How Bad Bunny went from bagging groceries to global superstardom

Summary

Podcast Summary: How Bad Bunny Went from Bagging Groceries to Global Superstardom

Podcast: Apple News Today
Host: Shamita Basu
Guest: Susie Exposito, Editor at De Los, LA Times
Date: February 7, 2026
Episode Theme: Bad Bunny’s meteoric rise from humble beginnings to global icon, his musical evolution, cultural impact, outspoken activism, and the significance of his upcoming Super Bowl halftime show.

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Episode Overview

This episode explores the journey of Bad Bunny (Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio), highlighting how he became the first artist with a Spanish-language record to win the Grammy for Album of the Year, and why he is a uniquely influential figure in music and beyond. Shamita Basu is joined by journalist and longtime Bad Bunny fan Susie Exposito to discuss his roots, artistry, activism, and his resonance with audiences worldwide as he prepares to headline the Super Bowl halftime show.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Bad Bunny’s Historic Achievements

• Grammy Milestones:
  • First ever Spanish-language record to win Album of the Year (Debi Tira Armas Fotos) [00:04]
  • Six Grammy wins, four consecutive years as Spotify’s most-streamed artist
• Cultural Impact:
  • His blockbuster Puerto Rico residency boosted the local economy
  • Set to headline the Super Bowl halftime show, drawing over 100 million viewers

2. Roots and Upbringing

• Early Life:
  • Grew up in a small Puerto Rican town; father was a trucker, mother an English teacher
  • Sang in Catholic church choir; early exposure to both religious music and pop culture (like The Simpsons) [02:58]
• Eclectic Musical Influences:
  • Listened to reggaeton icons (Daddy Yankee, Vico C), and American rock/nu-metal (Linkin Park, Green Day) [04:14], creating a unique musical blend
  • “From the time he was a child, he had a really open mind when it came to music and the arts.” — Susie Exposito [05:38]

3. From Groceries to SoundCloud Stardom

• Early Career:
  • Worked as a grocery store checkout clerk while studying audiovisual communications at the University of Puerto Rico [06:24]
  • Started making music for friends, uploaded tracks to SoundCloud in 2016—immediate viral success with “Diles” [06:24–08:30]
• Breakout Collaborations:
  • Early collaborations with heavyweights like J Balvin and Drake; the single “Mia” (2018) and “I Like It” with Cardi B were major commercial breakthroughs [09:35–10:44]

4. Breaking the Global Barrier

• Staying True to Identity:
  • Refused to switch to English for mainstream success; sings “almost exclusively in Spanish” and uses specific Puerto Rican expressions [12:17]
  • “He’s singing for the world, but there’s all these really special Puerto Ricanisms in his music that speak to his cultural pride.” — Susie Exposito [12:50]
• Latin Music’s Evolution:
  • Compared to prior Latino stars who “had to filter themselves” or perform in English to succeed globally; Bad Bunny and peers broke the mold [11:03–12:15]

5. Artistic Experimentation & Evolution

• Musical Range:
  • Every album pushes boundaries: mixes trap, reggaeton, pop-punk, nu metal, salsa, and more [15:03]
  • “With every record, he wanted to break the mold in some way. He’s very experimental.” — Susie Exposito [15:03]
• Album Highlights:
  • Un Verano Sin Ti cited as mainstream breakthrough; notable tracks like “Tití Me Preguntó” praised for their cultural universality and narrative creativity [17:23–19:00]
    • “He would write such a good musical… for what’s next for him, I would not be surprised if he wrote a musical.” — Susie Exposito [19:39]

6. Blockbuster Residency & Intergenerational Appeal

• 2025 Residency:
  • Brought together fans of all ages, boosting Puerto Rico’s economy and cultural profile
  • “Apart from the performances…the most special thing about being there was being surrounded by people of all ages…rowdy teens, and then even rowdier elderly women, you know, like, screaming their heads off and like, twerking.” — Susie Exposito [25:14–26:12]
  • His music is “liberating” and inspires joy, inclusivity, and pride [26:49]

7. Activism & Outspokenness

• Vocal on Social Issues:
  • Advocates for LGBTQ and women’s rights, speaks out against anti-immigrant actions and ICE raids [27:45–28:39]
  • At 2026 Grammy speech:
    • “We’re not savage. We’re not animals. We’re not aliens. We are humans, and we are Americans.” — Bad Bunny [28:00]
  • Criticized US government’s neglect after Hurricane Maria, taking messages to international platforms (e.g., Jimmy Fallon, 2018) [29:33]

