Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, more famously known as Bad Bunny, recently performed during the halftime show for Superbowl LX on Feb. 8, 2026. His performance spread messages of unity and inclusion, as well as shining a light on Puerto Rican culture.
Throughout his performance, Bad Bunny played fourteen songs, most from his Jan. 2025 album, DeBí TiRAR MáS FOToS, a tribute to Puerto Rico. Many of the songs focus on cherishing the small moments in life, as well as the struggles of cultural displacement and gentrification.
Myriam Montanez-Comito, Puerto Rican Spanish teacher at Centennial High School, is a fan of Bad Bunny and was thrilled that he was selected to perform. Her favorite songs are “DtMF,” and “Weltita,” the first of which was the closing song of the show.
Bad Bunny was joined by Lady Gaga, who sang a salsa rendition of her hit song “Die With a Smile,” and Ricky Martin who performed “LO QUE LE PASÓ A HAWAii” from Bad Bunny’s latest album, which Montanez-Comito appreciated. “I also loved that both [Lady Gaga] and Ricky Martin represent the LGBTQIA community.”
Bad Bunny performed “VOY A LLeVARTE PA PR,” which is about inviting a girl to go to a party in Puerto Rico. The song celebrates the vibrant party scene and nightlife that is characteristic of their culture.
“LO QUE LE PASÓ A HAWAii,” performed by Ricky Martin, is a song warning people against gentrification, overtourism, and the colonization of Puerto Rico. It compares the history of Hawaii’s struggles with cultural displacement to the current issues in Puerto Rico, and it urges citizens to protect their culture, identities, and land.
The underlying messages did not go unnoticed by Montanez-Comito. “Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl set was more than just a performance; it was a political statement. In a climate full of misinformation, he forced a spotlight on Puerto Rico and the reality of its ties to the U.S.” she said. “I loved how Benito reclaimed “America”… reminding the world that America is a continent, not just a country.”
One of the more politically charged moments in the performance was when Bad Bunny climbed a utility pole during the song “El Apagón.” Montanez-Comito explained that the song’s message “is about all the blackouts on the island and still being the best in spite of the setbacks.”
Bad Bunny on the power lines which were part of the halftime show set.
In 2017, both Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria hit Puerto Rico, destroying eighty percent of the island’s transmission and distribution lines, leading to devastating power outages. The power grid has never been fully repaired since then, and Puerto Ricans still regularly deal with power uncertainties.
In addition to the utility poles, the rest of Bad Bunny’s set design was crucial to accurately portraying Puerto Rico, which Montanez-Comito greatly enjoyed. “When I saw that the set started with a sugar cane field, I knew he brought the island to that stadium. I love that he paid homage to the countryside, our traditions, our lives.” said Montanez-Comito.
The party scene with the La Casita set.
The sugar cane grasses were not just objects on the set, they were actually composed of a large group of volunteers who agreed to dress up as plants for the show.
Not only did Bad Bunny represent the land of Puerto Rico, he also brought life to other aspects of Puerto Rican culture. One video shot during the performance was of a child sleeping across two chairs, a moment which has been shared online by many people reminiscing on their own childhoods, recalling memories of when they, too, had fallen asleep at parties.
The set neighborhood included Bad Bunny’s famous La Casita, which has been featured in many of his other performances. La Casita is a pink and yellow house designed to represent a traditional Puerto Rican house that is reminiscent of a grandparent’s house.
Another notable piece of the show was the real wedding that was held on stage, an additional illustration in Bad Bunny’s performance that “the only thing more powerful than hate is love,” a message which was displayed on a huge screen in the stadium.
For the finale, Bad Bunny finished his message of unity strong, calling out every country in North, South, and Central America, flying their flags. He walked out of the stadium surrounded by many voices chanting the chorus of “DtMF,” one of his most popular songs, which focuses on the importance of living in the moment and not taking anything for granted.
