Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime efficiency felt like a nonstop social gathering, however beneath the colourful staging and dancing was a densely layered visible essay on Puerto Rico’s historical past. While a lot of the net narrative focuses on whether or not the present was “understandable,” “entertaining” or “political,” the deeper cultural storytelling was woven by the staging.From the sector itself to the electrical poles to a baby sleeping on chairs, this halftime present was filled with references and symbolism. I grew up in Puerto Rico, and to my household and me, these references have been instant and apparent. But I notice that with out the lived expertise, these visible cues have been simple to overlook.Consider this your cheat sheet for the moments that stood out to Latinos like me and what they really imply. Neilson Barnard /Getty PicturesThe sugar cane subject and the legacy of laborThe Puerto Rican celebrity opened the halftime present by strolling by a subject of uneven, textured grass, referencing the historical past of sugar cane plantations. Sugar cane is inseparable from the island’s colonial historical past, from Spanish rule to US territory. Agricultural employees within the Caribbean constructed an financial system that exported wealth whereas extracting sources from the island.While strolling by this subject to the beat of Tití Me Preguntó, Bad Bunny made a couple of cultural references, too. We noticed older males taking part in dominoes subsequent to the home, a long-standing custom nonetheless seen immediately on the town plazas. The singer additionally handed between two males boxing, which I feel was a nod to Tito Trinidad, a former Puerto Rican skilled boxer who holds a number of world championships.All the massive Latino stars in ‘La Casita’We can not ignore the various Latino celebrities who have been current, dancing on the little pink-and-yellow home that precisely represents what homes on the island appear like. I acknowledged Pedro Pascal (Chilean), Cardi B (Dominican), Karol G (Colombian) and Young Miko (Puerto Rican). To me, having all these artists from the Americas right here represents the welcoming of individuals of all nationalities into his “home.”The electrical utility poles throughout ‘El Apagón’ Ishika Samant/Getty ImagesWhen he carried out the tune El Apagón, which interprets to “blackout” or “power outage,” Bad Bunny and his backup dancers (referencing line employees) climbed electrical poles. The scene symbolized the frequent blackouts the island experiences resulting from weak energy grids and extreme climate. You may even see a number of the transformers explode, a sound that Puerto Ricans know too properly. It means no energy till additional discover.The little child sleeping on chairs at an (precise!) weddingWord has it that this couple, who acquired married within the subject, had beforehand invited Bad Bunny to their wedding ceremony. Instead, he reportedly invited them to get married throughout his halftime efficiency. So, sure. This was an actual couple getting married, and Benito used it to evoke a nostalgic reminiscence that almost all Latino youngsters could have. I vividly keep in mind going to child showers, quinceañeras and weddings as a baby, and the events occurring till very late, so I’d go to sleep on a makeshift mattress product of chairs. Our dad and mom had a lot enjoyable at these events that even drained youngsters wouldn’t cease them from dancing.A marriage can be maybe essentially the most distinguished celebration of affection and pleasure, a throughline we see all through this entire efficiency and a reference to Bad Bunny’s Grammys speech, the place he stated: “The only thing that is more powerful than hate is love.”Lo que le pasó a Hawaii with Ricky MartinProbably the most highly effective moments for me was when Ricky Martin joined Benito to sing Lo que le pasó a Hawaii, which interprets to “what happened to Hawaii.” This tune touches on the historical past of the Pacific Islands and the way we see glimpses of that historical past repeated with the US’s relationship with Puerto Rico. Ricky Martin singing this tune goes past two Puerto Rican icons becoming a member of forces. It additionally acknowledges that Martin himself, who began his profession within the boy band Menudo, navigated mainstream success years earlier than Bad Bunny by assimilating into North American tradition to appease international audiences. Today, Martin’s success, together with that of Bad Bunny, permits the 2 artists to say Puerto Rican tradition and heritage moderately than dilute it. Neilson Barnard/Getty ImagesHanding a Grammy to the little boyDuring the efficiency, we noticed a household watching Bad Bunny’s acceptance speech through the Grammys, and the celebrity handed the Grammy to the little boy. I’ve seen hypothesis on-line that he is referencing Liam Ramos, the 5-year-old child taken by Immigration and Customs Enforcement brokers, and later freed. Another interpretation is that the little boy is supposed to be a younger model of Bad Bunny himself, and giving him the Grammy symbolizes what one can obtain in the event you go after your desires. I’d add that to me, this gesture represents the singer paving the way in which for the following era.Toñita in ‘Nuevayol’While the performers have been dancing salsa to Nuevayol, you may see within the background a handful of iconic Latino companies, like Los Angeles-based Villa’s Tacos, a barber store, and a bar, the place an older lady named Toñita seemingly gave him a shot. Toñita is Puerto Rican and the proprietor of Caribbean Social Club, positioned within the coronary heart of Williamsburg, New York. It’s been somewhat piece of house for Puerto Ricans within the diaspora for the final 50 years. God bless AmericaAfter 13 minutes of just about an completely Spanish efficiency, Bad Bunny stated the one English phrase of the present, “God bless America” — a line historically tied to US patriotism at sporting occasions. Behind him, dancers carried flags representing nations from South, Central and North America. Kevin Mazur/Getty ImagesAs the flag march ended, Bad Bunny held up a soccer with the phrase, “Together, we are America.” That soccer was a prop in service of a unifying message, because the backdrop was an enormous signal that learn, “The only thing more powerful than hate is love.”For me, the efficiency was a masterclass in storytelling. Every visible selection, choreograph and tune have been fastidiously curated to convey Puerto Rico’s identification. Watching this dwell on one of many world’s greatest levels made everybody within the diaspora really feel seen and celebrated.
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