8. The Super Bowl Halftime Show: A Moment of Triumph

• Significance:
  • Symbolizes validation not just for Bad Bunny, but for Latin music’s global expansion and the communities he represents
  • “It’s about time he headlined his own halftime show… This is also an opportunity for him to boost morale for Latino communities the world over.” — Susie Exposito [30:53]
• Cultural Resonance:
  • His story echoes the American dream and highlights music’s unifying energy
  • “You really don’t need to speak Spanish fluently to feel the current of energy that he channels in his music.” — Susie Exposito [01:39, 32:00]

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “You really don’t need to speak Spanish fluently to feel the current of energy that he channels in his music.”
  — Susie Exposito [01:39]
• “He went from working at a grocery store to becoming like the biggest singer MC superstar in the world.”
  — Susie Exposito [02:05, repeated at 30:53]
• “He’s kind of a cartoon character… He comes across as extra goofy and really playful in interviews.”
  — Susie Exposito [13:19–14:31]
• “He’s always put a lot of emphasis on the visuals as well as the sounds.”
  — Susie Exposito [06:24]
• “The only artist who can really outdo Bad Bunny is himself at this point.”
  — Susie Exposito [21:48]
• “You have to get to know Puerto Rico to get to know him. That’s essential.”
  — Susie Exposito [26:49]
• “He’s still a very popular guy. He’s still headlining the Super Bowl halftime show.”
  — Susie Exposito [29:54]
• “This is a huge deal for him as an artist and for Latino communities.”
  — Susie Exposito [30:53]

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Segment Timestamps

• 00:04–01:39 – Intro, Bad Bunny’s recent milestones and Super Bowl announcement
• 02:05–05:30 – Susie Exposito on Bad Bunny’s early life, influences, and musical curiosity
• 06:24–10:44 – Grocery store days, SoundCloud breakthrough, and first big collaborations
• 11:03–12:50 – Going global while maintaining cultural authenticity and Spanish language
• 13:19–14:41 – Susie's personal anecdotes about interviewing and meeting Bad Bunny
• 15:03–17:17 – Evolution of Bad Bunny’s style and experimental approach across albums
• 17:23–20:12 – “Tití Me Preguntó” and themes of connection, family, and vulnerability
• 21:48–27:45 – 2025 album and Puerto Rico residency, transformative experience for fans and local economy
• 27:45–30:14 – Activism: LGBTQ+ and women’s rights, immigration, and political outspokenness
• 30:53–32:56 – Super Bowl halftime show’s significance and cultural resonance

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Conclusion

This episode underscores Bad Bunny’s unmatched artistry, cross-generational appeal, powerful activism, and the pride he takes in his Puerto Rican roots. His story is both singular and a reflection of broader cultural shifts—NYT journalist Susie Exposito describes him as “the only artist who can really outdo Bad Bunny is himself at this point” [21:48], capturing his ongoing influence just as he steps onto the Super Bowl’s global stage.

For more, check out Susie Exposito’s reporting in the show notes or follow Apple News in Conversation in the Apple News app.

Transcript

[Shamita Sebastu]

This is in conversation from apple news. I'm shemit sebastu. Today how bad bunny became a global superst. Earlier this week, Bad Bunny became the first person with a Spanish language record to win the Grammy for album of the Year for his sixth solo studio album, Debbie Tirarmas Photos. It's just the latest milestone in a string of accomplishments for Bad Bunny. He's now won six gramm. Last year, he was Spotify's most streamed artist in the world for the fourth time. He wrapped up a blockbuster residency in Puerto Rico last summer that brought hundreds of millions of dollars to the US Territory where he grew up. And this weekend, he'll headline the super bowl halftime show, the stage that typically draws more than 100 million viewers. Some politically conservative critics have expressed their disapproval with that choice. But Bad Bunny, whose offstage name is Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, has remained unapologetic and outspok, especially on issues like immigration and his intentional decision to sing almost exclusively in Spanish.

[Susie Exposito]

You really don't need to speak Spanish fluently to feel the current of energy that he channels in his music.

[Shamita Sebastu]

That's Susie Exposito, an editor at Delos, which covers Latin culture at the Los Angeles Times. Susie has spent time with and profiled Bad Bunny several times, including for a Rolling Stone cover story. She's also genuinely a longtime fan who has follow followed his rise from the very beginning.

[Susie Exposito]

Bad Bunny's story is a very Puerto Rican story, but it's also a story of the American dream. You know, he went from working at a grocery store to becoming like the biggest singer MC superstar in the world.

