English-speaking NFL fans can still fully appreciate and "vibe with" Bad Bunny's upcoming Super Bowl halftime show, even though his songs are predominantly in Spanish, according to his close friend and fellow artist J Balvin. The Colombian singer has addressed concerns about the language barrier, suggesting that understanding the lyrics is not essential to enjoying the music.
Language Barrier No Obstacle to Enjoyment
Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, is finally set to perform the halftime show at Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara this Sunday. This performance comes five months after his initial unveiling as the musical act sparked significant controversy and uproar among certain segments of American football fans.
Given that virtually all of his extensive discography is performed in Spanish, coupled with his frequent and vocal criticism of former President Donald Trump's immigration policies, the NFL's decision to select the Puerto Rican rapper has left thousands of American spectators furious and questioning the choice.
J Balvin's Perspective on Musical Connection
Yet, according to Colombian superstar J Balvin, fans do not need to comprehend the literal meaning of the lyrics to connect with and enjoy Benito's energetic and innovative music. "I learned and grew up listening to hip-hop," he explained to TMZ when directly questioned about widespread concerns over Bad Bunny's performance. "I didn’t know what they were saying. I would just vibe with it."
Balvin elaborated further, offering simple advice to skeptical viewers: "They just gotta jump on the flavor, that’s all they gotta do. That’s followers." When asked which specific Bad Bunny song he is most anticipating hearing at Levi's Stadium during the show, he enthusiastically responded, "All of them! That's my man."
Persistent Backlash and Political Tensions
Bad Bunny will take to the global stage during the halftime interval as the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots compete for Super Bowl glory. However, the selection has been mired in controversy from the moment it was announced in September.
Former President Donald Trump has notably led the backlash against the Puerto Rican rapper over the past five months, rallying MAGA-leaning NFL fans and conservative commentators against the choice. It remains uncertain whether Trump will attend the event in Santa Clara to witness the performance live. One of his aides recently suggested he will not be present, having been warned that California may not welcome him kindly.
Criticism from Football Legends
The NFL's decision has also angered several football legends. Hall of Fame running back Eric Dickerson has doubled down on his recent criticism of the choice. The 65-year-old claimed he would prefer to see virtually anyone else perform the halftime show over Benito.
Just days before Super Bowl LX, Dickerson stressed his viewpoint: "Why can't we get somebody from right here, from home? How about someone from right here in San Francisco? All these artists right here in the area to play at the Super Bowl. I don't see why they chose that. But the NFL does things that just baffle your mind, so."
He further questioned how a Spanish-language performance would effectively connect with a broader national audience. When reminded that Puerto Rico is American, Dickerson fired back, stressing that it is a "territory" of the United States and that Puerto Ricans do not possess the right to vote in presidential elections.
Bad Bunny's Political Stance and Personal Anxiety
Bad Bunny has previously spoken out forcefully against the Trump administration, specifically citing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents as a primary reason for excluding mainland US dates from his recent tour. He reiterated these criticisms at the 2026 Grammy Awards, doubling down on his stance during his acceptance speech.
As the contentious performance approaches, the 31-year-old artist admitted he is struggling with pre-show anxiety and insomnia. "I've been working on this show, what we're gonna do next Sunday, it's a lot," he revealed earlier this week. "Thinking about the Super Bowl at 4am, that's what I've been doing. It's been hard to not."
Despite the pressure, Bad Bunny expressed a mixture of happiness and nervous anticipation. "I'm happy but I'm just processing, taking one day at a time. I just try to take it easy. Wake up, work out, drink my coffee, try not to think too much about it. Last night I couldn't sleep, I was thinking about it. I want to think it's 13 minutes of doing what I love, what I like. I know I'm gonna have fun."
