By Molly Tursi
Staff Writer
For a storied six decades, football fans across the nation have anticipated the annual Super Bowl as the ultimate sports event of the season. As a mainstay of American tradition, the event offers something for every viewer to enjoy, whether their head is in the game, with the music or just there for the snacks.
For music lovers, the most exciting part of the Super Bowl is two quarters of the way through the game. Appeasing both fervid football fans and those who are more concerned with watching a good performance from their favorite artist, the halftime show galvanizes the game with an invigorating burst of music and excitement.
Three months before the Super Bowl LX, the NFL and Apple Music announced that the Puerto Rican singer and record producer Bad Bunny would headline the halftime show. While many audiences responded with excitement, others balked at inviting a Latin artist to perform at the historically American event.
Following an exorbitant amount of public discourse, the response to the announcement led to Bad Bunny, born as Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, receiving hostile threats. Fans worried that the artist would rescind his performance to protect his safety, but the Puerto Rican native remained steadfast in his decision to deliver an incredible show.
In the face of bigotry and hatred, Bad Bunny performed a 13-minute set studded with long-time favorites and select songs from his latest album, “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS.”
Busy with back-up dancers, cultural backdrops, a real wedding and Latin America flags, Bad Bunny’s performance paid homage to his heritage and home country of Puerto Rico. The singer lent his spotlight to special appearances, with Ricky Martin singing Bad Bunny’s topical song “Lo Que Le Pasó a Hawaii” and Lady Gaga performing an ambitious Salsa remix of “Die With a Smile.”
Just a mere week before, Bad Bunny took home three Grammy awards, most notably for the esteemed Album of the Year category. In a sentimental moment, Bad Bunny paused his performance of “NUEVAYoL” to honor this accomplishment and remember the hopes and dreams that encouraged him along the way. As a young boy watched his Grammy acceptance speech on television, Bad Bunny kneeled down to pass on his Grammy award, encouraging the boy to “Cree siempre en ti,” which translates to “Always believe in yourself.”
Bad Bunny’s performance culminated in fireworks and a stream of Latin American flags. “God Bless America,” Bad Bunny shouted, clutching a football while marching his stage crew forth. “The only thing more powerful than hate is love” beckoned from the jumbotron as the singer continued listing all countries included in the Americas, sincerely appreciating the value of unity and cultural pride.
Concluding his monumental halftime show, Bad Bunny raised the football to the audience, emblazoned with “Together We Are America,” throwing it down with a meaningful salute to Puerto Rico. The crowd passionately erupted into “DtMF,” Bad Bunny’s nostalgic and deeply tender song about memorializing the past and cherishing life’s important moments.
Music is important because it unites us through the thickest of barriers and strongest of differences. The Super Bowl LX halftime show makes history as Bad Bunny considers no polarity and obeys by no borders, taking the stance that all music deserves its place in the world, no matter where it lands.
