In a groundbreaking cultural moment, global music sensation Bad Bunny revolutionized Super Bowl tradition by delivering the first entirely Spanish-language halftime performance in the event’s history. The Puerto Rican artist, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, transformed football’s grandest stage into a vibrant celebration of Latin heritage during his 14-minute spectacle at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara.
The performance served as an immersive journey through Puerto Rican culture, beginning with the artist’s emergence from a sugarcane field and progressing through meticulously designed set pieces representing traditional island life. The stage featured a replica casita (small house) that became a gathering point for celebrity guests including Pedro Pascal, Cardi B, Karol G, and Jessica Alba, who danced enthusiastically on the porch.
Despite expectations of political commentary following his recent Grammy Awards speeches criticizing U.S. immigration policies, Bad Bunny opted for a message of unity. He displayed prominent visual statements including a billboard reading ‘The only thing more powerful than hate is love’ and a football inscribed with ‘Together, We Are America.’ His sartorial choice—a beige sweater emblazoned with the number 64—subtly referenced the official death toll from Hurricane Maria, which devastated Puerto Rico in 2017.
The artistic direction incorporated powerful symbolism, including the performer climbing an electricity pylon while rapping—a poignant nod to the infrastructure destroyed during the catastrophic storm. Family themes permeated the performance, from a wedding ceremony between young Latin dancers to the symbolic moment when Bad Bunny handed his Grammy award to a child while his acceptance speech played on television.
Musically, the setlist blended career-spanning hits including ‘Tití Me Preguntó,’ ‘MONACO,’ and ‘BAILE INOLVIDABLE,’ alongside selections from his Grammy-winning album ‘Debí Tirar Más Fotos.’ Special guest Lady Gaga delivered a Latin-inspired rendition of her collaboration ‘Die With A Smile,’ while fellow Puerto Rican superstar Ricky Martin performed ‘Lo Que Le Pasó A Hawaii’—a cultural preservation anthem.
The performance concluded with Bad Bunny shouting ‘God Bless America’ in Spanish while naming numerous North and South American countries, as dancers raised corresponding flags. This finale highlighted the artist’s conscious decision to bypass the U.S. mainland on his current world tour, despite his stated affection for American fans.
President Donald Trump criticized the performance on Truth Social as ‘absolutely terrible’ and ‘an affront to the Greatness of America,’ contrasting with the overwhelmingly positive reception from cultural commentators and fans worldwide. The historic show demonstrated how Latin music has achieved unprecedented mainstream recognition while maintaining its cultural authenticity.