Bad Bunny Halftime Show Breaks Records
Roc Nation announced that Bad Bunny's Super Bowl halftime show was the most-watched ever, setting new viewership records. The performance highlighted hip-hop's global appeal and mainstream dominance. The record-breaking numbers demonstrate the genre's continued growth in reaching diverse audiences worldwide.
The record-setting 4.157 billion global views in 24 hours included viewership across all platforms, from broadcast to YouTube and social media. In the United States, the performance averaged 128.2 million viewers, making it the fourth most-watched halftime show in history, behind Kendrick Lamar, Michael Jackson, and Usher. The show was a vibrant celebration of Puerto Rican and Latino culture, with a stage design that transformed the field into a "surreal journey" through the island. The set featured a grassy landscape, a recreation of a Latin neighborhood in New York City, and detailed storefronts, creating an immersive experience. Bad Bunny's 13-minute set was almost entirely in Spanish, a first for a solo headliner. He performed a medley of his hits including "Tití Me Preguntó," "Yo Perreo Sola," and "Safaera." The performance also included a nod to reggaeton pioneer Daddy Yankee with a snippet of "Gasolina." The show featured surprise guest appearances from Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin. Gaga performed a salsa-influenced version of her song "Die with a Smile" before dancing with Bad Bunny, and Martin, a fellow Puerto Rican star, sang "Lo Que Le Pasó a Hawaii." Celebrity cameos in the crowd included Cardi B, Pedro Pascal, and Karol G. The performance contained moments of political and social commentary. The inclusion of "Lo Que Le Pasó a Hawaii" is seen as a critique of colonialism, while the displaying of Puerto Rico's blue and white flag is associated with the island's independence movement. The show concluded with a parade of flags from across the Americas and the message, "The only thing more powerful than hate is love." Immediately following the show, Bad Bunny's music experienced a massive surge in popularity. His listens on Apple Music increased by 700%, with "DtMF," "BAILE INoLVIDABLE," and "Tití Me Preguntó" being the most streamed tracks. The performance also generated over 2 billion impressions on the social media platform X. This was the fifth Super Bowl halftime show produced by Roc Nation, who partnered with the NFL to bring more cultural relevance and diversity to the event. The selection of Bad Bunny, a global superstar who performs in Spanish, aligns with Roc Nation's strategy to feature artists who resonate with a younger, more diverse audience.
