There’s a good chance you’ve heard The Puerto Rico Song by now.
It’s everywhere. TikTok dances, Instagram Reels, holiday videos, and probably stuck in your head too!
It could be the song of summer 2026!
The Puerto Rico Song is so catchy!
But many of you may not realise it’s an AI-generated song.
The song was created by Bill Stiteler, a content creator from Pennsylvania. Inspired by a trip to Puerto Rico, he wrote the lyrics himself and then used the AI music platform Suno to generate the music, vocals, and production. The singer you hear isn’t a real person. It’s an AI-created character called SaxBoyBilly.
Here he is talking to ABC News’ Good Morning America.
The numbers are remarkable.
Within weeks of release, more than 46,000 TikTok videos had used the sound.
The trend attracted celebrities including Charlie Puth, Luke Combs, Jennifer Love Hewitt, AJ McLean of the Backstreet Boys and members of O-Town, helping push the song even further into the mainstream.
One report noted that TikTok users had muted the audio more than 4 million times, a sign of just how widely the sound was being reused across the platform.
The Puerto Rico Song may become a landmark case in AI music because it demonstrates that:
- A non-musician can create a global hit.
- Personality and distribution can matter more than musical complexity.
- AI-generated songs are beginning to compete with traditional music for cultural attention.
For marketers, it’s a fascinating example of how a simple idea, a strong hook and platform-native distribution can outperform highly produced content. The AI generated the music, but the viral insight came from the human creator.
If you want to build your AI literacy and skills, I can help
📚 Grab AI Playbook on Amazon, the perfect podcast companion.
📰 Subscribe to Human in the Loop, my LinkedIn Newsletter
🎓 Take the CPD Accredited AI Playbook Diploma
📞 Book a call at digitaltraining.ie
About the Podcast Host
AI and Communications Specialist | Author | Podcaster | International Speaker
Joanne Sweeney is a recognised leader in digital marketing and digital transformation, specialising in the practical application of AI to enhance communication strategies. The founder of Digital Training Institute, Joanne, empowers leaders and communications professionals to leverage AI responsibly and effectively, ensuring transparency, trust, and tangible results.
She completed the Harvard Kennedy School Executive Programme in AI and Public Policy this summer before launching her fourth book AI Playbook, in September. Joanne has also published two editions of Public Sector Marketing Pro, which were preceded by her first title, Social Media Under Investigation Law Enforcement and the Social Web.
Her books have become go-to resources for governments, public sector and policing agencies, as well as marketing and communications professionals, all navigating the challenges of the changing Internet.
Joanne is the host of the AI SIX Podcast, a daily six-minute podcast that provides actionable insights, expert interviews, and practical advice to help professionals navigate the new world of work.
