What do Bad Bunny & Michael Jackson have in common?
Using their platforms and music, to spread love and be inclusive.
Will admit it straight away, the above title is half click bait and yet, one hundred percent heartfelt. Part of writing an article, is coming up with a title that will get read. However, the title of this article also ticks the box of alluding to a very real truth.
One of the main themes of Bad Bunny’s SuperBowl performance, was One Love. A term popularized by the late, great Bob Marley. The only other uber, Superstar to have love for humanity be a central theme of their music is none other than the King Of Pop, Michael Jackson. This, explains the true significance and reasoning behind, the title of this article.
Starting off the article this way helps to perfectly explain the significance of what Bad Bunny just did. Unfortunately, some are as quick to criticise Bad Bunny’s SuperBowl performance as they were to criticise his selection to perform in it.
All Of Bad Bunny’s Critics Seem To Ignore How & Why Bad Bunny Is Successful As He Is.
However, talk is cheap. Meanwhile, did we forget what Bad Bunny looked like with his newly won Grammys???
Bro, literally had his hands full with the wins he is registering. Let that register, let that sink in!!!! If we are anything on this platform, we are music fans. Which is why it hurts or is disappointing to see Chris Brown throw shade or criticise Bad Bunny’s SuperBowl performance.
The truth is, the world is in no disillusion when it comes to the musical greatness of Chris Brown. However, Chris Brown needs to be self aware enough to realise that the real reason he has never performed in the SuperBowl, is himself!!!! Without certain past mistakes, chances are that Chris Brown would have performed at the SuperBowl by now. It still may happen but, it is definitely something we’ll all have to wait, to see if it happens.
Mase has also been critical. He shared his opinion that the SuperBowl half time performance has been getting progressively worse. Again, where is the self awareness? Mase is definitely a part of Hip Hop history. There was a time when he could have been described as, the hottest rapper on the planet.
However, arguably, Mase is too quick to criticise someone that has done more than he ever did for way longer than he ever did it. His personal opinion is cool but, his lack of appreciation for what Bad Bunny has done (or just did) in the realm of music, limits the relevance of Mase’s criticism.
What both Chris Brown and Mase seem to be forgetting is that they are both positioned with the advantage or head start, over an artist like Bad Bunny. The NFL are notoriously about doing good business. The reason Bad Bunny got selected and now has the most watched half time show in NFL history is twofold: the reach of Bad Bunny’s huge fanbase and the ability of Bad Bunny’s music, to make people feel good.
Even the great Chris Brown, globally, is behind Benito in both of those categories. It honestly seems like CB just really wants to do the SuperBowl and that Bad Bunny as a result, is getting criticised. However, that energy should go into two places: learning from Bad Bunny (because again, there are clear reasons why Bad Bunny just performed at the SuperBowl) and the studio. Artists need to put their truths into their music and start venting less on Social Media.
Now, To Give Benito his flowers.
In a world where so many people are about themselves. It is so nice to see Bad Bunny use his platform and his success to spread love to Puerto Rico, the Latino, Caribbean community and the rest of the world.
The first words that came out of Bad Bunny’s mouth when he won his Grammy were: Puerto Rico.
He thoroughly deserved those Grammy’s. He deserved the SuperBowl and when he got it all, he turned around, remembered where he came from. Then used the moment to spread love to his island and fans worldwide. Which is probably why Bad Bunny has so many fans.
Bad Bunny has come a long way. From working at a Supermarket, to winning Grammy’s and performing at the SuperBowl. Perhaps, the most disappointing part is, that Bad Bunny is trying to share some love with Americans, but it seems to be going over some, of their heads. Presumably because their focus is so rigidly set elsewhere, that they miss the love Bad Bunny is showing them. God Bless America, was said in English, but did it fall on deaf ears?
Nevertheless, the Caribbean people definitely felt the love and represented. One of the coolest parts of the SuperBowl performance was seeing the Caribbean, Central America and the flags of Southern American countries at the SuperBowl.
We the Caribbean are used to being marginalized. Referring to us as the third world is disgusting, regardless of how true the term might be. However, that marginalization is why we never had to think twice about the symbol or gesture of having our flags represented on the biggest stage by the biggest artist in the world.
That was a spectacular sight to witness. Bad Bunny’s SuperBowl halftime performance is one that we’ll always treasure.
