Unhealthy Bunny on the Tremendous Bowl? Mucho más Feliz
In case you aren’t a Tremendous Bowl or reggaetón fan, you may not know that Unhealthy Bunny was chosen because the headliner for the upcoming Tremendous Bowl. That’s fascinating”, you say? Nicely, it’s greater than fascinating – it’s phenomenal, controversial, and actually good. Let me clarify.
First. Who is that this man with the humorous title?
Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio was born in Puerto Rico in 1994 right into a working-class household. He rose from a grocery clerk to change into one of many world’s most streamed musicians. Recognized for infusing reggaetón, Latin entice, and politically charged lyrics, he’s a multi–Latin Grammy–successful artist celebrated for pushing musical and gender boundaries. The stage title “Unhealthy Bunny” comes from a photograph of a bunny costume he wore to a faculty occasion with a scowling face named “dangerous bunny”. Years later, when he started releasing music on-line, he posted that picture on social media and used “Unhealthy Bunny” as his username. The title caught.
Unhealthy Bunny’s choice as headliner for the 2026 Tremendous Bowl halftime present is a strategic transfer by the NFL to embrace the fastest-growing phase of its fan base: the Latin American viewers. The NFL, Apple Music, and Roc Nation collectively chosen Unhealthy Bunny to carry out at Levi’s Stadium on February 8, 2026, due to his means to attach cultures and bridge audiences via music that transcends language boundaries.
The truth that he has surpassed 107 billion whole Spotify streams, his Instagram account (@badbunnypr) has round 48 million followers as of October 2025, and he has exceeded 115 million equal album gross sales worldwide by late 2025 didn’t damage.
The choice is a part of the NFL’s ongoing Por La Cultura outreach marketing campaign to Latino gamers, followers, and cultural heritage. Latin America now boasts over 183 million followers throughout 9 international locations, significantly Mexico and Brazil – greater than the estimated 150 to 180 million grownup followers within the US. The league has hosted video games in Mexico Metropolis and introduced additional video games in Spanish-speaking international locations, together with in Mexico subsequent 12 months. Puerto Rico is symbolic of all that: the NFL estimates 950,000 to 1 million followers there, plus its shut cultural and territorial hyperlink with america and world stars like Jennifer Lopez, Ivy Queen, and Kany García.
Latin America is the place the NFL’s progress is. And music is one option to make it occur.
Unhealthy Bunny himself appeared conscious of that symbolism. In accepting the invitation, he stated, “It’s for my individuals, my tradition, and our historical past,” dedicating the milestone to Latin audiences underrepresented on such an enormous stage.
After all, Unhealthy Bunny’s choice triggered criticism within the US. President Donald Trump known as the selection “completely ridiculous,” whereas others complained that Unhealthy Bunny “has no songs in English” and “is just not an American artist”. He does, with songs like “I Like It” with Cardi B and J Balvin, and he’s a pure born American citizen who speaks conversational English effectively sufficient for reside TV interviews.
My recommendation to the critics is to get out of the best way earlier than the NFL’s entrance line and music followers run you over. Music is world; Latin music is the quickest rising music style on the planet immediately – together with within the USA, the place it accounted for $490 million in gross sales within the first six months of this 12 months (Taylor Swift, you had higher be taught Spanish and be a part of the KC Chiefs in the event that they play in Mexico Metropolis ). Everybody, stop carping and be a part of the thousands and thousands of “Los Conejos” cheering for Unhealthy Bunny. And dance extra, complain much less. You’ll be mucho más feliz.
Patrick O’Heffernan
Banner picture generated by Perplexity. Unhealthy Bunny has not (but) appeared at a Tremendous Bowl
Associated