El Apagón in Santa Clara: Bad Bunny Just Reclaimed the Super Bowl for the Culture

Forget the pigskin; the real action at Super Bowl LX happened at the 50-yard line when Bad Bunny turned Levi’s Stadium into a massive, sweaty, neon-drenched marquesina. For those who thought the halftime show peaked with Shakira and JLo, Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio just sent a clear message: tthe world now officially revolves around the Caribbean.

The Set: A Love Letter to San Juan

While most halftime headliners opt for generic futuristic prisms, Bad Bunny brought the literal island with him. The stage was a meticulously detailed "mini-Puerto Rico," complete with a sugar cane plantation, domino players and utility poles, a cheeky, pointed nod to the island’s ongoing electrical struggles. It was the most expensive "I see you" to the diaspora ever televised.

Opening with the infectious horns of "Tití Me Preguntó," Benito emerged in an all-white ensemble that managed to look both angelic and ready for a brawl. He didn't just sing; he commanded a small army of dancers through a medley that felt less like a televised concert and more like a fever dream at a San Juan nightclub.

The Guests: Gaga, Ricky, and the A-List Pit

The Bad Bunny Super Bowl performance wasn't just a solo victory lap; it was a curated flex. The biggest shock of the night came when Lady Gaga appeared for a Latin-inspired rendition of "Die With a Smile." Seeing Gaga dip into the reggaeton rhythm was the collaboration we didn't know we needed and their chemistry was enough to make the actual football game feel like a commercial break.

Then came the king of the original "explosion," Ricky Martin, who joined for a high-energy segment of "LO QUE LE PASÓ A HAWAii." If that wasn't enough, the "mosh pit" on the field was essentially a Hollywood red carpet, with Pedro Pascal, Jessica Alba, Cardi B and Karol G getting more screen time than some of the defensive linemen.

The Statement Heard Round the World

Benito has never been one to play it safe and his setlist reflected that. Weaving in a tribute to Daddy Yankee’s "Gasolina," he reminded the world that while he’s the current king, he knows his history. The show reached a fever pitch during "El Apagón," a song that is as much a protest anthem as it is a club banger.

As the performance closed with "DTMF" and a sky full of fireworks, the stadium screens flashed a message that felt like a deliberate balm for a divided audience: "The only thing more powerful than hate is love." He stood there, holding a football emblazoned with "Together we are America."

Also, the wedding ceremony was real, by the way. Congrats to the happy couple!

In 14 minutes, Bad Bunny didn't just provide halftime entertainment; he staged a cultural takeover. If you weren't a fan before tonight, you were probably just watching the wrong channel.

How did the Benito Super Bowl show compare to your all-time favorites? Let us know if you think the Seattle Seahawks vs. New England Patriots game could even hope to match that energy in the comments below!