Commentary: It’s a moment for pride and anticipation

By Alex Gomez 

¡Wepa!

Seeing Puerto Rico native Benito Antonio “Bad Bunny” Martínez Ocasio announced to perform at the NFL Super Bowl LX brought more than pure excitement — I felt like a child on Christmas Day. 

As a Puerto Rican female, seeing that the NFL is having a popular rapper who embraces his culture and stays true to where he comes from makes it even more fulfilling. 

Every Hispanic person that I know is excited, and we are all creating ideas on how he is going to start the performance or who he would bring out.

My personal preference is Bad Bunny starting with “NUEVAYoL,” and when it comes to the moment of introducing someone, they start playing either “Suavemente” by Elvis Crespo, or bring out a retired Puerto Rican rapper, Daddy Yankee, starting with “Gasolina.” 

His hits including “MIA” with Drake and “I Like It” with Cardi B and J Balvin, and Bad Bunny partners up with all sorts of singers, both English and Spanish — he could bring them as guest performers at the Super Bowl.

Some people believe that Bad Bunny should not perform at the Super Bowl, arguing that an English performer should be on that stage. 

There are fans who listen to Bad Bunny who do not know Spanish, but they love his music because it’s upbeat and fun to dance to. 

People who usually don’t watch football will watch the Super Bowl Halftime Show to dance and have fun, and then the people who are football fans will be able to have just as much fun as everyone else.

People watch the Super Bowl Halftime Show for the amusement and the curiosity of who the singer is going to bring on stage. 

In the past, performers have brought out old group members like Beyoncé bringing out Destiny’s Child, Shakira and Jennifer Lopez bringing out Bad Bunny and J Balvin, and many more. 

Go online and you’ll see people wjho don’t know about Bad Bunny, his story or what he does for Puerto Rico (the U.S. Commonwealth island). It is concerning when they are quick to say that they need an “American.”

What could anyone respond with that statement? Puerto Ricans are American citizens, and Bad Bunny represents a part of the United States that often feels unseen. 

His music connects cultures, languages and generations, proving that art and rhythm transcend borders. 

His presence on that stage is a celebration of diversity, inclusion and the power of Latin music to unite people worldwide.

Bad Bunny joked on Saturday Night Live to everyone: “If you didn’t understand what I just said … you have four months to learn Spanish.” 

RELATED MEDIA: Bad Bunny on Saturday Night LIve

This past year, Bad Bunny did performances in his residency to help Puerto Rico’s economy. He brought singers such as Marc Anthony and Gilberto Santa Rosa on the stage, while celebrities and performers such as Ricky Martin, LeBron James and more were there to support him.

Bad Bunny is true to what he grew up with in Puerto Rico, and he knows how to value the music that came before him. 

It’s amazing to know that Puerto Rico has someone who’s proud of his roots and channels that pride into his music. He makes people of all Hispanic cultures feel incredibly proud with every achievement he reaches. 

RELATED MEDIA: Bad Bunny’s most recent video.

As the Super Bowl approaches, I’m super excited to see Bad Bunny rock the stage — it’s a friendly reminder that Puerto Rico is here, and we’re not going anywhere. 

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has stood by the choice and kept Bad Bunny as the performer for the Super Bowl Halftime Show, proving that representation truly matters on the biggest stage in the world.

Alex Gomez is a writer and graduate student from the Bronx currently living in WNY. This story is part of a collaboration with Buffalo Latino Village.