NEW YORK CITY– Crowds put on maga blossoms and “pavas”– straw hats generally used by jíbaros, Puerto Rican country farmers. They consumed Medalla beer and danced salsa.
Throughout a 31-date residency at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan, Bad Rabbit functioned a wonder, motivating nationalism in the hearts of a honored Boricua individuals, and in those taking a trip to Puerto Rico for the very first time. He carried out on 2 phases, one showcasing the island’s all-natural charm with its flamboyan and plantain trees, and one more, a casita (” little residence”), for the pari de marquesina, a houseparty.
If all the globe’s a phase– may too make it home.
In February, it can be anticipated that the musician birthed Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio will certainly bring the exact same spirit to the 2026 Super Bowl. And he’ll do so in Spanish– a landmark minute for Latino society.
Poor Rabbit’s “No Me Quiero Ir De Aquí” residency (in English, “I Do Not Intend To Leave Right here”) bypassed a typical united state scenic tour, bringing roughly half a million individuals to the island throughout the slow summer tourism season and generating an estimated $733 million for Puerto Rico. Throughout 3 hours, guests were assisted with a music background– reggaetón hits from Poor Rabbit’s single discography in addition to the folkloric designs of his newest cd, “Debí Tirar Más Fotos.” (” I Must Have Taken Extra Photos.”)
There was a political background, also: like in the impacting tune “Lo Que Pasó a Hawaii,” (” What Took Place to Hawaii”), a rallying cry for Puerto Rico’s freedom. Or 2022’s “El Apagón” (” The Power Outage”), of Hurricane Maria, its consequences and the proceeded temper and irritation over consistent, chronic power outages.
Naturally, a Super Dish halftime program generally runs 12 to 15 mins. It’s not a great deal of time to bring Puerto Rico, or its difficult colonial background, to the NFL’s mainstream– however it suffices for a preference.
It deserves discussing Benito has actually done so prior to: making a shock look at the Super Dish in 2020, throughout Shakira and Jennifer Lopez’s efficiency. He sang in Spanish together with 2 musicians whose multilingual hits assisted introduce a crossover age for Latin songs in the ’00s. He’s a straight inheritor of their successes, and he’s had the ability to kick the door down better– assisting to develop a market where Latino super stars require not videotape their songs in English to have a job.
Poor Rabbit is all at once an intriguing and an evident option for the NFL: Among one of the most prominent musicians in the world that recognizes that going worldwide ways accepting the regional, doing throughout the most-watched tv program of the year.
In a current meeting with i-D Publication, Bad Rabbit stated that a person of the factors his residency bypassed the continental united state were problems around the mass expulsions of Latinos.
” There was the problem of– like, (curse) ICE might be outdoors (my show). And it’s something that we were speaking about and really worried regarding,” he informed the magazine, referencing united state Migration and Traditions Enforcement. (Hundreds of people have actually been apprehended in Puerto Rico given that large-scale arrests began in late January, unexpected several in the united state region that has actually long invited travelers.) It reverberated with Latinos and the Spanish speaking community, that have actually expanded increasingly weary in the middle of expanding anti-immigrant view and raids, as Head of state Donald Trump’s migration plans and executive activities have actually greatly increased that is eligible for deportation.
Poor Rabbit has actually long been important of Trump and backed Kamala Harris in the 2024 governmental political election. “I will certainly always remember what Donald Trump did and what he did refrain from doing when Puerto Rico required a caring and an experienced leader,” he said in a video in 2015.
For some Trump advocates, Poor Rabbit’s reservation at the 2026 Super Dish is a dissentious political choice. Conventional analyst Benny Johnson explained Poor Rabbit as an “anti-ICE lobbyist” on Instagram.
Ryan Fournier, chair of Trainees for Trump, stated that “whoever chooses these individuals must be discharged.”
For others, Poor Rabbit’s reservation is reason for event. “Go obtain em Bad Rabbit!” wrote Bruno Mars on X.
Roc Nation founder Jay-Z, that looks after the Super Dish reservation, stated in a declaration that what Bad Rabbit has actually “done and remains to provide for Puerto Rico is absolutely motivating. We are recognized to have him on the globe’s largest phase.”
At least, Poor Rabbit, that carries out in Spanish and will certainly do so at the Super Dish, is readied to make background, better showing that getting in touch with a united state and global target market does not call for vocal singing in English.
The inquiry is– what messages will Bad Rabbit provide in a society where identification is politicized? And what does it imply that his efficiency shows up in the middle of among the biggest migration suppressions in united state background, where Latinos are especially vulnerable?
In February, Kendrick Lamar’s 2025 Super Bowl halftime performance made art of his brief collection, using a meta discourse on race and America. “The change ’round to be aired,” he introduced early in the efficiency.
It included star Samuel L. Jackson as Uncle Sam, whose personality critiqued the rap artist and his professional dancers worn red, white and blue for being “also loud, also careless, also ghetto,” advising them to “play the video game.” There was the feeling that Lamar was damaging the 4th wall surface, advising customers of the NFL’s political organizations complying with Colin Kaepernick’s kneeling protests and the Black Lives Issue motion.
That Lamar had the ability to weave American motifs right into his history-making efficiency as the initial solo hip-hop musician to ever before heading the desired port will certainly no question advantage Bad Rabbit. At least, he might gain from the rap artist’s split and theoretical stories, that messages on the NFL phase do not require to be specific to be efficient.
At every day of his residency, Poor Rabbit welcomed celebs– amongst them LeBron James, Penélope Cruz and Kylian Mbappé– to take part his event. He likewise carried out with several artists, consisting of Puerto Rico heavyweights Jowell y Randy, Arcángel and significantly Marc Anthony. Both duetted “Preciosa,” which is considered as among Puerto Rico’s informal anthems.
Created by Puerto Rican author Rafael Hernández Marín in 1937, “Preciosa” recommendations Puerto Rico’s crossbreed identification– a mix of Spanish, African and the indigenous Taino cultures— and dangers made to the island in its lengthy early american background. (” No importa el tirano te trate disadvantage negra maldad,” goes the carolers. “It matters not that the authoritarian treats you with black disgust.”) It likewise showed up soon after the 1937 Ponce bloodbath, in which a relaxed march arranged by the Puerto Rican Nationalist Celebration finished in an authorities capturing where 19 passed away and 200 were wounded.
It prevails for Super Dish halftime efficiencies to bring shock visitors right into their collections– and no question Poor Rabbit will certainly do the exact same– however that he selects will certainly wait to be seen. If he draws from guide of Lamar, any type of cooperation might have veiled political weight– educated by his residency, however softened for the NFL group.
