Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show explored who gets to be American
Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime performance on Sunday sparked immediate discussion, extending beyond musical critique to questions of identity and belonging. The performance concluded with a powerful statement, beginning with the artist uttering “God Bless America” – followed by a recitation of countries throughout the Americas, including the United States and Canada. A screen displayed the message: “The only thing more powerful than hate is love,” echoing sentiments from his 2026 Grammy Awards acceptance speech.
Reframing “America”
The artist’s deliberate inclusion of nations beyond the United States was a pointed reminder, as noted in the performance, that “America” encompasses a wider geographical and cultural reality. This gesture arrived amidst pre-existing political tension; the performance was labeled “un-American” by some, despite the fact that Puerto Ricans are U.S. Citizens. President Donald Trump recently described the set as “an affront to the Greatness of America.”
Bad Bunny’s stage was populated with flags representing countries across the Americas, as well as territories like Bonaire and the U.S. Virgin Islands. He was accompanied by plena musicians – a genre of Puerto Rican music linked to community and protest – and held a football emblazoned with the words “Together, we are America.”
A Statement of Belonging
According to Petra Rivera-Rideau, associate professor of American studies at Wellesley College and co-author of “P FKN R: How Bad Bunny Became the Global Voice of Puerto Rican Resistance,” the performance was “a really profound statement of Latino belonging in the United States and immigrant belonging in the United States.” Rivera-Rideau explained that the criticism of the performance often stemmed from the assumption that performing in Spanish was exclusionary, a notion Bad Bunny actively countered by inviting inclusivity.
Reanna Cruz, music critic and senior producer for Vox Media’s music podcast Switched on Pop, described Bad Bunny’s effort as “reframing America as this continent-spanning container.” She emphasized the importance of community and joy, suggesting that embracing shared humanity transcends national borders.
This concept of a unified Americas isn’t new, with artists like Rubén Lárez and Los Tigres del Norte previously exploring similar themes in their music. The performance, served as a declaration that Latinos, Latin Americans, Caribbean people and immigrants are integral to the fabric of the United States.
Puerto Rican Identity and Sovereignty
The performance also touched upon the complex relationship between Puerto Rico and the United States. Bad Bunny waved a Puerto Rican flag featuring a light blue triangle, a color historically significant to the island’s independence movement. The original Puerto Rican flag used a different shade of blue, which was changed to match the U.S. Flag after the U.S. Took control of Puerto Rico in 1898.
Christopher Campo-Bowen, assistant professor of musicology at Virginia Tech, noted that Bad Bunny presented both Puerto Rico’s unique cultural identity and a message of unity, encouraging recognition of difference without allowing it to breed animosity. The musical genre of salsa, Campo-Bowen explained, exemplifies Puerto Rico’s unique status, arising from the migration of Puerto Ricans to New York in the mid-20th century and the resulting cultural exchange.
A Political Undertone
Bad Bunny’s message of inclusivity stood in stark contrast to an alternative halftime performance organised by Turning Point USA and headlined by Kid Rock. Vanessa Díaz, associate professor of Chicano and Latino studies at Loyola Marymount University and co-author of “P FKN R,” explained that Bad Bunny’s performance redefined “God Bless America” to encompass all nations within the Americas.
Díaz highlighted the performance’s political resonance, drawing parallels to Bad Bunny’s previous statement, “ICE Out,” at the 2026 Grammys. She described the Super Bowl performance as “wildly imaginative and extremely educational,” a celebration of Puerto Rican culture and history that invited audiences to see themselves reflected in it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the significance of Bad Bunny’s use of Spanish during the Super Bowl halftime show?
The performance, despite being largely in Spanish, was intended to be inclusive, inviting audiences into Bad Bunny’s world and asserting that immigrants and Latinos are an essential part of the United States.
How did Bad Bunny address the relationship between Puerto Rico and the United States?
He waved a Puerto Rican flag with a light blue triangle, a color symbolizing Puerto Rican independence, and highlighted the island’s unique culture and history, acknowledging its status as a U.S. Territory with limited citizenship rights.
What was the contrast between Bad Bunny’s performance and the alternative halftime show?
Bad Bunny’s performance broadened the definition of “America” to include all nations in the Americas, while the alternative show, headlined by Kid Rock, represented a more traditional, conservative view of American identity.
As Bad Bunny continues to push boundaries and challenge norms, it remains to be seen how his message of inclusivity and hemispheric unity will resonate with broader audiences and influence future conversations about identity and belonging.