Bad Bunny has responded to the conservative backlash concerning his Super Bowl Halftime Show slot while hosting Saturday Night Live.
Earlier this week, the Puerto Rican rapper made headlines when he was announced as the headliner for next year’s Super Bowl in February, an announcement that came after he admitted that he won’t be touring the US during his forthcoming world tour due to fears over ICE agents raiding his concerts.
Announcing the slot, the rapper wrote on social media: “I’ve been thinking about it these days, and after discussing it with my team, I think I’ll do just one date in the United States.” A member of Donald Trump‘s administration then confirmed that ICE agents would be present at the show.
While hosting SNL last night (October 4), he took aim at right-wing backlash to the upcoming Spanish-only performance, joking that “everyone is happy” about the concert, “even Fox News.”
He then rolled a series of spliced clips of hosts on the network, all of which combined to say: “Bad Bunny is my favourite musician and he should be the next President.”
After touching on his excitement about playing the coveted Super Bowl slot, he said he knew “people all around the world who love my music are also happy,” and continued on in Spanish.
“Especially all the Latinos and Latinas in the whole world, and here in the United States, all the people who have worked to open doors, more than I have achieved, who have achieved everything, demonstrating that our way, our carrying of this country, no one can ever remove nor erase.”
Wrapping up the monologue in English, he said: “And if you didn’t understand what I just said, you have four months to learn.”
In a statement regarding Bad Bunny’s upcoming performance, Jay-Z, who serves as the NFL’s music strategist via his label Roc Nation’s partnership with the league, said: “What Benito has done and continues to do for Puerto Rico is truly inspiring. We are honored to have him on the world’s biggest stage.”
The rapper and singer recently concluded his historic Puerto Rico residency, with the final gig live-streamed to fans across the globe on Amazon Music and Twitch channels. The night saw the Puerto Rican artist bring out a host of special guests to see off the residency, including RaiNao, Dei V, Ñengo Flow, Arcángel, De La Ghetto, Jowell & Randy and salsa legend Marc Anthony. The latter teamed up with Bad Bunny for a heartfelt take on ‘Preciosa’.
