Bad Bunny is a Legend in the Making
Wepa! The anticipation for Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl has wilted, however; it has found itself replaced by commemoration.
Millions in the world may have already been keeping their eye out for the intensity between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots, while others turned their TV screens on to see the Puerto Rican singer, Bad Bunny, perform.
As expected, the halftime show, much like last year’s with Kendrick Lamar, was used to spread a message. With what feels like a division across the country, Bad Bunny used his 13 minutes on the field to not only bring a sense of unity, but also to honor and celebrate the territory of Puerto Rico.
The show began with a view of sugarcane fields and the hypnotic instrumental of Tití Me Preguntó. The scene alone began an emotional journey for any Puerto Rican watching.
The second Bad Bunny appeared on screen, subtly representing Puerto Rico's history. Sets like El Morro—where I spent many memories of my childhood crying while I was forced to take pictures—and la casita, brought islanders back to childhood memories with their families under the sun. It was a beautiful detail that had us all in tears.
Surprise guests like Ricky Martin truly allowed older generations to connect with Bad Bunny’s modern touch of the Latin community. Not only did he bring Martin on stage, but he also mixed old reggaeton hits like Pa’Que Retozen by Tego Calderón, Gasolina by Daddy Yankee, Dale Don Dale by Don Omar, and Noche De Travesuras by Héctor "El Father.”
The reason this halftime show was one of the best had nothing to do with his fame, but with the energy he brought on stage. His set shared so much more than the history behind Puerto Rico. The singer’s set was a display of love and community.
Bringing people out, such as Williamsburg’s caribbean social club owner Toñita, showed how important it is to remain resilient through tough times. While sometimes, it might feel like nothing will change, if there was anything to learn from the performance on Sunday, it is to not follow the divide being set for us.
The cultural importance of this years Super Bowl performance is the first step toward solving the great division in America. Playing DtMF solidified that, as the singer shouted out every country in the American continent. He spread the message that we cannot continue to live without love, because love will always be stronger than hate.
Y siempre recuerda: “vamo a disfrutar, que nunca se sabe si nos queda poco.”
What was your favorite detail from his performance? Leave a comment below!