Life Imitates Art: A True American Artist, Bad Bunny

Image from Roc Nation.

Jack McCord 

Taking the stage during the half time of Super Bowl LX, Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, also known as Bad Bunny, is shocking the world with his political addresses and outspoken nature. Being a Puerto Rican native, six time Grammy winner, and diamond certified artist, Bad Bunny is meant to be an all-American artist. 

So far this year we have seen artists rise and fall. Though albums like Kendrick Lamar’s GNX earned early year success and artists like Olivia Dean and Sombr took the spotlight, Bad Bunny has been the only one that maintained his status as not just a national hit, but a global phenomenon. 

Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio chose his stage name, Bad Bunny, after posting a picture of himself as a child wearing a bunny suit and having a mad expression on his face. He later used Bad Bunny as a name on social media and the name stayed with him since. His early career started with his song “Diles,” released to the streaming platform SoundCloud. The track was picked up by Producer DJ Luian and in 2016, Bad Bunny was signed to the label Hear This Music. The following years were filled with singles, most notably “Soy Peor,” which brought the spotlight straight to him.

In 2018, Bad Bunny collaborated with Cardi B and Drake, with each song hitting the top five on Billboards top 100. With his talent brought to the mainland United States and popularity ever increasing, he released his first album. X 100PRE, which is an abbreviation for siempre, mixed electronic beats with island rhythms and was immediately a huge hit. In 2019, Bad Bunny and Colombian artist J Balvin released the shared album Oasis, which only furthered his popularity. February of 2020 saw a new look for the artist, in which he released YHLQMDLG, an acronym for “Yo hago lo que me da la gana,” an album full of up beat trap and party songs. The controversial nature of the album's music caught the attention of the academy, ultimately giving Bad Bunny a Grammy for best Latin pop album.

After releasing a few albums and singles over the year, Bad Bunny released what would ultimately be his most important album. Debí Tirar Más Fotos, his sixth studio album, released early 2025, brought the attention of millions to the political climate of his home island Puerto Rico. The album was not only important in raising awareness, but a tribute to his cultural identity. In this year's Grammy’s, Bad Bunny earned 12 nominations, ultimately winning three, for Best Música Urbana Album, Award for Best Global Music Performance, and most importantly, Album of the year. Bad Bunny made history for this, as it was the first Spanish album to win the honor of Album of the Year.

Bad Bunny at the Super Bowl

In 2020, Bad Bunny was brought to the Super Bowl as a guest, but fresh off of his Grammy wins, he headlined the 2026 game. Opening with his hit, “Titi Me Pregunto,” Bad Bunny gave a 13 minute performance littered with Puerto Rican culture, rich with sensuality, and to no one's surprise, packed to the brim with symbolism. Wearing an all white outfit, Bad Bunny brought the viewers’ attention away from the chaotic colors of the fields solely to him. Though still up for debate, his jersey carried personal meaning. With his surname on the back and the number 64, which many speculate was also of personal significance (possibly in reference to his mother’s or uncle’s birth year), it was definitely a needed change from the past few years' sparkles and extreme colors. 

In contrast, the set itself was full of Puerto Rican identity. From tall native grasses to the Casita (a model house reminiscent of a typical Puerto Rican home) giving many viewers a familiar feel, it was a perfect demonstration of the artist's humble beginning. 

The end of his performance was something quite memorable. Whilst walking out with a Puerto Rican flag to the song “DTMF,” the artist stated, “God bless America,” then listed nearly every Latin/South American country, or Spanish speaking country. Holding a football, on which Bad Bunny displayed the message “Together We Are America,” a direct message for the viewers on his sentiment about love and equality.

In reference to both Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl banner and his Grammy acceptance speech, “The only thing more powerful than hate is love.”