Washington, Feb 8 - One week after his strong message against the U.S. government's immigration policies made headlines at the Grammys, anticipation is growing today for Bad Bunny's performance at the Super Bowl.
The most popular and eagerly awaited sporting event by millions of people, where the NFL (National Football League) championship is decided, is for many the most important performance of any artist chosen to star in it.
The question is what the Bad Bunny will do during the halftime show.
"One thing that characterizes Bad Bunny is that he is a master of the art of surprise," said Petra Rivera-Rideau, associate professor of American studies at Wellesley College, specializing in Latin music and Latin pop cultures in the United States, quoted by CBS News.
But some believe that the Puerto Rican singer, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, doesn't need gimmicks to send a message and even think that the mere fact that he is there on this big night is the most important political message.
Some praised the historic choice and others opposed it, including President Donald Trump, who called it "terrible" and will not attend the game this Sunday.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell described the Puerto Rican singer as "one of the best artists in the world," and said that is one of the reasons that justified his selection, reiterated the executive after Bad Bunny's speech at the Grammys.
On February 1, Bad Bunny sent a strong message to U.S. authorities regarding immigration raids in communities across the country led by agents of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
When ascending the stage at the 68th edition of the Grammy Awards in Los Angeles — which in June was the site of major raids and protests — the singer raised his voice against ICE.
“Before thanking God, I want to say: out with ICE,” said the winner in the categories of “Best Urban Music Album” and “Album of the Year” for Debí Tirar Más Fotos, something never before achieved by a fully Spanish-language album at the most important music event in the United States.
“We are not savages, we are not animals, we are not aliens. We are humans and we are Americans. I know it’s hard not to hate these days, but let’s not contaminate ourselves; hate becomes more powerful with more hate. The only thing more powerful than hate is love. We need to be different,” he added.
Now, we just have to wait and see what happens in this final, where the New England Patriots will face the Seattle Seahawks in pursuit of the season’s title. A duel that will be experienced as a rematch of the memorable Super Bowl XLIX in 2015, a game that ended in a heart-stopping finish.
The Patriots will try to replicate their victory, and the Seahawks will seek to restore their honor in the clash that will take place at Levi’s Stadium, home of California’s San Francisco 49ers, which has a capacity to hold 68,500 attendees.
