades, little children. There are hundreds of children in detention centres. It’s inhumane.”
“I don’t recognise my country at this moment,” she said in an AFP report.
Other artists, including Shaboozey, Olivia Dean, and SZA, likewise shared their reactions and sentiments, tying their wins to broader calls for justice and change, while honouring immigrants’ contributions to the world.
From Latin trap to redefining the mainstream
Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, is widely recognised for bringing Spanish-language rap into the global mainstream culture.
He was raised in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, to a truck driver father and a schoolteacher mother.
The 31-year-old star began his rise to fame with the release of his 2016 track “Diles”, which earned him a recording deal with Hear This Music.
From there, he gained wider recognition with high-profile collaborations, including a feature on Cardi B’s Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper “I Like It” alongside J Balvin and his own top-10 hit “Mía” with Drake.
In 2022, his “Un verano sin ti” became the first-ever Spanish-language work to receive a nomination for the Grammy’s Album of the Year, though he didn’t clinch the award then.
The album, which is a vibrant mix of folkloric influences, salsa grooves and reggaeton beats, delves into the complexities of Puerto Rican identity in a colonial reality.
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Anna Ferraz