At the halftime mark, Super Tazón LX undeniably became a party. Audience members from all over, in person and more than 135 million watching on their TV or mobile device, were immersed into the celebration that was Bad Bunny’s performance.
Highlighting and celebrating Puerto Rico and the Latino community, the reggaeton singer dominated the stage as he became the very first artist to do a full Spanish set despite those who doubted him.
In only 13 minutes Bad Bunny transformed Super Bowl LX to be a celebration of love. Leading up to Sunday, he released an Apple Music advertisement that promised “the world would dance.”
The performance began with a wide shot of workers harvesting sugar-cane and then he introduced himself with his full name, Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio.
Despite the negative comments from many, that did not stop Ocasio from bringing his authentic sound to the game and did not stop him from being authentically himself.
Latinos are very notorious for having long names, often being a punchline. However, Hollywood only uses it when it benefits them. Many Latino celebrities and artists cut their names and keep only the “American sounding” ones.
For Ocasio to take the stage and not introduce himself as Bad Bunny but use his full name was a statement in itself.
Opening with “Tití Me Preguntó” Ocasio took us to a cultural celebration paying homage to Puerto Rico. Playing Bad Bunny classics like “Yo Perreo Sola” and “Safaera,” Ocasio had many fun and energetic elements to his performance.
From cameos of street vendors, abuelitos playing domino, a female dance montage to well known Latino celebrities including, Cardi B, Pedro Pascal and Karol G partying at La Casita.
As Ocasio danced and performed through his set, he highlighted various Puerto Rican legends. Songs by Don Omar, Tego Calderón, Héctor El Father and Daddy Yankee played during an intermission as he traveled the stadium on a pickup.
A prolific and jaw dropping moment was when a couple got married during his set, which transitioned and revealed his guest singer Lady Gaga as she sang a salsa rendition of her song “Die With A Smile.”
“BAILE INoLVIDABLE” set the tone for the rest of the performance. Dancers young and old joined Ocasio as he sang and urged everyone watching to love and to dance without fear. An infectious dance break as he made his way to the turf.
His message of love also echoes his message that anyone could do anything as long as they believe in themselves. A family of three was seen watching Ocasio’s recent Grammy Acceptance speech for Album of the Year on a small television set.
Ocasio then handed his Grammy to the little boy who was a symbol of his younger self and reiterated his message that anything is possible.
Throughout the rest of his set Ocasio let the music speak for itself as an act of protest and reminder of what specifically Puerto Rico has gone through. Playing songs like “LO QUE LE PASÓ A HAWAii” sung by guest singer Ricky Martin and “El Apagón” to amplify this truth.
The ending of his performance continued to be a celebration of all countries of Latino America during his performances of “CAFé CON RON” and “DTMF.” Ocasio shouted, “God Bless America” and named all countries across the Americas and named the United States along with them. Having his dancers carrying their flags across the field.
As he danced off the stadium carrying a football that says “Together We Are America,” chanting his song, the jumbotrons projected the message “THE ONLY THING GREATER THAN HATE IS LOVE.”
Ocasio rocked the nation with his performance. To me, it showed how powerful it is to join together during these trying times. It served as a reminder that together we are powerful and that we should celebrate our differences and to stand together through this fight.
Marina Bravo can be reached at marina.bravo@laverne.edu.
Marina Bravo is a senior communications major with a concentration in public relations. She is arts editor and a staff photographer for the Campus Times, and has previously served as a staff writer and photographer for the Campus Times and La Verne Magazine. She enjoys going to live shows and everything spooky.
