Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny used the national spotlight at the 2026 Grammy Awards and the Super Bowl halftime show to share a message about identity and belonging.
His halftime show, one of the most-watched televised events in the U.S., incorporated imagery from Puerto Rican neighborhoods, references to small businesses and cultural traditions familiar to many Latino families.
In the show’s closing moments, the phrase “The only thing more powerful than hate is love” appeared on stadium screens, reinforcing the theme of unity that has characterized much of his recent public messaging.
During his Grammy acceptance speech, Bad Bunny — born as Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio — said people should not be defined by labels or documentation, but by their humanity. His remarks came amid ongoing national debates about immigration and citizenship.
Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Bad Bunny began singing in his church choir at age 5. He launched his music career under his stage name in 2016 at 22 and quickly gained international recognition for blending reggaeton, Latin trap and pop. His rise helped expand the global influence of Spanish-language music on U.S. charts.
In 2021, he won his first Grammy Award for best Latin pop or urban album. At this year’s ceremony, he won album of the year for a Spanish-language project, a milestone that further elevated Latin music’s presence in mainstream U.S. awards shows.
His Grammy appearance followed a 31-show residency in Puerto Rico, which he described as a tribute to his homeland. According to Rolling Stone, the residency generated at least $176.6 million in revenue and brought increased tourism and economic activity to the island.
Together, the Grammy speech, Puerto Rico residency and Super Bowl performance highlighted Bad Bunny’s growing influence not only in music, but in broader cultural conversations about identity and representation.
His recent achievements mark a continued expansion of Latino visibility in mainstream U.S. entertainment during a period of heightened national division.
