"A powerful statement on colonialism": Why Bad Bunny's remarkable Super Bowl performance captured global attention
Bad Bunny made history with his Super Bowl halftime show, which was rich in symbolism, proudly celebrating Latin American heritage and Puerto Rican culture on one of the most widely viewed platforms worldwide.
This vibrant performance not only highlighted themes of love, joy, and the experience of diaspora identity but also conveyed a political message during a time when the United States is facing significant division and an escalating crackdown on immigrant communities.
The Puerto Rican rapper was commended for delivering his message in a way that resonates deeply with mainstream audiences—not only in the U.S. but also among communities navigating issues of pride and identity globally—making him the very first Spanish-language Latin solo artist to headline the iconic halftime show.
Experts have pointed out that this halftime show, along with its global reception, marks a "highly significant" moment in cultural history, showcasing the powerful voice of Spanish-speaking individuals within the United States.
Previously, fellow Latin artists, Jennifer Lopez and Shakira, co-headlined the halftime show in 2020, attracting an impressive 103 million viewers, as reported by ESPN. In contrast, Bad Bunny's 13-minute tribute to life in Puerto Rico captivated around 135.4 million viewers, offering them a glimpse into his world.
Kicking off the show with his hit song "Tití Me Preguntó," Bad Bunny began his performance surrounded by laborers clad in pava straw hats, symbolizing sugarcane fields. He then made his way through a lively neighborhood featuring a coconut and taco stand, piragua snow cones, a boxing match, and groups of men engaged in a game of dominoes.
The performance included guest appearances from Lady Gaga, who performed a salsa rendition of "Die With a Smile," and Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin, who sang his song "Lo Que le Pasó a Hawaii."
Cameos were made by notable figures such as Chilean-American actor Pedro Pascal, the Caribbean heritage-imbued Cardi B, and Mexican-American actress Jessica Alba.
As the performance neared its conclusion, Bad Bunny proclaimed, "God bless America," before listing nearly every country across the Americas—from South to North.
Apple Music, which sponsored the show, noted that the halftime press conference became the most-watched in Super Bowl history.
Consuelo Martinez Reyes, a senior lecturer specializing in Spanish and Latin American Studies at Macquarie University, shared with SBS News that it was "a monumental day for Puerto Ricans everywhere and for Latinos in general."
Martínez, herself hailing from Puerto Rico, remarked that Bad Bunny has effectively voiced the challenges faced by those in the diaspora, who often struggle to reconcile their identities with a society that encourages them to conform to surrounding cultures.
"So today, we feel immense pride," she said.
Exploring the Symbolism
Martínez appreciated how the show opened with depictions of people laboring in the fields, followed by the rapper guiding us through the streets, showcasing unique aspects of Puerto Rican culture.
Two key symbols of protest stood out to her. One scene featured acrobats swinging from electricity poles, which seemed to comment on Puerto Rico's ongoing electricity crisis.
The island continues to grapple with the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, which devastated its electrical infrastructure in 2017, leading to frequent power outages nearly a decade later.
"That was significant because Puerto Rico is indeed facing a crisis closely tied to that situation. It speaks to colonialism," Martínez explained.
Despite being a U.S. territory where its citizens are classified as U.S. citizens, Puerto Ricans are unable to participate in general elections, and their congressional representative lacks voting rights.
Martínez also drew attention to Bad Bunny's "God bless America" declaration, which she described as reflecting a common Super Bowl sentiment.
"Yet, he goes on to name every single country in the Americas.
"This moment encapsulates a reality many Latin Americans encounter, needing to clarify that we don't say 'America' when referring to the U.S.; we specify 'the USA' in Spanish because for us, 'the Americas' includes all nations. It’s a beautifully poignant point."
Bad Bunny concluded his performance with the phrase "seguimos aquí," meaning "we're still here."
"This resonates significantly regarding the immigration issues in the U.S., a matter that concerns all of us," Martínez stated.
Overall, she believed the performance struck a "perfect balance" between conveying a political message while allowing English-speaking audiences to enjoy Bad Bunny's music and learn about his culture.
A "Highly Significant" Cultural Moment
Anna Nicola Henger, an academic associated with the Iberian and Latin American Studies Collective, characterized Bad Bunny's performance as a "highly significant" cultural event. The presence of a Spanish-language artist achieving this level of mainstream success underscores the "enormous significance of Spanish-speaking peoples in the United States."
The political status of Puerto Rico and its lack of representation in the U.S. remains a contentious issue, referred to as a "grey zone" filled with tension, Henger explained to SBS News.
While the performance received widespread acclaim, it also faced significant backlash, including criticism from former U.S. President Donald Trump and his supporters. Trump expressed his disapproval on Truth Social, stating the performance "makes no sense, is an affront to the Greatness of America" and claimed that "nobody understands a word this guy is saying."
Henger noted, "This reaction exemplifies what Trump and his supporters consistently tap into: a fabricated notion of what America represents—a kind of utopian white middle-class ideal."
"The reality of U.S. history is immensely diverse, comprising individuals from myriad cultures. Therefore, a performance by Bad Bunny that counters this fabricated narrative would naturally be unwelcome in Trump’s circle."
What do you think about Bad Bunny's impactful performance? Do you see it as a strong statement about identity and representation, or do you believe it misses the mark? Share your thoughts in the comments!
