Bad Bunny’s halftime show for Super Bowl LX was not only wildly successful, with preliminary reports estimating that it may be the most-watched halftime show of all time; it was also a case of innovative storytelling. The reggaeton artist also made history by being the first Latin artist to headline the event. Even though his performance was entirely in Spanish, the symbols he evoked were powerful. Let’s take a beat to analyze all the choices made in the so-called “Benito Bowl.”
The Labor of A People
The show begins by taking the audience from the turf field in Levi’s Stadium to the sugar cane fields of Puerto Rico. This choice celebrates the pre-colonial agricultural roots of the Caribbean Island and begins a celebration of the work of Benito’s people.
Throughout the performances, audiences see many different businesses and traditions integral to Puerto Rican culture. From the Piragua man to the nail tech, the barber, and the Mercado, the labor done to create such a beautiful culture is celebrated in the classic joy-fest that can be felt in Bad Bunny’s music.
Love: The Oldest Tradition
You don’t have to speak Spanish to know that this show is about love. The most obvious reason is that a real-life wedding happened onstage! The couple of the hour sent Bad Bunny an invitation to their wedding, and he did them one better by inviting them to get married at halftime. The joyful celebration erupts to Lady Gaga’s performance of a salsa rendition of “Die With a Smile.” This celebrates the fact that love and music are strong across cultural and language barriers.
Many felt as though Bad Bunny was an inappropriate choice for the performance, as some of his lyrics are more provocative, and the backup dancers were absolutely throwing down on the field. This is why the White House sponsored an alternate halftime show with Kid Rock as the headliner. However, I’d argue that this performance promoted traditional family values more than most have by including pure love in matrimony and representation of strong familial units. Also, plenty of halftime shows have had women twerking on the field—it’s not a new thing.
A Vibrant Motherland
This performance, and frankly every one of Benito’s, is a true love letter to Puerto Rico. The energy, the landscapes, the people, the culture, those of us who have never experienced the island get a beautiful portrait from these concerts. However, life in Bad Bunny’s homeland is not all perfect, and he does not pretend that’s the case.
About halfway through the show, Bad Bunny joined a group of dancers on top of electric poles. This segment represents the frequent blackouts in Puerto Rico due to corrupt investments and poor infrastructure, especially after Hurricane Maria. This show, and many other opportunities, have been taken advantage of to use Benito’s influence to advocate for the well-being of his home and his people.
The Past And The Future
There comes a time when an artist becomes successful, when they need to honor their inner child. Bad Bunny does this when a family appears, the child looking remarkably like a Baby Benito, watching his Grammy acceptance from just a week ago. Adult Benito then hands the award to the little boy, because he never stopped believing in himself.
“My name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, and if I’m here today at Super Bowl 60, it’s because I never, ever stopped believing in myself. You should also believe in yourself. You’re worth more than you think. Trust me.”
This isn’t the only place where kids are featured in the performance. It’s so precious to see them run around the various scenes, especially when they interact with the main performer. The standout for many was the little guy passed out across chairs in the wedding scene, an homage to all the kids who have slept on makeshift beds during long nights at adult parties.
A United America
This performance was not just about Puerto Rican pride, or even Latin pride. Bad Bunny’s Casita featured many notable Latin celebrities, such as Pedro Pascal, Karol G, and Cardi B—not to mention the standout solo from Ricky Martin plucked straight out of the DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS album art. However, white celebrities such as Alix Earle and Gaga were also featured. This speaks to the idea that dividing ourselves is unnecessary, and it’s better if we rejoice together.
When I visited Cuba years ago, I was humbled by someone I encountered who sternly corrected me. He said the United States is the only country that teaches children that America refers only to the U.S. Bad Bunny enforces that when he prays for God to bless America, and lists the majority of the countries in North and South America at the end of the show. Before bursting into a joyful “DtMF,” he reminds us that we are one America, and it can all be beautiful if we walk with love.
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