After winning big at the Grammy’s including album of the year with his recent release, “Debí Tirar Más Fotos (I Should Have Taken More Photos),” Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny or, Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio took on the honor of performing at the Super Bowl halftime show.
In recent years, the Super Bowl has been a highly televised platform for artists such as Bad Bunny and even Kenrick Lamar the year prior, to contextualize political themes and statements through their words and visual appeal.
Last year Kendrick Lamar utilized red, white and blue to represent America and use this platform to discuss political issues in the country such as mass incarceration and even racial inequality as present in the lyrics of many of his rap songs.
In lieu of America’s 250th anniversary, Bad Bunny continued this patriotic homage by incorporating Puerto Rican culture throughout his music, choreography and visual set up, yes that includes the individuals who were dressed as tall grass.
The whole performance felt like a block party or a close-knit celebration from the opening to the wedding celebration. Other artists that joined Bad Bunny included Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin who continued to aid in the cultural celebration through their clothing and in Gaga’s case her new rendition of “Die With a Smile.” Some other celebrity appearances included Cardi B and Pedro Pascal who showed their appreciation and support for the lively party and welcoming energy.
Bad Bunny never lost sight of his roots. Not only was the performance a dedication to his homeland and the culture it provides to enrich the United States, but the child actor towards the end also helped represent Benito Antonio’s younger self.
The ending of this performance was by far the most powerful as Bad Bunny held up a football with the words “Together, we are America” as the jumbotron displayed the message “The only thing more powerful than hate is love.”
This is especially important historically as well as today in our political climate. Bad Bunny had spoken out against United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during his Grammy acceptance speech. In the now viral speech, Bad Bunny said, “Um, before I say thanks to God, I’m going to say ICE out.”
He continued his speech by saying, “We’re not savage. We’re not animals. We’re not aliens. We are humans. And we are Americans,” which is exactly what his halftime show encompassed.
This halftime show is here to remind Americans, especially U.S. citizens, that they are just one portion of America and Bad Bunny thanks many Spanish speaking countries in both North and South America to do this.
Americans are the ones willing to put in the work and reflect on the past and present of its culture for their country. Puerto Ricans have just as much influence on the United States as any other citizen and Bad Bunny proved this through his electric performance just in time for America’s 250th birthday.
