Lousy Bunny is set to make history this Sunday at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, becoming the first Spanish-language Latin solo artist to headline the Super Bowl halftime indicate.
A Historic First
This performance comes less than a month after Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, achieved another milestone: winning the Grammy for album of the year for “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS,” the first all-Spanish-language album to receive the honor on February 1st. He previously performed at the Super Bowl in 2020 alongside Shakira and Jennifer Lopez.
Cultural Significance and Controversy
According to Petra Rivera-Rideau and Vanessa Díaz, co-authors of “P FKN R: How Bad Bunny Became the Global Voice of Puerto Rican Resistance,” this performance represents a recent milestone. Bad Bunny will also be the first reggaeton artist to headline the Super Bowl halftime show. Interpreter Celimar Rivera Cosme will provide a multilingual signing program featuring Puerto Rican Sign Language during the performance.
The artist has been outspoken on political issues, including the U.S. Government’s response to Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico in 2018 and demanding justice in the killing of Alexa, a trans woman in Puerto Rico, in 2020. He was among artists at the Grammys who made “ICE out” statements. This has led to criticism from some, including conservative commentator Tomi Lahren, who questioned whether Bad Bunny is an “American artist.” (Puerto Rico is an American territory and Puerto Ricans are U.S. Citizens.)
What to Expect
Bad Bunny previewed the show, stating he intends to bring “a lot of my culture” and wants viewers to “have fun.” He joked about a previous suggestion that non-Spanish speakers learn the language before the performance, saying, “They don’t even have to learn Spanish. It is better if they learn to dance.”
Additional Performances
Green Day will kick off the Super Bowl’s opening ceremony. Charlie Puth will sing the national anthem, Brandi Carlile will sing “America the Beautiful,” and Coco Jones will perform “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
How to Watch
The game begins at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT, with the halftime show expected around 8-8:30 p.m. ET. Viewers can watch on NBC and stream on Peacock. The game will also be available in Spanish on Telemundo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is performing at the Super Bowl halftime show?
Bad Bunny is the headliner of the Super Bowl 60 halftime show, making history as the first Spanish-language Latin solo artist to perform in this slot.
Has Bad Bunny performed at the Super Bowl before?
Yes, Bad Bunny performed at the Super Bowl in 2020 alongside Shakira and Jennifer Lopez.
Why has Bad Bunny’s performance generated controversy?
Bad Bunny’s performance has drawn criticism from some conservative commentators, and he has been vocal about political issues, including immigration and Puerto Rico.
As Bad Bunny prepares to take the stage, what impact do you believe this performance will have on the broader representation of Latin artists in mainstream American music?
