Bad Bunny becomes the first Latino to win Artist of the Year at the 2022 MTV VMAs

• Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny makes history.
• He won Artist of the Year at the VMAs.
• Bad Bunny gave an emotional message to his fans.

History was made at the Prudential Center pavilion in Newark, New Jersey where music, euphoria and a parade of iconic celebrities were present on the black carpet. One of the major highlights of the night was when Bad Bunny became the first Latino to win Artist of the Year at the 2022 VMAs.

The 2022 MTV Video Music Awards were full of surprises. One of the biggest was when the reggaeton singer of the moment took the spotlight and won one of the greatest awards in the music industry.

There was stiff competition

PHOTO: Getty Images

This year, Bad Bunny was nominated in four categories at the VMAs which aired on MTV. Benito was nominated for: Artist of the Year, Best Latin Song, Song of the Summer and Album of the Year, according to Milenio.

Although Bad Bunny only won in a single category, he undoubtedly took home the most important and coveted award of the night. He was nominated with artists such as Drake, Ed Sheeran, Harry Styles, Jack Harlow, Lil Nas X and Lizzo (the only woman).

Bad Bunny received his award while giving a show in NY

PHOTO: Getty Images

According to AP, at the beginning of the night it was announced Bad Bunny would do his performance at the VMAs remotely, live from Yankee Stadium in New York as he was giving one of his shows on his World’s Hottest Tour.

The Puerto Rican rapper began with one of his latest hit, Titi me preguntó just after he was announced as the winner of the Artist of the Year award. He was very surprised when they gave him his award at the end.

“From Puerto Rico to the whole world”

PHOTO: Getty Images

«From the bottom of my heart I can’t describe what I’m feeling, the pride I feel being here tonight at the Yankee stadium receiving this award,» Bad Bunny said as he got a standing ovation from the crowd that had just sung his song with him.

“I always said and knew that I could become a huge artist without changing my culture, my slang and my language. I am Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, from Puerto Rico to the world!” concluded Bad Bunny, according to AP.

Bad Bunny becomes the first Latino to win Artist of the Year at the VMAs

PHOTO: Getty Images

According to CNN, this is the first time that a non-English language artist won this award which was presented for the first time in 2017 after the categories of Best Female Artist and Best Male Artist were eliminated. It has previously been won by Ed Sheeran, Camila Cabello, Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber and now Bad Bunny joins the list.

Benito has maintained his popularity thanks to his innovative style in addition to being a unique representative of Latin music and his native Puerto Rico sharing their culture, traditions and a bit of his origins in each of his songs.