Bad Bunny is set to headline the Apple Music Super Bowl halftime show next year, bringing his Latin trap and reggaeton flair to the NFL’s grand stage. The NFL, in partnership with Apple Music and Roc Nation, made the exciting announcement during halftime of the Green Bay Packers vs. Dallas Cowboys game on Sunday night.
Expressing his gratitude, Bad Bunny stated, “What I’m feeling goes beyond myself. It’s for those who paved the way for me, allowing me to make an impact. This is for my people, my culture, and our history.” He added in Spanish, “Ve y dile a tu abuela, que seremos el HALFTIME SHOW DEL SUPER BOWL,” which translates to “Go and tell your grandmother that we will be the Super Bowl halftime show.”
The Puerto Rican sensation’s selection for the halftime show comes at a time when he is enjoying significant success, including a record-breaking residency in Puerto Rico and leading nominations at the upcoming Latin Grammys. Bad Bunny has garnered global acclaim for his Spanish-language albums, notably “Un Verano Sin Ti,” and is scheduled to host “Saturday Night Live” on October 4.
Jay-Z, founder of Roc Nation, praised Bad Bunny’s contributions to Puerto Rico, calling them inspiring. The 31-year-old artist, also known as Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, has won multiple Grammy and Latin Grammy awards and has become a prominent figure in Latin music, film, and fashion collaborations.
The halftime show, slated for February 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., will be co-executive produced by Roc Nation and Jesse Collins, an Emmy-winning producer. The show’s director will be Hamish Hamilton.
NFL’s senior vice-president of global event production, Jon Barker, described Bad Bunny as a dynamic force in today’s music scene, lauding his ability to unite genres, languages, and audiences. Apple Music and Beats vice-president, Oliver Schusser, emphasized the show’s anticipated impact, recognizing Bad Bunny’s role in elevating Latin music’s prominence in popular culture.
In the previous year, Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime performance, with guest SZA, set a record as the most-watched halftime show with 133.5 million viewers, surpassing Michael Jackson’s iconic 1993 show. Amid speculation that Taylor Swift might headline the next Super Bowl halftime show, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell remained tight-lipped, neither confirming nor denying the possibility.
With Bad Bunny set to captivate audiences at Super Bowl LX, anticipation is building for a memorable and culturally vibrant halftime show that is sure to leave a lasting impression on viewers worldwide.