Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, or better known as Bad Bunny, won album of the year at the 68th Annual Grammy Awards for his album “DeBí TiRAR MáS FOToS,” along with two other awards. This win for the singer is very notable, as it is the very first spanish-speaking album to hold the title. More significance is made with this achievement, due to the current state of the country with ICE kidnapping people off the streets, and the overall targeted hatred toward Hispanic communities. This increased aggression made its way to Bad Bunny with the amount of death threats he’s received, even rumors circulating that he had worn a bullet-proof vest under his suit–though there’s no full statement or evidence proving such.
I believe him winning Album Of The Year is quite telling and ironic considering the United States’ current condition. It gives the award much more weight, like it’s a huge slap in the face for the Trump administration, government officials and any other person who consistently pushes for the erasure of the brown residents here in America. The fact that he won in spite of all of that, serves as a reminder that these communities cannot be erased nor silenced. In my eyes, Bad Bunny’s accomplishment at the Grammys was a win for all people of color in the country.
Following the Grammy Awards, it was announced that he would be performing during the Super Bowl halftime show, which gained even more attention than his award. Many were excited for his performance, including me, while others criticized him for not being an American citizen despite him being Puerto Rican (US territory). Though what these right-wing conservatives really meant was that Bad Bunny is not white, and does not shy away from expressing pride in his own culture and heritage. Backlash against his performance became so polarizing that Turning Point USA announced that they would be holding their own separate halftime show, where viewers could switch channels to tune in.
Bad bunny’s long anticipated performance was–for the most part–positively received. The concert featured elements of Puerto Rican history, such as the opening scene of the sugarcane fields that allude to the exploitation of human labor on plantations that shaped many Caribbean economies, including Puerto Rico. He traverses through the maze while piragua vendors, domino players, Villa’s Tacos and boxers are introduced. During the final song, Bad Bunny shouted several countries within the American continent while an appearing message read: “The only thing more powerful than hate is love.” Then afterward, displayed a football into the camera inscribed with “Together, We Are America.” This performance is an artistic, joyful celebration of culture that simultaneously stands as a protest against the received hate.
The aftermath of this halftime show left widespread community and joy across social media. In the following days, even hours, I came across posts on my feed of families cheering when their country was recognized, art of Bad Bunny and his impactful ending phrases and people reacting to the show in tears. Witnessing people who are a part of these represented communities made me happy that there are celebrities such as Bad Bunny, who use their influence to bring communities together and to spread kindness–especially now where choosing love over hate is seen as the greatest act of rebellion.
