Bad Bunny promised that “the world will dance” during his memorable Apple Music halftime performance at Super Bowl LX on Sunday – and he delivered on that promise and more.
On the heels of making history after his album “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” became the first Spanish-language album to win Album of the Year at the Grammys last week, the Latin superstar continued his historic streak by delivering a rocking performance at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
The sizzling set Not only was it the first time Bad Bunny headlined the Super Bowl, it was also the first time a Latino and Spanish-speaking artist headlined the Super Bowl halftime show as a solo act.
Bad Bunny wasn’t completely alone, however. He brought out Lady Gaga for a Latin-inspired rendition of her and Bruno Mars’ “Die With a Smile.” Ricky Martin, a singer of Puerto Rican descent best known for sparking an explosion of Latin music in the ’90s, emerged as a special guest.
Not only did Bad Bunny bring some excitement to those guests, but he also surprised fans during his performance with multiple celebrity cameos, including Karol G, Cardi B, Jessica Alba, Alix Earle and Pedro Pascal. He also paid tribute to other artists, with nods to songs like Daddy Yankee’s “Gasolina.”
Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, sang entirely in Spanish, making him the first halftime show performer to do so.
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Bad Bunny took the stage in all white, with a field of sugar cane surrounding him. Dancers showed off their best moves to his arsenal of tunes, including “Tití Me Preguntó,” “Monaco,” “Party” and “Safaera.”
A variety of scenes paid tribute to Puerto Rican culture, with older men playing dominoes and others in the background enjoying piragua, a traditional Puerto Rican dessert with shaved ice. A couple also got married on stage, standing together and holding hands in front of a wedding officiant. The wedding was 100% real, according to variety and Rohan Nadkarni of NBC Sports.
Bad Bunny also said “God Bless America” before shouting out each Latin American country individually, including Puerto Rico, Mexico and Bolivia.
The six-time Grammy winner then took the perfect swipe at his critics when a giant billboard behind him displayed the words, “The only thing more powerful than hate is love.”
Bad Bunny’s selection to perform at the Super Bowl, announced in September, drew immediate backlash from right-wing commentators, many of whom complained about his Spanish-language music and condemnation of President Donald Trump’s immigration policies.
The outcry prompted the right-wing organization Turning Point USA to announce what it billed as an “All-American Halftime Show” to compete with Bad Bunny’s halftime show. Trump supporter Kid Rock headlined the Turning Point USA event.
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While accepting the Grammy for Best Música Urbana Album for “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” earlier this month, Bad Bunny took a dig at Trump and his deadly immigration policies.
“Before I thank God, I want to say: ICE out,” he said, referring to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. “We are not wild. We are not animals. We are not aliens. We are humans, and we are Americans. The hate becomes more powerful with more hate.”
Bad Bunny added, “The only thing more powerful than hate is love. So please, we have to be different. When we fight, we have to do it with love. Yes. We don’t hate them. We love our people, we love our family, and that’s the way to do it, with love. Don’t forget that, please.”
The singer dedicated his Grammy win to “all the people who had to leave their homeland – their country – to follow their dreams.”
In characteristic fashion, the president trashed Bad Bunny’s performance in the long run Truth Social Post on Sunday.
“The Super Bowl Halftime Show is absolutely awful, one of the worst EVER! It makes no sense, is an insult to the greatness of America and does not represent our standards of success, creativity or excellence,” part of the president’s message read.
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Bad Bunny is no stranger to lighting up the Super Bowl stage. In 2020, he joined Jennifer Lopez and Shakira as a special guest during their Emmy-winning Super Bowl halftime act.
Green Day, Charlie Puth, Coco Jones and Brandi Carlile also graced the Super Bowl stage before kickoff.
