The following was posted on social media by a friend of a friend:
"Bad Bunny didn't say a political word, and that was the most political halftime show ever. They took a selection of things that are exuberantly gorgeous about Latinx life and they put them in a snow globe, and they put the snow globe down on the biggest stage in the world. And then they shook the hell out of it. I don't think I've ever seen anything like it."
That may be a hot take, but I like it.
Truth be told, I wasn't feeling that while I watched it taking place. The cynic in me was too preoccupied with other things, like the music itself, whether or not any of this was live, the elaborate sets and camera angles, the special guests, how long the breakdown of the sets would take before the start of the third quarter. It was a circus, for sure, and the 13 minutes of Bad Bunny music didn't send me flying to my nearest streaming service to binge on his records. The music always comes first and that halftime show was surely not the best way to be introduced to Bad Bunny, who I admit to never hearing a note before last night.
When all was said and done, and it clearly proved to be a success, I was elated. It was pure joy, given the circumstances surrounding it all. Just like Kendrick Lamarr's performance last year, I needed a day to process it all.
Sometimes I try so hard to be positive on social media, I can feel my ribs crack. It's not easy these days. It's hard enough to get out of bed in the morning, knowing that by the end of my first cup of coffee, I will have read about one more atrocity at the hands of this administration. And while I have no intention of burying my head in the sand, I think I need to appreciate distractions like last night's halftime show more than I do.
We all do.
Speaking strictly for myself, I kinda think the entire esthetic of the half-time show as it has evolved over the years -- regardless of the performers, who at this point strike me as utterly interchangeable -- is pretty mediocre. Last night was sorta fun, I guess, and on a political level I'm glad it happened, but music? That had very little to do with what we saw between the second and third quarters.
ReplyDeleteOn a happier note, I loved that Tommy Keene Stones cover and now I gotta go check out that whole album.
😎
It gets even better with the rewatch:
ReplyDeletehttps://youtu.be/G6FuWd4wNd8?si=HXRbLtbY5I4ft0S8
Amen.
ReplyDeleteI too was impressed with the whole package, if not the music, which I couldn't really hear and wouldn't have understood if I could. A complete CELEBRATION of all things Latino—and who needs it more now than they do? (than we ALL do!)
ReplyDeleteThe Emperor was compelled to stay on message and slam the show but I couldn't help but think he watched all that booty shakin' and thought back fondly to his days at Epstein "modeling" parties...
Did anyone watch the Kid Rock counterprogramming? I admit I'm curious how it compares.
My wife is half Puerto Rican and she had tears of joy on her face watching the performance.
ReplyDeletewell said, watch again blasting. I had bunny binged 4 a week & found it very enjoyable. thought b language barrier but his words just seem like more instruments he uses. there's a reason he's best selling artist in the world
ReplyDeleteI tried to listen to the song you posted but I hate ultraprocessed pop music, which I reckon is all pop music these days, so it lasted 30 seconds, tops. But I'm glad the dude played, and whatever else happened (I don't care about sports, or TV, so have never watched a Superbowl, or the Superbowl commercials I hear so much about). If it triggered the Pubes (as opposed to the Libs), then that's welcome.
ReplyDeleteC in California
From a musical standpoint it was atrocious but as a spectacle and a political statement it was a home run.
ReplyDeleteI'm not much into Bunny's art, but the presentation was fabulous and very much appreciate it's moment in time.
ReplyDeleteI don't know his music, couldn't understand the lyrics, but it was a good spectacle, perfect for a Super Bowl halftime show. It was fun to watch!
ReplyDeleteNot my cup of tea musically and even though I speak more than a little Spanish, I couldn't keep up, but so what? He's who they chose and there have been plenty of other halftime shows that I have enjoyed. It's about spectacle and marketing, and surely delivered on those. It shouldn't matter who's playing. 13 minutes out of a three hour+ football game? Go watch Kid Rock if you care that much.
ReplyDeleteYour summary captures my feelings as well. The performance was fine but I had no idea what he was singing about. Seeing the translations today was spot on for me.
ReplyDelete"LatinX"
ReplyDeletesays it all, really
I am a Bad Bunny fan, but as a political statement, I thought it was riveting and joyful and in your face. When Latino people are being terrorized all around the country by masked gov't thugs, it was wonderful to see the most streamed artist in the world crossover without singing in English and speaking up for being proud of his heritage and for being a US citizen. They didn't just have sugar cane as a backdrop (to the colonial exploitation of Puerto Rico) but showed people working and cutting the damn stuff down! I knew it was going to be awesome right then. Old men playing dominoes, people getting married, doing a shot, great food and music, all lovely. But also the blackouts that plagued the country (because of right wing corruption and backroom deals) and so much. His first words in English being "God Bless America" followed by a little geography lesson that the Americas includes more than the US? Awesome. It was positive and happy and proud but damn political. Who knew saying "The only thing more powerful than hate is love" would be divisive? Only if you're an asshole, which of course Trump and the right wing fascists are. I was thrilled and I ain't Latin. All my friends who are (even the ones who aren't fans) were really moved. And I'm taking Elementary Spanish at CUNY so I can know what the heck Im saying when I sing along. :) Muy fantastico. And anything Trump hates I love.
ReplyDelete