Who is Bad Bunny? What to know about Super Bowl LX halftime performer
Bad Bunny, the Puerto Rican superstar, is performing on NFL’s largest stage on Sunday, Feb. 8, for what thousands expect to be an unforgettable performance. The performance will make history as the NFL’s first all Spanish music set, reaching an international fan base and showing Puerto Rican pride.
“What I’m feeling goes beyond myself. It’s for those who came before me and ran countless yards so I could come in and score a touchdown… this is for my people, my culture, and our history. Ve y dile a tu abuela, que seremos el HALFTIME SHOW DEL SUPER BOWL,” said Bad Bunny in a statement announcing his upcoming performance.
Whether you are a Bad Bunny superfan or know him from one of his many hit singles, here is all you need to know about the Latin hip-hop star and the controversy stirred by his upcoming Super Bowl performance:
Who is Bad Bunny?
Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, is a Puerto Rican rapper, singer and record producer.
The Puerto Rican reggaeton artist was announced to headline the Super Bowl LX Halftime show following his historic Puerto Rico residency that drew more than a half million fans for his new album “DeBi TiRAR MaS FOToS.”
Bad Bunny’s career highlights include three Grammy Awards, 17 Latin Grammy Awards, eight Billboard Music Awards and 13 Lo Nuestro Awards. He was the most-streamed artist on Spotify from 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2025.
He rose to stardom after his 2016 song “Diles” and continued to climb with features on prominent artists songs such as Cardi B’s “I Like It.”
Since then Bad Bunny has made the U.S. Billboard 200, his second solo album, “YHLQMDLG” became the highest-charting all Spanish album to appear on the Billboard 200, followed by his compilation album “Las que no iban a salir.”
His following three albums topped the Billboard 200 with his fourth solo album — “Un Verano Sin Ti” — spending 13 weeks atop the Billboard.
That album was named the best-performing album of 2022 and became the first Spanish album to be nominated for a Grammy Award for Album of the Year.
Bad Bunny’s advocacy, Super Bowl selection backlash
Outside of music, Bad Bunny has been a vocal advocate for his home of Puerto Rico, criticizing the lack of humanitarian aid in the wake of Hurricane Maria in 2017, the island’s gentrification in San Juan and has joined protests against government corruption. Additionally, he has challenged traditional gender roles by dressing in drag for his music video “Yo Perro Sola” and has been outspoken over the killing of Alexa Negron Luciano, a transgender woman from Puerto Rico.
He has also been critical of President Donald Trump over his treatment of the Latino community.
After the NFL announcement of Bad Bunny’s half-time performance, polarizing reactions arose from politicians, Fox News commentators and Trump due to Bad Bunny’s advocacy.
Trump claimed to “never heard” of the artist and called the halftime performer choice as “absolutely ridiculous,” according to reporting by USA Today. The president also said he will be skipping the upcoming Super Bowl due to distance.
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson spoke on the choice of performer and said, “I didn’t even know who Bad Bunny was. But it sounds like a terrible decision… he’s not someone who appeals to a broader audience.”
The artist launched his international “Debí tirar más fotos World Tour” late last year. However, he has been vocal about refusing to perform in the U.S. due to concerns about Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents targeting fans who attended his shows, according to CNN.
Following the NFL halftime announcement in October, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, said that she would send agents to the arena where Bad Bunny is set to perform, according to Them.
Turning Point USA, a conservative organization founded by the late Charlie Kirk, announced it would host its own halftime show called the “All American Halftime Show” giving attendees the option to vote on the genre that included country, worship music and “anything in English.”
As of Tuesday, Jan. 27, Turning Point USA has made no announcement of who will be performing at their show.
On the other hand, fans of the artist have risen in support of the choice. Roc Nation founder Jay-Z said in a statement that what Bad Bunny has “done and continues to do for Puerto Rico is truly inspiring. We are honored to have him on the world’s biggest stage.”
Oliver Schusser, Apple’s vice president of music, sports and beats, also shared her excitement for Bad Bunny’s performance.
“The halftime show is the ultimate celebration of music and culture, and few artists embody that intersection more perfectly and authentically than Bad Bunny,” said Schusser.
Earlier in January, Bad Bunny dropped a teaser trailer to his upcoming performance showing him dancing with various people of different races, ethnicities, ages and occupations to his song “BAILE INoLVIDABLE.”
The trailer garnered more than 5.5 million likes and more than 69 million views as of Tuesday, Jan. 27, beating out previous years’ performers Rihanna and Kendrick Lamar, according to Complex.
Can I order Bad Bunny merchandise?
Yes.
Fans can preorder hoodies, shirts and hats with Bad Bunny’s logo of a coqui sporting either a New England Patriots or a Seattle Seahawks uniform.
This story was originally published January 27, 2026 at 6:03 PM with the headline "Who is Bad Bunny? What to know about Super Bowl LX halftime performer."