[Shamita Sebastu]

Bad Bunny's music is rooted in Latin urban genres like reggaeton and Latin trap. But he often blends in elements from other genres, too, like rock, pop and salsa. So to talk with Susie about how he became who he is, how he thinks about politics and identity, and what makes him such a globally appealing artist in this moment. Well, let's go back to the beginning of his story. What was his childhood like? What was his family life like growing up? And how did he first get interested in music?

[Susie Exposito]

He grew up in a small town in Puerto Rico. His dad was a trucker. His mom was a teacher. She taught English. And, and he and his brothers didn't really absorb that, but they grew up watching the Simpsons a lot, which I think is a big reason why he's so funny. And he grew up listening to a lot of religious music because of his mom. Like, he grew up singing in the choir in their local Catholic church. But, you know, as soon as he started listening to hip hop and reggaeton, oh, it was all uphill from there, I should say.

[Interviewer/Host]

There's no turning back.

[Susie Exposito]

They didn't know it then, but, yeah, so he grew up listening to these really tough MCs. In the 2000s, reggaeton had this massive international moment. Daddy Yankee released Gasolina. I mean, I remember it because I played it at my little quinceanera party, I think. Yeah, we must be the same age.

[Interviewer/Host]

Cause, yeah, I heard of parties at that age.

[Susie Exposito]

Yep, that was one of our jams in high school. It landed at the right time for me, but it also landed at the right time for Benito. You know, like, young Benito would have been in middle school around that time. And he would listen to artists like Daddy Yankee, of course, but also like Vicoci, who was like one of the, you know, essential OGs of reggaeton, As well as Don Omar, Diego Calderon. But he listened to a lot of different types of music, which, you know, we hear elements of in all of his albums, you know, because he grew up with this eclectic taste that was. Yes. Like, you know, obviously, he's very, very rooted in Puerto Rican music. Like, his music is part of a Puerto Rican tradition. But at the same time, growing up with having, like, MTV available, he also knew about, like, Linkin park and, like, Limp Bizkit and Green Day.

[Shamita Sebastu]

And was he, like. Was he performing for other people? Was he kind of a ham or.

[Interviewer/Host]

What was he like at this age.

[Susie Exposito]

Like, a really creative kid?

[Interviewer/Host]

Yeah.

[Susie Exposito]

You know, the way that he describes himself, sometimes he's like, oh, yeah, I was really sensitive. And then other times he's like, oh, I was crazy. He's an artist. You know, that's just. He was always eccentric. And I think that's the key to his expression as an artist today is just the fact that he, from the time he was a child, he had, like, a really open mind when it came to music and the arts.

[Interviewer/Host]

So at this time, as he's starting to listen deeply, think deeply about the music that he's hearing, but also kind of dabble in making some himself. I mean, how did he start making music and how did he get noticed by anyone?

[Susie Exposito]

Well, you know, he was working in a grocery store checkout lane when he was a student at the University of Puerto Rico in Arecibo, and he was studying audiovisual communications. So he was already on track to become a producer, you know, to become a music producer, but also, like, you know, learning how to make video. And his approach to music is really a holistic approach. He's always put a lot of emphasis on the visuals as well as the sounds. So, you know, as he's learning how to produce music, he starts producing his own music. And he would produce beats for friends. I remember him telling me he would make mixes for like, his cousin who was like a drag performer, and he would make his cousin like, you know, a cool, like, dance mix or something to perform to. But he was also rapping. And it just so happened that he started a SoundCloud and started uploading songs to SoundCloud in 2016. And his first, like, big debut single was a song called Diles. The song, it blew up almost overnight. But the song featured other, you know, like, heavy hitting reggaeton artists like Arganjel. Osuna is a very sensual song. There is, you know, a progressive element to the song, which is about sex. But he's, you know, Bad Bunny's specifically singing to the object of his affections and kind of turning her into a subject more like, he's like, tell me what you like. I will try whatever you want to do. And I just remember, you know, some of my girlfriends at the time being really excited about this new artist. And he had such a unique voice too. There's nobody else who sounds like him. And he just, you know, kept releasing singles and people kept eating them up on SoundCloud. His next biggest single was called Soy Peor. It's kind of emo, you know, in its subject matter, but also like his voice, the sound, it's like a much darker sound. And he started getting attention from other industry people. And so he started working with this independent label called Hear this Music. And he would have been like 20, 21 years old at this point. And he started collaborating with J Balv. J Balvin came from Colombia and was pushing reggaeton as like, a pop music movement that could go international even further than it went when Darienki released Gasolina back in, like 2004. And then at some point, Bad Bunny started getting invited to collaborate with artists outside of the Spanish language sphere. And Drake was like one of his most prominent collaborators early on. They released a song called Mia in 2018. And then Bad Bunny hopped on the song with Cardi B and J Balvin called I Like it, which was his first number one single and a huge.

