Super Bowl LXI will be remembered not just as a showcase of athletic prowess, but as a powerful cultural statement delivered by Bad Bunny. The Puerto Rican superstar’s halftime performance on , transcended the typical spectacle, becoming a vibrant tapestry of history, resilience, and a redefinition of what it means to be American. Beyond the energetic performance and hit songs, the show was meticulously layered with symbolism that resonated deeply with viewers, particularly those within the Latino community.
Political Subtexts Woven into the Scenography
From the outset, Bad Bunny’s performance was steeped in political and historical significance. The opening scene, featuring individuals working in sugar cane fields, wasn’t merely a visual backdrop; it was a direct nod to Puerto Rico’s colonial past. Sugar cane cultivation, while economically vital to the island for centuries, also represents a legacy of colonialism, and slavery. The imagery served as a potent reminder of the historical forces that have shaped Puerto Rico’s identity.
The significance of the Puerto Rican flag itself was powerfully underscored. Displaying the flag, once illegal under the United States Gag Rule from to , carries a history of resistance. Originally designed by Puerto Rican independence activists exiled in New York in , the flag’s colors were intentionally inverted from the Cuban flag to symbolize solidarity within Caribbean liberation movements. The evolution of the flag’s blue hue, shifting from a lighter sky blue to a darker navy, reflects the changing political landscape during the Commonwealth era.
The performance of “El Apagón” (“The Blackout”) was particularly poignant. Bad Bunny and his dancers climbed on utilitarian electric poles, a stark representation of the ongoing energy crisis that has plagued Puerto Rico since Hurricane Maria in . The hurricane devastated the island’s infrastructure, destroying between 80% and 90% of transmission lines and leaving the entire island without power for months. The continued fragility of the system and the frequency of blackouts serve as a constant reminder of the challenges facing the island and its residents.
The show didn’t shy away from referencing the controversial response to the disaster. Former President Donald Trump’s visit to the island, marked by the now-infamous image of him throwing rolls of paper towels at survivors, and his subsequent downplaying of the devastation, were implicitly acknowledged through the song’s imagery and emotional weight.
Community Figures and Latino Representation
Bad Bunny’s commitment to authenticity extended beyond symbolism to include the direct participation of figures from the Puerto Rican community. Toñita, the owner of Toñita’s Caribbean Social Club in New York, a vital cultural center for the diaspora founded in the 1970s, was invited onto the stage. The club, a living archive of Nuyorican history, has served as a crucial space for preserving community identity amidst gentrification. The recreation of the club’s interior during the performance provided a powerful backdrop for a moment shared between Toñita and Bad Bunny, who also references her in his song “NUEVAYoL.”
Boxing star Xander Zayas, representing the island’s younger generation, also made an appearance. Born in San Juan and raised in Florida, Zayas recently unified the WBO and WBA super welterweight world titles on , maintaining his undefeated record.
Beyond these prominent figures, the inclusion of actors portraying everyday scenes – neighbors playing dominoes, people at the nail salon – resonated with many viewers, fostering a sense of representation and belonging. As DePaul junior Lauren Williams noted, “It was something that I recognized as a person of color; it really made me feel at home and reminded me of the neighborhoods where I grew up. I also loved, especially in the context of Black History Month, how much melanin there was in the show and how Bad Bunny didn’t want to distance himself from the different cultures that make up the Latin diaspora.”
Ilderina Astafa, a third-year student at DePaul, described the show as a “beautiful and colorful celebration of culture,” identifying with the scene of a child improvising a bed during a party, a relatable experience from her own childhood. Emanuel López, another DePaul student, was moved by the gesture of Bad Bunny presenting a younger version of himself with a Grammy Award, seeing it as a symbol of self-belief and achievement.
Special Guests and Cultural Homages
The appearance of Lady Gaga, performing a salsa version of “Die With a Smile” and then joining Bad Bunny for “BAILE INoLVIDABLE,” added another layer of star power and cultural fusion. Gaga’s dress, designed by Raúl López, incorporated the Flor de Maga – Puerto Rico’s national flower – as a symbol of resilience and pride, blending flamenco-inspired ruffles with the sky blue of the Puerto Rican flag.
The surprise invitation to Ricky Martin to perform a portion of “LO QUE LE PASÓ A HAWAii” (“What Happened to Hawaii”) was a particularly impactful moment. The song addresses gentrification in Puerto Rico and critiques the potential consequences of American statehood, drawing parallels to the historical experience of Hawaii. The song’s instrumentation, featuring the jíbaro music and the Puerto Rican cuatro, further emphasized the island’s cultural heritage.
A Pan-American Message of Unity
In a powerful closing moment, Bad Bunny extended his message beyond Puerto Rico to encompass the entire American continent. He recited the names of countries in North, Central, and South America, defining “America” as a collective entity. A giant screen displayed the message “The only thing more powerful than hate is love,” while dancers held flags from each nation.
Astafa described this moment as a “powerful reminder” and an “incredible symbol of unity,” appreciating the emphasis on shared cultural values and the need for solidarity in a divisive political climate. “It was nice to see how similar our cultures are and how, instead of focusing on the differences, we can celebrate our similarities,” she said. “That’s just what we need, especially in the current political climate where everyone is being divided.”
Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show was more than just entertainment; it was a carefully curated cultural statement, a celebration of identity, and a powerful message of unity and resilience. It demonstrated that halftime shows can be a platform for meaningful dialogue and a testament to the enduring power of cultural pride.
