During his Saturday Night Live monologue on 4 October, Bad Bunny responded to critics slamming his upcoming Super Bowl Halftime Show performance.
BAD BUNNY AND THE SUPERBOWL
The rapper and singer, set to headline the Super Bowl LX Halftime Show in February 2026 at Levi’s Stadium in California. It teased viewers who complained about his Spanish lyrics.
“If you didn’t understand what I just said, you have four months to learn,” he joked, after delivering part of his speech in his native language.
Bad Bunny, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, used the platform to celebrate Latino representation and unity, according to People.
BAD BUNNY, THE MULTI-LINGUAL PERFORMER
Speaking partly in English and Spanish, he said the Super Bowl performance is more than just a personal milestone.
It’s a victory for all Latinos and Latinas who have contributed to the fabric of the United States. He also playfully mocked right-wing media outlets such as Fox News.
This showed a montage of personalities ironically praising him as “their favourite musician” and “the next president.”
PUERTO RICAN PRIDE
Bad Bunny’s remarks come after backlash from far-right groups who questioned why a Spanish-speaking artist was chosen to perform during one of America’s biggest televised events.
Some commentators even suggested he wasn’t “American enough,” despite being a U.S. citizen from Puerto Rico, according to Axios.
Homeland Security officials’ comments about possible ICE presence at the event further stirred debate, though such claims hold little legal basis. Bad Bunny’s moment represents more than a pop culture flashpoint.
DIVERSITY IN MUSIC
It signals a growing global acceptance of multilingualism and diversity in mainstream entertainment values deeply familiar to South Africa’s multicultural audience.
The idea that an artist can proudly perform in their own language on a world stage resonates with South Africans who embrace music in isiZulu, isiXhosa, Afrikaans, and other local languages.
Bad Bunny’s confident response challenges linguistic gatekeeping in pop culture and reminds audiences worldwide that music transcends borders. As he put it best: fans have “four months to learn.”
