Bad Bunny Delivers a Soulful and Defiant Super Bowl LX Halftime Show

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On Sunday, February 8, 2026, the world witnessed more than just a halftime show; it saw a 13-minute cultural manifesto. Bad Bunny (Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio) became the first solo Latin artist to headline the Super Bowl, and he did so without translating himself for a mainstream audience—performing almost entirely in Spanish.

Set against the backdrop of Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, the performance was a vivid, high-budget tribute to Puerto Rican identity, resilience, and the diverse fabric of the American experience.

A “Casita” on the World Stage: The Symbolism

The show was layered with deep cultural “Easter eggs” that transformed the NFL’s biggest stage into a stylized Puerto Rican neighborhood.

The Setting: The show opened in a literal sugar cane field, with Benito wearing a #64 “Ocasio” jersey. He walked past jíbaros (rural farmers) in traditional pavas (straw hats), and a piragua (shaved ice) stand.
The Community: The set moved to a vibrant casita where older men played dominoes and a wedding reception unfolded on stage.
Resilience & “El Apagón”: In one of the most somber moments, the stadium lights flickered and dimmed to simulate the chronic blackouts (apagones) that have plagued Puerto Rico since Hurricane Maria. As he performed “El Apagón,” the imagery served as a defiant reminder of the island’s struggle and its refusal to be erased.

The Guests: A Star-Studded “Boda”

In true Bad Bunny fashion, the guest list was a mix of unexpected global icons and Latin legends.

Lady Gaga: In a surprise appearance, Gaga joined Benito for a “salsafied” version of their new track “Baile Inolvidable.” She appeared during the wedding scene, embodying a classic “Latine boda” vibe, complete with a sleeping child on a chair in the background.
Ricky Martin: The “King of Latin Pop” took the stage to perform “LO QUE LE PASÓ A HAWAii,” bridging the gap between the 1999 “Latin Explosion” and today’s global dominance.
The “Casita” Cameos: Other Hispanic stars, including Pedro Pascal, Cardi B, Karol G, and Jessica Alba, were seen dancing and “hanging out” at the house on stage, emphasizing a sense of collective family joy.

The Message: “Together, We Are America”

The performance took place during a week of heightened political tension over immigration and national identity. Bad Bunny addressed this through visual storytelling rather than overt slogans.

The Flags: As he closed the show with “DtMF” (Debí Tirar Más Fotos), dancers swirled onto the field carrying flags from every nation in North, Central, and South America.
The Closing Statement: In a rare moment of English, Benito looked into the camera and said, “God bless America,” before naming every country across the Caribbean and the Americas.
The Dagger to Hate: The screen behind him lit up with the words: “The only thing more powerful than hate is love.” It was a direct callback to his 2026 Grammy acceptance speech and a firm rebuttal to critics of the league’s multicultural focus.