Ozuna
Ozuna – Life, Career, and Notable Moments
Discover the story of Ozuna—Puerto Rican reggaeton and Latin trap superstar. Learn about his early life, rise in the music world, major albums, impact, and controversies in this full profile.
Introduction
Juan Carlos Ozuna Rosado, known simply as Ozuna (born March 13, 1992), is a Puerto Rican singer, songwriter, and occasional actor. He is one of the leading figures in Latin urban music, blending reggaeton, trap latino, pop, R&B, and more. He has enjoyed both commercial success and influence in shaping modern Latin music.
Early Life and Family
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Ozuna was born on March 13, 1992, in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
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His father was Dominican and his mother Puerto Rican.
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When Ozuna was three years old, his father—who had worked as a dancer for the reggaeton artist Vico C—was tragically killed.
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After his father’s death, due to his mother’s economic difficulties, Ozuna was primarily raised by his paternal grandmother.
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He grew up in modest circumstances. His grandmother instilled a strong work ethic, emphasizing that nothing is simply given—“you have to work for what you get.”
Youth, Influences & Musical Beginnings
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From a young age, Ozuna was exposed to Latin genres—salsa, bachata—as well as reggaeton and hip hop.
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He decided early on that he wanted to become a singer; by age 12 he was writing music and performing locally.
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His uncle gave him his first microphone, which encouraged him to experiment with rap and singing.
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In 2010, Ozuna moved to Washington Heights, New York City to pursue music. While there, he learned to produce and promote his own music videos—even with small budgets.
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After several years, he returned to Puerto Rico to push his career further.
Career and Achievements
Rise to Prominence (2012–2016)
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Ozuna’s first recorded songs date from 2012, when he released “Imaginando.”
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Early in his career, he worked with producers Musicólogo & Menes.
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In 2014, he signed with Golden Family Records and began distributing songs via YouTube and social media.
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He steadily built a fanbase in Puerto Rico, performing many shows and releasing singles that attracted attention.
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Collaborations and remixes helped him gain exposure—songs like “La Ocasión” (with DJ Luian, Mambo Kingz, De La Ghetto, Arcángel, Anuel AA) were important in his breakthrough.
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One song, “Dile Que Tú Me Quieres,” garnered radio play and chart success in the Latin market, acting as a turning point.
Major Albums and Global Success
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In 2017, Ozuna signed with Sony Music Latin and released his debut studio album Odisea.
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Odisea spent many weeks topping the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart.
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His second album Aura (2018) debuted at #7 on the US Billboard 200.
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He contributed to hits like “Taki Taki” (with DJ Snake, Cardi B, Selena Gomez), which expanded his reach across global charts.
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Following albums include Nibiru (2019), ENOC (2020), and OzuTochi (2022).
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He also released a collaborative album with Anuel AA titled Los Dioses (2021).
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Over his career, Ozuna has sold over 15 million records globally, making him one of the best-selling Latin artists.
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He has earned multiple awards: Latin Grammy Awards, Billboard Latin Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards, and Guinness World Records.
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In 2019, Time magazine named him among the 100 most influential people in the world.
Acting & Other Ventures
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Ozuna has also worked in film: he made his acting debut in Que León and appeared in F9 (Fast & Furious 9).
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He has invested beyond music: in 2022, he became owner of the Manatí Bears basketball team in Puerto Rico’s top league.
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He runs a charitable initiative called Odisea Children, supporting children’s causes and hospital visits.
Style, Themes & Artistic Identity
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Ozuna is often described as melodic and versatile—able to sing as a balladeer or rap with a trap edge.
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He draws from a rich palette: reggaeton, trap latino, R&B, pop, and even rock and bachata influences.
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Unlike many in urban genres, Ozuna often avoids lyrics that overtly objectify women—he aims for broader appeal across audiences.
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His logo (a teddy bear wearing a hoodie) and friendly image contrast with harder edges of some peers in the genre.
Personal Life
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Ozuna is married to Taina Marie Meléndez, and they have two children: Sofía and Jacob Andrés.
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He considers himself a typical “boricua” with Dominican heritage.
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He is a collector of watches, which he calls one of his greatest investments.
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In 2022, Ozuna expanded into sports by acquiring ownership in a basketball team (Osos de Manatí).
Controversies & Challenges
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In 2017, Ozuna was arrested (alongside his team) at Bogotá’s El Dorado Airport after an altercation; this led to canceled concerts.
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In a 2017 New York concert, he struck a security guard with a microphone. He later expressed regret.
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Also in 2017, he was near a scene in which a friend was fatally shot; his vehicle was seized during the investigation, and he reportedly received death threats.
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In 2019, Ozuna confirmed he was a victim of an extortion attempt involving an explicit video from when he was a minor. The FBI investigated.
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Some critics have raised concerns about lyrics, collaborations, or decisions in his public life; as with many major artists, his career includes both acclaim and scrutiny.
Impact and Legacy
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Ozuna has helped push Latin urban music further into the global mainstream.
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His cross-genre flexibility paved the way for many younger Latin artists to experiment without being pigeonholed into a single style.
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He maintains strong digital and streaming presence; YouTube view counts, Spotify streams, and social media have all been cornerstones of his approach.
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Despite controversies, his story from hardship to international stardom is inspiring to many fans across Latin America and beyond.
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His philanthropic efforts (Odisea Children) show a commitment to giving back to communities that relate to his own roots.
Selected Notable Songs & Albums
Albums:
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Odisea (2017)
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Aura (2018)
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Nibiru (2019)
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ENOC (2020)
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OzuTochi (2022)
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Los Dioses (with Anuel AA, 2021)
Notable Tracks & Collaborations:
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“Se Preparó”
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“Tu Foto”
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“Taki Taki” (DJ Snake, Cardi B, Selena Gomez)
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“China” (with Anuel AA, Daddy Yankee, Karol G, J Balvin)
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“Yo x Ti, Tú x Mi” (winner of Latin Grammy Awards)