On February 8, 2026, the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots played in the 60th annual Super Bowl. The Super Bowl is one of the most anticipated sporting events in the United States but is known for much more than just being a football game. It has gained immense popularity for its creative and expensive commercials and, even more importantly, for its impressive halftime shows. Over the years, the Super Bowl halftime show has featured many well-known artists, such as Katy Perry, Michael Jackson, and Kendrick Lamar. These Super Bowl music performances are fun, exciting for fans, and impactful, so let’s take a look at the moments from this year’s Halftime Show.
Puerto Rican singer and rapper Bad Bunny took to the stage for the Super Bowl halftime performance this year. Bad Bunny, known as “King of Latin Rap,” is the most-streamed artist in the world and is a six-time Grammy award winner. Bad Bunny’s music is heavily influenced by Puerto Rican culture and blends Latin trap, pop, rap, and reggaetón. The artist is also known for advocating for immigrants and proudly representing Puerto Rican and Latino culture through his performances and music. His pride and culture were evident in every aspect of his Super Bowl performance. The field was transformed into a sugar cane field, with many Puerto Rican customs, including traditional instruments, foods, and dances throughout the performance. B-CC Junior Oli Martin gave her thoughts on the performance and said, “I loved it. It was really cool to see a Halftime Show performed in Spanish by an American artist.” Surprise guest co-star, Lady Gaga, took to the stage to sing her hit single, “Die With A Smile,” performing a salsa interpretation of the song. The Halftime Show also featured a real wedding; a couple had previously invited Bad Bunny to their wedding, and he insisted on the two having the ceremony at the Super Bowl instead, with him as a witness. Bad Bunny ended his performance by saying “God bless America” and proceeded to list all of the North and South American countries, alongside a large projection above him reading, “The only thing stronger than hate is love.” B-CC Senior Isaac Engel said, “It was really, really cool. I liked everything. I liked the people. I liked the symbolism that we talked about in my English class.”
While the halftime show is usually the performance that is most spoken of, there were numerous artists who made appearances during this year’s Super Bowl. American rock band Green Day performed as the opening act for the game, playing popular songs like “Good Riddance (Time Of Your Life)” and “American Idiot.” Green Day’s music is known for its electric energy, which is fitting for the Super Bowl, considering how exhilarating the game is for many. Pop singer Charlie Puth also made an appearance before the game, playing the piano and singing the national anthem.
While there was much enthusiasm and excitement for Bad Bunny’s performance at the Super Bowl, there was also a lot of backlash. Many conservatives were against Bad Bunny being the halftime show performer for a multitude of reasons. The artist has received some negative reaction for predominantly singing in Spanish, with very few song lyrics in English, which some conservative commentators consider to be a factor that made him a “bad fit” for the performance. Bad Bunny has also received retaliation due to comments he has made towards recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations, deeming them inhumane. Conservative non-profit organization, Turning Point USA Inc., hosted the “All-American Halftime Show,” with performers Kid Rock, Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice, and Gabby Barrett, as a way to protest the NFL halftime show and the performers starring in the event. The show claimed to be emphasizing values like “Faith, Family, and Freedom” through the performances, and was streamed at the same time as the NFL’s Super Bowl performance.
The musical moments at the 60th Annual Super Bowl were definitely ones to remember. Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance is a representation of both Puerto Rican culture and the importance of love and acceptance, and other featured artists at the NFL event bringing the extra fun and beauty the Super Bowl is known for.
