Bad Bunny delivers a culturally charged Super Bowl performance highlighting Caribbean heritage and political commentary at Levi’s Stadium

When Bad Bunny took the Levi’s Stadium field in San Francisco for Super Bowl LX, he didn’t just deliver a halftime show—he told a story.

Every detail, from the set design to his lyrics, carried subtle nods to Puerto Rico’s history, culture, and struggles.

The performance was more than entertainment; it was a political and cultural statement, carefully woven into the glitz and spectacle of the NFL’s biggest night.

Sugar Cane Fields and a Nod to History

The show opened with a striking visual: the football field transformed into a faux sugar cane plantation.

Performing his hit “Tití Me Preguntó” amidst the tall stalks, Bad Bunny paid homage to Puerto Rico, highlighting the Caribbean island’s colonial past and the legacy of sugar slavery.

Historian Dr. Allison Wiltz praised the act as “brilliant, thought-provoking, and well-executed,” noting how it connected cultural pride with historical awareness.

The sugar cane motif wasn’t just symbolic; it served as a bridge to broader themes, reminding audiences of the deep ties between agriculture, colonial exploitation, and the social fabric of the Caribbean.

Highlighting Puerto Rico’s Electrical Struggles

Bad Bunny also incorporated imagery of exploding power grids, a clear reference to Puerto Rico’s chronic electricity problems.

The island’s energy system is notoriously fragile, with outages frequently worsening after hurricanes—a reality the artist has highlighted before.

In 2022, he released El Apagón, a mini-documentary focusing on these ongoing challenges.

Through his halftime show, Bad Bunny subtly shined a light on infrastructure issues that many Americans might not fully understand.

Language, Love, and Latin American Pride

True to his roots, Bad Bunny performed entirely in Spanish for much of the show, marking him as the world’s most-streamed artist singing predominantly in a non-English language.

He began with his full name, Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, connecting personally with fans and encouraging them to “believe in yourself.”

The performance was also a celebration of Latin American identity.

Dancers carried flags from countries across North, South, and Latin America, with Bad Bunny naming them first in Spanish and then in English.

He ended by honoring the United States, Canada, and finally his homeland: “And my motherland, Puerto Rico.”

Holding a football emblazoned with “Together we are America,” he waved a Puerto Rican flag colored in a shade often associated with the pro-independence movement—a nod to the island’s complex political landscape.

Political Messages Hidden in Song and Stage

Bad Bunny’s halftime set included layers of subtle commentary.

His track Lo que le pasó a Hawaii, performed with Ricky Martin, draws parallels between U.S. governance in Hawaii and Puerto Rico, touching on themes of colonization and gentrification.

While he didn’t directly call out agencies like ICE during the show, the artist had recently spoken out against the federal agency while accepting Grammys, showing he hasn’t shied away from controversy.

One of the night’s more heartwarming moments came when Bad Bunny offered a Grammy to a young boy watching from home, sparking confusion among fans who thought he was referencing a five-year-old previously detained by ICE.

Public Reactions: Praise, Criticism, and Alternative Halftime Shows

Not everyone embraced the message.

President Donald Trump called the performance “absolutely terrible” on Truth Social, criticizing both the dancing and the Spanish lyrics, claiming it “doesn’t represent our standards of success, creativity, or excellence.”

Meanwhile, millions of viewers tuned out to watch an alternative halftime show hosted by Turning Point USA, featuring Kid Rock and other country performers, which drew over five million viewers at its peak.

Despite the backlash, social media lit up with fans praising the cultural and political layers of the show.

Many called it a historic moment for Latin representation in mainstream American entertainment.

What’s Next?

Bad Bunny’s performance has sparked conversations that will likely continue throughout 2026.

Music analysts expect more artists to incorporate cultural and political storytelling into major U.S. events, pushing the boundaries of what a halftime show can represent.

Meanwhile, Puerto Rico’s political issues—statehood debates, infrastructure crises, and independence movements—may gain wider attention as artists like Bad Bunny bring them to global stages.

Summary

Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show was more than a performance—it was a statement.

From sugar cane fields to power grid imagery, the Puerto Rican superstar highlighted his homeland’s history, culture, and political struggles while celebrating Latin American identity.

Though it drew criticism from figures like Donald Trump and alternative viewers, the show solidified Bad Bunny’s place as a global artist unafraid to mix entertainment with cultural commentary.

With fans and critics still debating its meaning, the performance will likely resonate far beyond the stadium lights.