Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, more commonly known as Bad Bunny, is a 31-year-old Puerto Rican artist known for his reggaeton-style Spanish rap music. Since launching his career in 2016, Bad Bunny has won six Grammys and been Spotify’s most-streamed artist two years in a row. Known for his experimental fashion and fully transparent portrayal of beliefs, Ocasio uses his fame to share anti-ICE messages, advocating his Puerto Rican pride and publicly criticizing the Trump administration.

In the past, Ocasio experienced criticism regarding his “inappropriate” music that lacked substance. However, this criticism hit a turning point in January 2025 when Ocasio released DeBí TiRaR Más FOTos, an album, which translates to, “I should have taken more photos”. The album holds more depth and symbolism than anything he has written in the past and has a deeply personal message of nostalgia and cultural identity. The album cover portrays two white plastic chairs in a tropical background, representing a moment in time where family members and loved ones were no longer there. Puerto Rican culture values family. With an increase in social media usage, these values have shifted, and the bond between generations has weakened. This album held so much more than the rapping and beats of his past songs; it was made to help connect all generations through sharing the love of music and songs.

The first song of his album, NUEVAYoL, contains a mix of the 1975 song Un Verano en Nueva York by El Gran Combo, a classic Puerto Rican singer. The song is opened by a familiar brass and salsa melody popular in 1975, followed by Bad Bunny’s personal spin on the song. This introduction to his album outlines the bridge between the past and the present, and has expanded his audience to people of all ages. Since the release of the album, 2025 was a huge year of growth for Bad Bunny as an artist, as his audience expanded and his music was commonly played everywhere. This resulted in him getting the offer to perform in Santa Clara, California, as the first solo Latin male headliner.

The Super Bowl Halftime Show is an annual peak of excitement and entertainment for millions of Americans. Each year features a new artist, decided by the NFL Entertainment Industry, along with other sponsors such as Apple Music.

Bad Bunny’s halftime show received a lot of pushback and backlash from many Americans, including President Donald Trump.

Trump referred to the show on X as, “absolutely terrible, one of the worst, EVER! It makes no sense, is an affront to the Greatness of America, and doesn’t represent our standards of Success, Creativity, or Excellence. Nobody understands a word this guy is saying, and the dancing is disgusting… This ‘Show’ is just a slap in the face to our Country.”

Trump emphasized that the performance didn’t follow the nationalistic American approach; rather, it represented a more international perspective that should not have been commercialized at the Super Bowl. For the first time ever, a second half-time show, organized by XYZ and performed by Kid Rock, was initiated to counter Ocasio’s show. The “All American” show took place in Nashville, TN, the evening of the Super Bowl, and was aimed to be a “conservative-focused entertainment alternative”. The show attracted six million viewers.

Ocasio’s show opened up a space for immigrants and people from all around the world to feel safe and accepted. Rather than focusing solely on American culture and citizens, he opened up an environment where all are welcome, no matter the nationality or race. Ocasio’s performance dealt with more pushback than any other halftime artists in years prior. However, it was executed in such a profoundly inclusive manner, breaking the bridge between generations, nationalities and races on an incredibly global level.

Bad Bunny’s performance was in the majority in Spanish, and Bad Bunny made an effort to include countries throughout the American continent, listing over 20 countries in America, along with carrying the flags representing each country, famously stating, “Together, we are America.”

The 2026 halftime show was more than a 13-minute show of singing and dancing; it was a cultural turning point for our country, bringing a sense of belonging for so many. Serving as a vibrant reminder to many that no matter how they arrived in the United States, we all matter and are valued.