Bad Bunny. Is it cultural or geopolitical?

[Mongo3451]

I'm not here to start anything, but simply don't understand the choosing of this artist for the Superbowl.  He doesn't sing in English.  I've been blasted on other platforms for being racist, old and out of touch.  To me, it's the demographic.  I'm being told the demographic is not what I believe it is.  I don't get it..

 

[Pixote]

I will probably skip the half-time show. I don't speak Spanish. Bad Bunny can speak English, but has insisted that all of his music be in Spanish. I can't see him changing his commitment to his native language, and that's fine. However, I would not enjoy the show if I had no idea what the lyrics were.

I wonder if they may have two performers? I believe they've done this before. 

[BearFan PHX]

Music has splintered into so many sub genres, since the internet and streaming changed the nature of what a hit song is and who hears it.

It's really difficult to find a performer who is young and relevant, and known by everyone in the family. Some few do break out, but to find someone that for example the players would think was cool, and mom and dad at home with the kids all can sing along with is kinda impossible now.

And that's gonna be an ongoing problem even after Bad Bunny does his thing.

[ASHKUM BEAR]

Bad Bunny is top of the charts worldwide.  Leave the country and watch a music channel and you will see the name.   When I was in a resort pool bar in Cabo, I loved the music.  

The timing seems political, but who knows.  Just remember people are easier to control when divided, so everything these days will be polarized.  

I will enjoy it like every superbowl.  Watch a little ofnthe game and enjoy the food, drinks, and people.

 

[Mongo3451]

At the Bears Raiders game Earth Wind and Fire performed and it was awesome...

[Pixote]

43 minutes ago, Mongo3451 said:

At the Bears Raiders game Earth Wind and Fire performed and it was awesome...

One of my favorite bands from way back in time. 

Brings back fond memories.

[Stinger226]

The biggest demographic of NFL supports would be similar to our age group. How many young people are on here? I would say more of a 35's on up? I Have never heard of Bad Bunny and I travel a lot overseas. I dont think its political who they put on the half times shows, I think the NFL is trying to expand its market and would pick someone like this for that reason.

Classic type performers that transcend all age groups would attract the most viewers for the half time show but people will turn off it if they dont know the performers. JayZ has a partnership with the NFL since 2019 and sets up the entertainment.  I watched Sharika and Rihanna but could care less about the others. 

 Some of the most watched are the recent ones but the popularity of the NFL brings record numbers. K. Lamar set the record with 133 mil viewers but to compare the difference Michael Jackson had 133 mil back in 1993. 

My favorite: Whitney Houston, Prince and U2. Back in the day I preferred Tom Petty-Kid Rock-Rolling Stones-The Who.  I go to a lot of concerts and would have loved to have seen Pink Floyd play a SB, it would have been hard to set their show up in real time because its massive. Was lucky enough to have seen them once. 

 

• Super Bowl LVII (2023): Rihanna.

• Super Bowl LVI (2022): Dr. Dre, Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, and Mary J. Blige.

• Super Bowl LV (2021): The Weeknd.

• Super Bowl LIII (2020): Shakira, Jennifer Lopez, Bad Bunny, and J Balvin.

• Super Bowl LII (2019): Maroon 5, with guests Travis Scott and Big Boi.

• Super Bowl LVIII (2024): Usher, with guests Alicia Keys, Jermaine Dupri, H.E.R., will.i.am, Lil Jon, and Ludacris

[AZ54]

I don’t like modern pop music I prefer to see and hear people playing real instruments.  
 

 

[Stinger226]

6 hours ago, AZ54 said:

I don’t like modern pop music I prefer to see and hear people playing real instruments.  
 

 

My all time favorite group. With them its about the music. It's hard to imagine they started their elaborate stage show back in the early 70's. Seen them at Camp Randall Stadium in 1996. 

[Stinger226]

 

[Alaskan Grizzly]

On 10/8/2025 at 10:14 PM, ASHKUM BEAR said:

Bad Bunny is top of the charts worldwide.  Leave the country and watch a music channel and you will see the name.   When I was in a resort pool bar in Cabo, I loved the music.  

Perhaps it was politically motivated who knows?  I always thought that those that might not like Bad Bunny performing were still boycotting the NFL but here we are.  

I’m fairly certain Bad Bunny appeals to not only a younger generation but also has an international appeal as well (as you suggested).  The NFL is still trying to expand (internationally) while staying relevant.  

My guess is several current NFL players have him on their playlists.  I know my daughters (both in their 20s) know of him as do most of their friends.  

The fact he’s an American citizen also should be a sense of pride, not division. 

[ASHKUM BEAR]

1 hour ago, Alaskan Grizzly said:

Perhaps it was politically motivated who knows?  I always thought that those that might not like Bad Bunny performing were still boycotting the NFL but here we are.  

I’m fairly certain Bad Bunny appeals to not only a younger generation but also has an international appeal as well (as you suggested).  The NFL is still trying to expand (internationally) while staying relevant.  

My guess is several current NFL players have him on their playlists.  I know my daughters (both in their 20s) know of him as do most of their friends.  

The fact he’s an American citizen also should be a sense of pride, not division. 

The 60-70 year fans might be the ones buying the  tickets now, but the league has to keep the game flowing drawing in younger people.  

[Stinger226]

22 minutes ago, ASHKUM BEAR said:

The 60-70 year fans might be the ones buying the  tickets now, but the league has to keep the game flowing drawing in younger people.  

That makes sense, they have the old folk they are trying to get the younger people to pay attention. It doesnt make who is playing the halftime show, I will only watch artists I like anyway.

[Mongo3451]

24 minutes ago, Stinger226 said:

That makes sense, they have the old folk they are trying to get the younger people to pay attention. It doesnt make who is playing the halftime show, I will only watch artists I like anyway.

It doesn't make sense from a marketing perspective, as I don't see American football ever taking market away from futbol or baseball in Latin nations.  80 percent of the world watching the Superbowl are English speaking.  We have plenty of marketable artists that sing the language.  

[ASHKUM BEAR]

16 minutes ago, Mongo3451 said:

It doesn't make sense from a marketing perspective, as I don't see American football ever taking market away from futbol or baseball in Latin nations.  80 percent of the world watching the Superbowl are English speaking.  We have plenty of marketable artists that sing the language.  

Come on, you hardly understand American artists words lol.  Music is about the rhythm and beat, which he has songs were you feel that.  I really don't care who plays but all the whining makes a lot people look bad and that is the picture that might be intended with this choice. 

[Mongo3451]

26 minutes ago, ASHKUM BEAR said:

Come on, you hardly understand American artists words lol.  Music is about the rhythm and beat, which he has songs were you feel that.  I really don't care who plays but all the whining makes a lot people look bad and that is the picture that might be intended with this choice. 

I've heard his music.  It sounds good.  I'd still love to understand it.  I don't think I should have to learn Spanish, in an English speaking nation, to discern it.

[Stinger226]

11 hours ago, Mongo3451 said:

It doesn't make sense from a marketing perspective, as I don't see American football ever taking market away from futbol or baseball in Latin nations.  80 percent of the world watching the Superbowl are English speaking.  We have plenty of marketable artists that sing the language.  

As I see the point of the NFL trying to expand their base, that does not mean I agree with it. I think in any marketing decision, you should always pick what the majority likes. As you see their seems to be a focus on the halftime show when it should always be about the game. The NFL has made bad choices in the past and dont expect that to stop.