I always enjoy your posts, but this was the first time that I did a 'Save' of it as an entire 'web-archive' (html + all images), so I can revisit it in the future, regardless of what might happen to my internet connectivity somewhere down the line...
I consider this entry a work of art, Michael (as certainly was Bad Bunny's show itself), and as good as any historical primer I read when I was learning to read and understand the world around me when I was a child in the 1960s.
Several others here and at Daily Kos and elsewhere did fine analyses of M. Bunny's earthshaking 'halftime' show, but IMHO nobody outdid yours.
Grateful thanks to Bad Bunny and all the rest of you!
I'm coming into this space somewhat ironically. Or at least counterintuitively. I love what Bad Bunny represents. I love that his mere existence is fucking shit up. I am a huge fan of the outrage from the right that his existence creates but not for obvious reasons. I want to make it clear that what he represents is more important than his music, but I also feel the need to make it clear that it's OK for anyone to not really be into his music. It's OK to not like it. It's OK to not be down with it. I am also not a fan of Bruce Springsteen. But goddamnit do I ever love the guy for what he represents and stands up for and stands against. I feel the same way about Taylor Swift. It's the voice that matters, not the content.
So. That being said. What is so special about Bad Bunny's music? It just sounds totally boilerplate to me. Again, I don't need to like his music to completely dig what he represents in this moment, but what is it that's supposed to stand out about his music? And it's not like I don't get the Latin vibe. Have any of you guys ever heard the music of "los amigos invisibles?" there is some serious filthy disco Latin content that is so vibrant and amazing, I just don't understand the obsession with rap adjacent stuff at this point rap just feels like an American export that has polluted music across international boundaries. I so I so want to like it but it just all feels so the same.
My Spanish is extremely rusty and my knowledge of Bad Bunny's songs is minimal, but it might be the best Super Bowl halftime performance I've seen. You could feel the joy and the rhythm and the love in a way that transcended language, the celebration of Puerto Rican/Latino culture on full display. I know it's not the same, but my longtime ex-partner is Mexican American, so I was able to pick up on some of the cultural touchstones but I certainly missed a lot too. You could tell it was conveying a message even if you didn't understand it.
Knowing all of the symbolism just makes it so much better, so I really appreciate you sharing this with us. I so long for a time when these kinds of celebrations are the norm. Fuck ICE and fuck Trump and fuck Stephen Miller and fuck Kristi Noem and fuck anyone who tries to terrorize or rob people of their joy and culture. The reception his performance got gives me hope that we'll rise above.
Bad Bunny’s white plastic chair, set in front of plantain-laden trees, is identical to the one set in my tub that makes showering easier and safer for me.
"Bad Bunny then handed a Grammy to an actor representing his past child self" I thought it was Liam Conejo-Ramos (Conejo is "bunny" hence his bunny hat)
This brought me to tears. Thank you.
The last couple days I’ve been struggling between this amazingly detailed and meticulous performance that was potentially as culturally relevant as when Elvis or the Beatles first appeared on TV and the graphical sexual content of the Latin Trap music he showcases.. here’s my take so far .. https://substack.com/@johncharleslewis/note/p-187706916?r=cp5a8&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
I was confused, then I liked it, and then I didn’t.. here’s why.. https://open.substack.com/pub/silvertrain/p/bad-bunnys-halftime-message-and-his?r=cp5a8&utm_medium=ios
I always enjoy your posts, but this was the first time that I did a 'Save' of it as an entire 'web-archive' (html + all images), so I can revisit it in the future, regardless of what might happen to my internet connectivity somewhere down the line...
I consider this entry a work of art, Michael (as certainly was Bad Bunny's show itself), and as good as any historical primer I read when I was learning to read and understand the world around me when I was a child in the 1960s.
Several others here and at Daily Kos and elsewhere did fine analyses of M. Bunny's earthshaking 'halftime' show, but IMHO nobody outdid yours.
Grateful thanks to Bad Bunny and all the rest of you!
Yes! Just one note - it wasn’t a coqui but a sapo concho, also endemic to PR. Created by the wonderful Quique Rivera at Acho Studios!
I'm coming into this space somewhat ironically. Or at least counterintuitively. I love what Bad Bunny represents. I love that his mere existence is fucking shit up. I am a huge fan of the outrage from the right that his existence creates but not for obvious reasons. I want to make it clear that what he represents is more important than his music, but I also feel the need to make it clear that it's OK for anyone to not really be into his music. It's OK to not like it. It's OK to not be down with it. I am also not a fan of Bruce Springsteen. But goddamnit do I ever love the guy for what he represents and stands up for and stands against. I feel the same way about Taylor Swift. It's the voice that matters, not the content.
So. That being said. What is so special about Bad Bunny's music? It just sounds totally boilerplate to me. Again, I don't need to like his music to completely dig what he represents in this moment, but what is it that's supposed to stand out about his music? And it's not like I don't get the Latin vibe. Have any of you guys ever heard the music of "los amigos invisibles?" there is some serious filthy disco Latin content that is so vibrant and amazing, I just don't understand the obsession with rap adjacent stuff at this point rap just feels like an American export that has polluted music across international boundaries. I so I so want to like it but it just all feels so the same.
My Spanish is extremely rusty and my knowledge of Bad Bunny's songs is minimal, but it might be the best Super Bowl halftime performance I've seen. You could feel the joy and the rhythm and the love in a way that transcended language, the celebration of Puerto Rican/Latino culture on full display. I know it's not the same, but my longtime ex-partner is Mexican American, so I was able to pick up on some of the cultural touchstones but I certainly missed a lot too. You could tell it was conveying a message even if you didn't understand it.
Knowing all of the symbolism just makes it so much better, so I really appreciate you sharing this with us. I so long for a time when these kinds of celebrations are the norm. Fuck ICE and fuck Trump and fuck Stephen Miller and fuck Kristi Noem and fuck anyone who tries to terrorize or rob people of their joy and culture. The reception his performance got gives me hope that we'll rise above.
Bad Bunny’s white plastic chair, set in front of plantain-laden trees, is identical to the one set in my tub that makes showering easier and safer for me.
People calling this “divisive” are just mad the halftime show didn’t pause to ask their permission in English.
The show was wonderful. It's too bad about the haters; they never learn a goddamn thing.
Beautiful. Thank you.
My nephew's Puerto Rican wife has beautiful nails, which she paints herself.
Thank you for sharing this not only did I love this show but now I know just how powerful it was and its meaning. 💖🇵🇷
Thanks for filling in the blanks! Best half-time show ever, and now I understand it better!
"Bad Bunny then handed a Grammy to an actor representing his past child self" I thought it was Liam Conejo-Ramos (Conejo is "bunny" hence his bunny hat)
Thank you for that!