With over 20 billion Spotify streams and a global fan base, Bad Bunny has reshaped music, and the fact that people doubt he deserves the Super Bowl stage says more about them than him.
Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, known worldwide as Bad Bunny, is one of the most influential Latin artists of this generation.
He is famous for his Latin trap sound, which is a subgenre of hip-hop that began in Puerto Rico. It combines trap beats with reggaeton and other Latin urban sounds. He is often referred to as “the king of Latin trap.”
This halftime show is a brilliant idea. It’s great to see new voices take the stage, especially ones that aren’t scared to stand for what they believe in. Bad Bunny has never been afraid to speak on politics, openly criticizing the American government through his music and advocating for Puerto Rican independence and equality.
The Super Bowl halftime performance is supposed to be exciting and influential, but some people are hesitant this year. People can have their opinions, but it’s become obvious that what some call “opinions” are really just discrimination.
This halftime show is a chance to highlight culture and bring new perspectives to one of the biggest stages in the world. Critics are claiming that Bad Bunny isn’t “American” enough, and that they should have a U.S. artist.
Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory, which means Bad Bunny is an American citizen. We’ve also had performers in the past who weren’t U.S. citizens, but no one seemed to complain then.
Past performances that were not U.S. citizens:
- The Weeknd (Canada)
- Shakira (Colombia)
- Rihanna (Barbados)
- Coldplay (United Kingdom)
Bad Bunny is known to be very outspoken and uses his platform to advocate for global issues. His song “Estamos Bien” highlights how the U.S. failed to respond adequately after Hurricane Maria.
He sings in Spanish: “We’re good (yeh, hey) / There’s hundred-dollar bills to spare (wouh-uh-uh) / There’s nothing wrong, we’re good, everything’s good, hey.”
It’s upbeat, but very political. He also sang the song on “The Tonight Show” in 2018. Before singing, he said: “After a year, there’s still people without electricity in their homes. More than 3,000 people died and Trump is still denying it.”
Bad Bunny chose not to tour in the U.S. due to concerns of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement potentially waiting outside venues. He has been criticized on the internet for this, just as he is being criticized for performing at the Super Bowl. President Donald Trump is proving his point, making it clear ICE agents could be at the Super Bowl.
His performance is going to be very political, and that’s a good thing. It’s a good thing because our world is in need of a wake-up call. These political statements deserve to be spoken about, and people need to start talking about the issues our country is facing.
Ironically, the uproar will only make his performance more powerful. I would guess it will be similar to Kendrick Lamar’s halftime performance. The hate will only fuel his artistry.
It’s unsettling that Turning Point USA feels the need to host a “True American halftime show,” suggesting that Bad Bunny, a proud Puerto Rican and U.S. citizen, isn’t American enough for the stage.
Some people are angry that Bad Bunny didn’t stand during “God Bless America” at a Yankees game, ignoring the fact that it’s not the national anthem and there’s no rule requiring anyone to stand.
It seems that anything he does right now is wrong. People are using this as an excuse to be hateful.
But, this hate is only driving his passion. He said on “Saturday Night Live” that we have four months to learn Spanish, which is hilarious. It’s a way of saying, “I’m here, and you now have to deal with it.”
He is very vocal about his love for his culture, which is such a beautiful thing. It is sad that in this day and age, people are criticized for being their true, authentic selves. The racism is showing, and we need to learn to respect one another.
