A New Era for Spanish-Language Music in the Mainstream
Shakira, known for her hit "She Wolf," has been a trailblazer in bringing Spanish-language music into the global spotlight. She recently expressed her support for Bad Bunny being chosen as the next Super Bowl halftime show performer. This decision marks a significant shift in how mainstream audiences perceive and embrace music from different cultures.
Shakira headlined the 2020 Super Bowl halftime show alongside Jennifer Lopez, and she recalls the challenges of integrating Spanish into the performance. “I remember when we did ours that even having part of our set in Spanish was a bold move,” she said. She believes that the acceptance of Spanish-language music has come a long way since she started her career.
The singer also shared her thoughts on the potential backlash against Bad Bunny's performance. “I hope and like to think that all the times my music was met with resistance or puzzlement from the English-speaking world before it was embraced, helped forge the path to where we are now,” she added.
Bad Bunny previously performed during Shakira's set at the 2020 Super Bowl. The two artists sang "I Like It" and "Chantaje" before Lopez took the stage. This collaboration highlighted the growing influence of Spanish-language music in the global entertainment scene.
In an interview with Variety, Shakira noted that Bad Bunny’s rise signifies the increasing popularity of Spanish-language pop around the world. “I’m so proud that Bad Bunny, who represents not only Latin culture but also how important Spanish language music has become on a global scale and how universal it has become, is getting to perform on the biggest stage in the world,” she said.
Bad Bunny was announced as the halftime show performer for Super Bowl LX in September. In a statement, he expressed his excitement: “What I'm feeling goes beyond myself. It's for those who came before me and ran countless yards so I could come in and score a touchdown… this is for my people, my culture, and our history. Ve y dile a tu abuela, que seremos el halftime show del Super Bowl.”
Despite the positive reception, the NFL's decision to hire Bad Bunny faced criticism from some conservative political figures, including Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, House Speaker Mike Johnson, and former President Donald Trump. A petition to replace Bad Bunny with George Strait reached 50,000 signatures on Change.org. Additionally, Charlie Kirk's organization, Turning Point USA, announced plans to produce an "All American Halftime Show" as an alternative.
However, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell defended the league's decision, stating, “I'm not sure we've ever selected an artist where we didn't have some blowback or criticism.” He added, “He understands the platform that he's on.” Goodell expressed confidence that the show will be a great event.
Bad Bunny will take the stage at Super Bowl LX on February 8, 2026. His performance is expected to be a celebration of cultural diversity and a testament to the growing influence of Spanish-language music on the global stage.
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