Despite President Donald Trump’s disdain, Puerto Rican singer Bad Bunny turned Sunday’s Super Bowl into a massive street celebration by promoting unity over divide in his ground-breaking Spanish-language set.
Amid intense speculation about whether the 31-year-old would use his platform to reiterate his condemnation of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown in front of tens of millions of viewers, there was a lot of anticipation for his set.
Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, the immensely popular artist, instead fulfilled his pre-game pledge to joyfully share his culture. He mostly stayed away from overt political declarations in favor of subtly conveying messages through symbols.
He began with “Titi Me Pregunto” and the feminist anthem “Yo Perreo Sola,” while a group of dancers fueled the festive mood in a set that included a sugar cane plantation, a typical “piragua” cart selling snacks, and even a wedding.
In his well-known “La Casita” backdrop, which symbolizes a Puerto Rican home, guest performers Pedro Pascal, Jessica Alba, and Cardi B were among them.
Bad Bunny donned an all-white outfit that included a football jersey with the numbers “64” and “Ocasio” on it, followed by a sophisticated suit jacket.
With “El Apagon” (Blackout), he ventured into more political area, discussing the ongoing issues brought on by the unstable electrical grid and the eviction of Puerto Ricans from their own island. At one point, he was carrying a Puerto Rican flag.
A young youngster watching the Grammys on an antique television set was also featured in the performance. A week ago, Bad Bunny, who took home the Album of the Year award, gave the child, who might have been a younger version of himself, a golden gramophone.
Unverified claims circulated online claiming the toddler was five-year-old Ecuadorian Liam Conejo Ramos, who was recently arrested by US immigration officials in Minnesota.
An Instagram photo that appeared to be from Lincoln Fox, the toddler in question, was hashtagged #youngbadbunny, and an NFL spokesperson told AFP that the boy was an actor.
Lady Gaga, whose Latin-infused rendition of her smash song “Die with a Smile” had the sole English lyrics in the performance, and Puerto Rican artist Ricky Martin were among the unexpected musical guests.
“Affront”
Bad Bunny received applause for yelling “ICE out” from the stage during his scathing critique of Trump’s extensive immigration crackdown at the Grammy Awards.
However, he refrained from criticizing the Republican president on Sunday.
After enumerating the nations of Latin America, Puerto Rico, the United States, and Canada, Bad Bunny spiked a football with the words “Together, we are America” at the close of the set.
In 2019, the NFL signed a deal with Roc Nation, Jay-Z’s entertainment firm, which spearheads the league’s entertainment strategy.
Since then, Shakira and Jennifer Lopez have been the Super Bowl main acts (with Bad Bunny as a guest). However, neither of them performed solely in Spanish, therefore Bad Bunny was left to establish that standard.
From the Super Bowl to Vega Baja
Vega Baja, a tiny community close to San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico, is where Bad Bunny was raised.
He received a call from a label over his viral plays on the do-it-yourself website SoundCloud while he was bagging groceries at a supermarket.
This was the beginning of the reggaeton star’s quick ascent to the top of the world music charts.
Bad Bunny promoted his Puerto Rican music history lecture, “Debi Tirar Mas Fotos,” which was released late last year, with a world tour and a hometown show in San Juan.
The native son of Puerto Rico, a US territory since 1898, was filled with pride.
“Every Puerto Rican is proud to see someone from here at one of the most significant events in the United States,” Olvin Reyes, 39, told AFP.
