Bad Bunny Set to Make Super Bowl Halftime History

In October, when Bad Bunny took on the role of host for ‘Saturday Night Live,’ he gave his audience a bit of homework in anticipation of his upcoming Super Bowl halftime performance. ‘If you didn’t understand what I just said, you have four months to learn,’ he joked during his opening monologue, after warmly greeting ‘all the Latinos and Latinas in the entire world and here in the United States’ in Spanish.

Whether or not those who don’t speak Spanish have heeded Bad Bunny’s advice, the acclaimed Puerto Rican artist is sure to have everyone on their feet dancing during the Sunday show dubbed by fans online as the ‘Benitobowl.’ When this superstar steps onto the field, he will make history as the first Spanish-language Latin solo artist to headline a Super Bowl halftime show. This achievement is well-deserved for the artist known for ‘DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS,’ a singer who recently made records at the Grammys.

From Grocery Bagger to Record-Breaking Artist

Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, launched his music career a decade ago while working as a grocery bagger in his hometown of Vega Baja, Puerto Rico. It was then that his Latin urban music tracks on SoundCloud started gaining millions of listeners.

He soon followed up with a constant release of hit singles and remixes, collaborating with well-known reggaeton artists and even globally recognized musicians, including Marc Anthony, Jennifer López, and Cardi B. By 2018, he had established himself as one of the top 10 most streamed artists worldwide, even before debuting his first album, ‘X 100PRE,’ released on Christmas Eve.

With six studio albums and six Grammys to his name, Bad Bunny has become a pivotal figure in the global expansion of reggaeton, a genre with deep roots in Puerto Rico that was once seen as underground. He is notably the first reggaeton artist to headline a Super Bowl halftime show.

Record-Breaking Achievements

Among his many accomplishments, Bad Bunny became the most streamed artist on Spotify globally from 2020 to 2022, achieving the same feat again in 2025 after a groundbreaking 31-show residency in Puerto Rico.

In 2020, his album ‘El Último Tour Del Mundo’ (‘The Last Tour of the World’) became the first all-Spanish-language album to secure the No. 1 spot on the Billboard 200. He repeated this success in both 2022 and 2023 with his subsequent albums. Additionally, he set the world record for the highest-grossing tour in a single calendar year in 2022, generating $435.3 million with over 2.4 million tickets sold across 81 shows in his latest concert tours.

‘As Benito, he is a typical 31-year-old Puerto Rican who grew up experiencing the debt crisis, Hurricane Maria, participating in the protest of 2019 [and] watching public schools close on the island,’ shares Petra Rivera-Rideau, co-creator of the ‘Bad Bunny Syllabus’ and co-author of ‘P FKN R: How Bad Bunny Became the Global Voice of Puerto Rican Resistance.’

‘This environment shaped him and his music, as it did every Puerto Rican who grew up there,’ Rivera-Rideau added. ‘He talks about these struggles, but he also leaves space for happiness, joy, and community, which I think a lot of people want.’

Understanding Bad Bunny’s Lyrics

For those getting ready for the big halftime show, here are nine common Spanish-language phrases often used by Bad Bunny:

• Acho, P.R. es otra cosa: Translates to ‘Bro, Puerto Rico is something else.’ Bad Bunny popularized this phrase during his residency, often having celebrity guests shout it to excite the audience.
• Baile inolvidable: Meaning ‘Unforgettable dance,’ it is the title of a popular salsa hit from his latest album and featured in the NFL trailer for his halftime performance.
• Debí tirar más fotos: This translates to ‘I should have taken more photos,’ found in the chorus of his hit track ‘DtMF,’ which has inspired viral trends honoring loved ones.
• Flamboyán: Known as the ‘Royal poinciana tree,’ famous in Puerto Rico for its vivid red flowers, serving as a cultural symbol for Puerto Ricans globally.
• Pava: Refers to a traditional hat worn by Puerto Rican farmers, which Bad Bunny sported in a halftime show teaser.
• Perreo: Meaning ‘Twerk,’ this dance associated with reggaeton is featured in much of Bad Bunny’s music, such as his Grammy-winning song ‘EoO.’
• P FKN R: Expresses Puerto Rican pride and resilience, a recurring theme in Bad Bunny’s music.
• Sapo concho: The ‘Puerto Rican crested toad,’ an endangered species and a symbol of cultural preservation in Bad Bunny’s work.
• YHLQMDLG: An acronym for ‘yo hago lo que me de la gana,’ meaning ‘I do whatever I want,’ indicative of Bad Bunny’s bold artistic vision.

Addressing Backlash

Over a decade into his career, Bad Bunny has evolved into an ‘artist of resistance’ and an innovative musician who blends reggaeton with multiple genres, appealing to a wide audience, according to Vanessa Díaz, co-creator of the ‘Bad Bunny Syllabus.’

The star took a stand at the Grammys, advocating against hate and emphasizing love, declaring, ‘The only thing that is more powerful than hate is love.’ He has long been outspoken about Puerto Rican politics, calling attention to issues such as the U.S. government’s response to Hurricane Maria and advocating for justice and political change on the island.

His performance at the Super Bowl has drawn some criticism from conservative media, with some planning alternative shows. Despite this, the NFL defended its choice to have Bad Bunny perform, with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell affirming that the halftime show serves to bring people together. ‘I think Bad Bunny understands that,’ Goodell remarked.