Bad Bunny. Benito. That’s it. That’s all. That’s been running through my head non-stop. He’s my top 3 on Spotify Wrapped. He’s all over my socials — maybe I’ve rigged the algorithm, maybe it’s destiny. Either way, Benito, you did it again.
First, he took the Grammy’s by storm — Album of the Year for Debí Tirar Más Fotos. And now? San Francisco (and yes, us at home, many time zones away, in our pajamas, living our best vibes) was losing its minds at the Super Bowl halftime show. Or as the internet has decided to call it: Benito Bowl.
I may not know a word in Spanish. I might not even be able to pronounce half the titles without Google Translate. But do I know every beat, every chorus, every choreography of Tití Me Preguntó? Absolutely. By heart.
The staging was insane. Sugar cane fields, piragua stands, jíbaros in pavas, La Casita in full color — Benito brought Puerto Rico to the biggest stage in the U.S. And the guests? Lady Gaga, doing a salsa version of Die With a Smile, Ricky Martin swooping in for Lo Que le Pasó a Hawaii, and a parade of cameos that made me do a double take: Pedro Pascal, Cardi B, Carol G and J Balvin.
And Benito didn’t just perform — he named every country in the Americas. Like, literally, every one. From Chile to Canada, then a mic-drop for Puerto Rico: “Mi patria, seguimos aquí.” Translation for us monolinguals: “My homeland Puerto Rico, we’re still here.” Yes, Benito. We are here. We are vibing. We are dancing in our living rooms like absolute maniacs.
Also, the cultural relevance here? Through the roof. He served heritage, history, politics, and joy in equal measure — from nods to the blackouts with El Apagón to celebrating New York’s Latinx culture in NUEVAYOL! — all while making it fun, kinetic, unapologetically full of life. I might not know who was playing the game, or care, but I do know this: Bad Bunny killed it.
And then there are some people who take the fun away. Oh, Trump. He called the performance a “disaster.” Sweetie, first of all, we’re in 2026. Second, music tastes evolve — just a thought. Third, wake up and maybe vibe? Benito’s bringing culture, joy, politics, and dance all in one, and apparently, you still don’t get it. But hey, bless your heart for trying. Those who get it, are busy learning the choreography to Baile Inolvidable and mentally planning a vacation to La Casita. Priorities, people.
Benito Bowl was more than a halftime show. It was a love letter to Puerto Rico, to Latin America, and to everyone who’s ever vibed to reggaeton at 2 a.m. It was celebratory, political, flashy, heartfelt, and so us. I may not understand every lyric, but I feel every moment. And honestly, that’s enough. And Instagram algorithm and fan pages, keep it coming! Here’s a reel which sums up the halftime show perfectly!
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