[Interviewer/Host]

Huge, like, song of the summer hit that.

[Susie Exposito]

It represented, like a massive breakthrough moment for Latin music. And Cardi B, you know, she's Trini and Dominican, so she was already, you know, like, getting herself ready to also share her, like, Latinidad with the rest of us. I remember how exciting it was to hear her on a song like that. But Bad Bunny started to resonate beyond Puerto Rico, which is a. It's a difficult thing for any artist to do. And there were many Latin pop stars who were paving the way for somebody like Bad Bunny to make an impact globally. Gloria Estefan, Ricky Martin with Menudo, you know, Jennifer Lopez, Shakira. But they all had to filter themselves or make themselves more marketable in different ways. And for a lot of them, it meant singing in English. And so this is where artists like J. Balvin and Bad Bunny were really switching things up because they, you know, they were like, no, we're gonna rap in Spanish, and you're gonna like it.

[Interviewer/Host]

And that's what he's continued to do.

[Susie Exposito]

And that's what he's continued to do. But also, another interesting thing is that Bad Bunny's Spanish is so incredibly Puerto Rican that I had to, like, look up all the different words he was using, because a lot of them I'd never heard before, which I think is a really crucial element of his music, because it's like, yes, he's singing for the world, but there's all these really special Puerto Ricanisms in his music that speak to his cultural pride.

[Interviewer/Host]

I just wanted to mention that you have not only clearly followed his career from the beginning, just as a music consumer and as a listener and as.

[Shamita Sebastu]

Someone who's interested in the industry, but you've now had the opportunity to interview.

[Interviewer/Host]

Him quite a few times.

[Shamita Sebastu]

Yep.

[Interviewer/Host]

You've already described a little bit what he's like, just personality wise. But, like, how. How did he strike you?

[Shamita Sebastu]

How has he. How has he changed, perhaps over the.

[Interviewer/Host]

Years since you first met him or even not changed?

[Susie Exposito]

I don't think he's changed that much, which I'm really. You know what I'm pleased about that. The first time I met him, I was profiling him for rolling stone in 2018, and he was at the Latin Grammys. He was gonna perform a song. And at that point, you know, Latin trap and reggaeton were not really getting much shine at the Latin Grammys. And so it was a big deal that he was performing. And so I interviewed him backstage during a rehearsal, and he was wearing this, like, really funny hat. Like, I think it had, like, big, like, mouse ears that, like. It was like a knitted beanie with mouse ears that were just kind of flopping around. And he was, like, doing vocal impressions. At some point, he started doing an impression of what sounded like Celine Dion, you know, he's just doing this Bray, you know, like, ah. You know, and. Cause he's like a cartoon character. Maybe that's the best way to describe him is he's kind of a cartoon character.

[Interviewer/Host]

I mean, he comes across as extra goofy and really playful in interviews. So I just. I would imagine that this is exactly what he's like standing backstage with him.

[Susie Exposito]

Oh, yeah, yeah. He's just hilarious. And the way that his personality just lights up, you know, under a spotlight or on the dance floor, it's so electric.

[Interviewer/Host]

So how do you see him having evolved as an artist through these years? Through each album?

[Shamita Sebastu]

Talk to me a little bit about how you think his style and his sound have evolved.

[Susie Exposito]

I think with every record, he wanted to break the mold in some way. You know, he's very experimental. His first three records, he experimented with some alternative music elements. Like in the first record, he has a song called Tenemos Que Hablar, which is like, he mixes trap with pop punk. And it's really fun. It's got this cool guitar riff. And then in his next record, Yoago lo que me de la gana, he has a song called Hablamos Manana, which is like. Like, he mixes trap and nu metal, and it just like, it was such a spl. I think in the beginning he wanted to show how much of an experimental artist he could be and show, like, the range of his taste. Then I think, you know, he was playing around with, like, these ideas of, like, concept albums. But I feel like his strongest concept album before the latest one was Unberano Sinti. And I feel like that was really when he started to break through to people outside of, like, Latin America. I mean, yes, his albums were going number one. There's. That is a fact. But I feel like people really started to get curious about him even if they didn't speak Spanish. Upon the release of Unbera no Sinti, I feel like that was maybe his, like, mainstream breakthrough.

[Interviewer/Host]

Yeah.

[Shamita Sebastu]

What about that album do you think.

[Interviewer/Host]

Was able to cut through in the way that it did?

[Susie Exposito]

I just think he has, like, the strongest, like, pop songs on that album. Like, we get the song Titi Me Pragunto.

[Bad Bunny]

Titi Me pretty much.

