Jay-Z defends Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime performance
Hip-hop mogul Jay-Z has dismissed criticism surrounding the selection of Puerto Rican artist Bad Bunny for the 2026 Super Bowl halftime performance, reports BritPanorama.
When approached by TMZ in New York City on Monday evening, the rapper defended the controversial choice with characteristic brevity. “They love him. Don’t let them fool you,” Jay-Z stated, brushing off suggestions of widespread opposition to the booking.
The music executive, whose entertainment company Roc Nation collaborates with the NFL to produce the prestigious halftime spectacle, declined to elaborate further. He faced questions about the backlash from certain conservative figures, including President Donald Trump, who have publicly criticized the artist’s selection.
Trump declared during a Newsmax interview, “I’ve never heard of him. I don’t know who he is. I don’t know why they’re doing it. It’s, like, crazy,” subsequently labelling the decision “absolutely ridiculous.” Former racing driver Danica Patrick also took issue with Bad Bunny’s predominantly Spanish-language repertoire, arguing that “no songs in English should not be allowed at one of America’s highest rated television events of the year.”
Patrick later expanded on her critique during an appearance on Steve Bannon’s podcast, discussing her inability to sing along to his music. The performer, born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, has attracted controversy due to his outspoken stance on American immigration enforcement, revealing last month his decision to avoid touring the United States over concerns regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement presence at venues.
Despite the controversy, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has mounted a robust defence of the selection, stating, “I’m not sure we’ve ever selected an artist where we didn’t have some blowback or criticism,” while expressing confidence in Bad Bunny’s upcoming performance. Goodell highlighted the artist’s popularity, with over 81 million monthly Spotify listeners, noting that the challenge lies in satisfying “literally hundreds of millions of people.”
Bad Bunny’s recent albums have consistently dominated the Billboard 200 charts, and his performance is scheduled for 8 February 2026 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. This choice not only represents a cultural shift in the NFL’s halftime show but also highlights the evolving landscape of music and entertainment, blending genres and expanding audiences.
As the buzz around the Super Bowl grows, the intersection of culture and sport continues to spark discussion, with performances becoming a canvas for diverse voices in an increasingly globalised spectacle.
