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In Chicago, the anticipation surrounding the Super Bowl halftime show reached a fever pitch before the event even took place. The buzz centered around Bad Bunny, the renowned Puerto Rican artist, who made headlines as the featured performer.
While the Super Bowl has seen a range of Latino artists grace its stage, Bad Bunny’s performance was a watershed moment as he became the first to deliver his entire set in Spanish. This milestone was not just a personal triumph for the artist but a cultural milestone celebrated by many.
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In the vibrant Humboldt Park neighborhood, Division Street became a hub of excitement. Watch parties sprang up, drawing in proud Puerto Ricans who affectionately dubbed the event the “Benito Bowl.” The air was electric with anticipation and pride.
Among the attendees was Bernadette Ramírez, who expressed her enthusiasm, saying, “It’s awesome. We loved it. I can’t believe he came out with Lady Gaga.” Her sentiment captured the excitement of the evening as Bad Bunny took the stage, joined by the iconic pop star, delivering a memorable performance.
This groundbreaking appearance at the Super Bowl cemented Bad Bunny’s place in history, celebrating both his artistry and the broader cultural significance of performing entirely in Spanish on one of the world’s largest stages.
“Amazing. It did not disappoint. Talk about total inclusivity,” said Juliza Huertas.
He elevated the island nation to a place of prominence despite criticism by some who believed the Puerto Rican rapper was somehow not American enough to headline Sunday night’s championship game.
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“I love how he incorporated Puerto Rico, our culture and our traditions,” said Milagros Perez.
The jumbotron, at one point, displayed the words, “The only thing more powerful than hate is love.”
“He is an American. Puerto Rico is part of America,” said María Carolina Cordova.
“We need people like Bad Bunny out there advocating for us, advocating not just for Puerto Ricans, but for Latino community as well. This is history,” said Alex Naza.
For many among Chicago’s Puerto Rican community, his music was beside the point. Even as Pe Erre’s Domino club displayed a table signed by the six-time Grammy award winner himself, Sunday night was a celebration not just of Bad Bunny, but of all things Boricua.
“They’re just watching because of Bad Bunny. The funny part is, my mom, who is 84, and she’s over there, watching the whole Super Bowl just to watch Bad Bunny,” said Pe Erre owner Ricardo Rivera.
There was also a Chicago connection to Sunday night’s performance, with the artistic director for the Grant Park Music Festival making an appearance, conducting a group of string players during Bad Bunny’s “Monaco.”
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