Overview of "Bad Bunny, resistance, and the Super Bowl halftime show"
This Code Switch (NPR) episode, hosted by B.A. Parker, explores Bad Bunny’s cultural and political significance ahead of his Super Bowl halftime performance. Featuring Bad Bunny scholars Petra Rivera-Rideau and Vanessa Diaz, the conversation situates his music and public interventions within Puerto Rican history, notions of U.S. belonging, and contemporary backlash — asking whether a global superstar can also be a meaningful voice of resistance.
Key takeaways
- Bad Bunny’s public choices (e.g., speaking in English during an awards speech) are framed as deliberate political acts aimed at addressing U.S. audiences about issues like ICE and Puerto Rico.
- His artistry is presented as part of a long Puerto Rican tradition of music-as-resistance shaped by colonialism, Hurricane Maria, and the 2019 protests.
- Performing the Super Bowl halftime is strategic: the NFL benefits from his global reach, he won’t be paid by the league, and the stage offers an opportunity to push messages into mainstream space.
- Backlash to his Super Bowl slot (including xenophobic calls and an alternative halftime show featuring artists like Kid Rock) reveals persistent ideas about who counts as “American.”
- Bad Bunny balances mainstream commercial partnerships with explicit political stances (pro-Puerto Rico, LGBTQ rights, anti-colonial lyrics); scholars argue his approach broadens reach without strict partisan alignment.
Context and background
- The episode opens by noting Bad Bunny’s recent awards success and highlights a moment when he addressed the crowd in English during an acceptance speech, saying: “We’re not savage. We’re not animals. We’re not aliens. We are humans and we are Americans.”
- Scholars connect Bad Bunny’s work to Puerto Rico’s colonial history under Spain and the U.S., and to crises like Hurricane Maria, which pushed him into public activism (e.g., returning from tour in 2019 to join protests).
- Bad Bunny has significant commercial visibility (brand deals, residencies, streaming success) while using his platform to address social and political issues.
Scholars' perspectives (Petra Rivera-Rideau & Vanessa Diaz)
- Petra Rivera-Rideau:
- Emphasizes the significance of Bad Bunny speaking in English on major U.S. stages — a conscious move to address American audiences about immigration, belonging, and backlash.
- Argues the NFL likely needs Bad Bunny’s audience more than vice versa; his presence on the Super Bowl is evidence of cultural power.
- Vanessa Diaz:
- Places Bad Bunny in a lineage of Puerto Rican cultural resistance; Puerto Rican art often responds to colonialism and crises.
- Notes the risk artists face when speaking politically but argues being visible on major platforms can be more effective than boycotting them.
- Observes his non-partisan framing (advocating for Puerto Rico without aligning to a political party) helps broaden his appeal.
Controversy and politics
- The NFL’s past handling of athlete protests (e.g., Colin Kaepernick) and instances of silencing dissent are used to show institutional tension with protest culture.
- Critics object to Bad Bunny performing because he sings in Spanish, supports LGBTQ rights, or expresses anti-colonial views; some backlash has veered into ignorance about Puerto Rican citizenship.
- The episode frames the Super Bowl performance itself as political: Bad Bunny’s mere presence challenges narrow definitions of Americanness and inclusion.
Why this matters
- Representation: Bad Bunny’s mainstream visibility introduces Puerto Rican issues to broader, younger audiences (e.g., students who now understand Puerto Rico’s relationship to the U.S. through following him).
- Cultural intervention: Scholars argue resistance often requires entering mainstream spaces to disrupt dominant narratives — the halftime show is one such space.
- Social signal: The intensity of backlash reveals ongoing racialized and xenophobic ideas about who belongs in the U.S., and why Latinx cultural presence in major media moments continues to provoke debate.
Notable quotes
- Bad Bunny (excerpt cited in episode): “We’re not savage. We’re not animals. We’re not aliens. We are humans and we are Americans.”
- Petra Rivera-Rideau: The choice to speak in English “when he knew for certain he had the stage…shows not only that he is aware of ICE, he’s aware of the backlash…that was really critical.”
- Vanessa Diaz: “Bad Bunny comes out of a long legacy of Puerto Rican music and Puerto Rican art as resistance.”
Further resources and suggested actions
- Read more by Petra Rivera-Rideau and Vanessa Diaz; they co-authored the book discussed in the episode (title cited in-show).
- Watch the Super Bowl halftime to assess how Bad Bunny uses the platform and to observe public response.
- For listeners: consider the complexity — support artists who advance social causes while recognizing the contradictions of operating within commercial systems.
- Follow Code Switch (NPR) for more cultural analysis and subscribe to their newsletter/podcast for updates.
Credits: episode produced by Kayla Lattimore and Xavier Lopez; edited by Dalia Mortada.