[Susie Exposito]

Is like the favorite for all the titis. I know it's just such a great pop song. Even though, I mean, it's a mix. It's like a. You know, it's got that trap element, but it's got this great kind of like, sing along element to it. And thematically, it's Something that connects people across diasporas, you know, like. I mean, you tell me, shumita. But, like, aunties are so meddlesome.

[Interviewer/Host]

Sure.

[Susie Exposito]

I feel like across cultures, it's not just a Latin thing.

[Interviewer/Host]

Oh, that's a. Yeah. That's a universal experience with the aunties. Yeah.

[Susie Exposito]

Yes. Every culture has the meddling aunties who are like, why aren't you married yet? You know, and, like, this song is, like, really fun. You know, he's talking about being at a family party and, like, everyone getting lit, and he's like. He's like, yeah, let's take a selfie. We're all in the VIP section. All right, Everybody in. You know, he's on the dance floor with Titi and then. But, you know, she's hassling him.

[Interviewer/Host]

She's asking him questions. Yeah, she's got the questions.

[Susie Exposito]

She's grilling him like, where's the girlfriend? Why aren't you married yet? And you know what? I think we need to grill men more personally. But. But, yeah, it starts out really fun, and you feel like you're at the party, we're all laughing. Hehe. Ha ha. And then the song breaks into this monologue where Bad Bunny and he gets operatic about. Turns into this opera about his commitment issues. He's like, you know, love sounds great, but I cannot possibly let myself trust another. I just think, like, God, he would write such a good musical. I'm just saying, like, you know, for what's next for him, I would not be surprised if he wrote a musical.

[Interviewer/Host]

You should put the bug in his ear.

[Susie Exposito]

Or an opera, like a Latin trap opera. I think he could do it. That's just one of those moments on Unberra no Sinti. And it was after that album that he made this, like, incredible showing at the 2023 Grammys and performed the song Despues de la Playa, which has, like, this incredible merengue breakdown. And there is this moment where all these Puerto Rican folkloric dancers just started spilling off the stage and going into the crowd and greeting all the Grammy nominees. And at some point, one of them comes up to Taylor Swift and starts getting her to dance merengue. And never in my life did I think Taylor Swift would be dancing merengue, but she did. And I feel like from then on, the momentum just, like, sped up after those Grammys.

[Interviewer/Host]

He's been on a rocket ship.

[Susie Exposito]

Oh, my God. Yes.

[Interviewer/Host]

Talk to me about the year 2025 for Benito. There's a new album. There was the residency in Puerto Rico. How huge were these.

[Susie Exposito]

I feel like the only artist who can really outdo Bad Bunny is himself at this point. And he continued to outdo himself at every turn. In 2025, he released De Viti Radmas photos, like, really early on in January. It's an incredible album. It's an incredible concept album. I mean, yes, it's definitely focused on Puerto Rico and the Puerto Rican music tradition, like Bombay Plena, which is like a. You know, it's indigenous to Puerto Rico, and it's like part of, like, an Afro boricua tradition with like, lots of heavy drums, lots of bass in the drums. And he wanted to connect younger listeners with that tradition. And so he connected Bombay Plena with modern elements like trap and reggaeton. He also incorporated salsa, which is like a diaspora sound, but it's also a really critical element in the DNA of, like, Puerto Rican music. So Daviti Radmas photos is like a continuation of this, like, musical legacy. That Bad Bunny, you know, he takes it out of the history books and into the present with his music. So Vaile y Novidable is like. It's honestly a perfect song.

[Shamita Sebastu]

What makes it a perfect song?

[Interviewer/Host]

It is.

[Susie Exposito]

It is just such a gorgeous salsa song. And it's got that element of yearning. And I think my favorite salsa songs are imbued with yearning. There's just something about the, like, Caribbean approach to yearning that is irresistible for me. The track, it's just. I just, you know, it's. He's simmering the entire time with yearning, singing to an ex lover that he compares to an unforgettable dance. Salsa is something that, for millennials in Gen Z, we think of it as our parents music. And I think it was just very masterful the way that he used all of these, like, nostalgic sounds or like these roots music sounds to connect with young people today, with the history.

[Interviewer/Host]

Yeah. You attended his show, one of his shows in Puerto Rico, right?

[Susie Exposito]

Yes.

[Interviewer/Host]

As part of the residency, was there any really memorable moment from you watching him live?

[Susie Exposito]

Last summer, I went to Bad Bunny's residency, like, during the opening weekend. And I think, like, apart from the performances, which, I mean, even if you weren't there, you could get a feel for it from all the videos on social media. But the most special thing about being there was being surrounded by people of all ages, like being next to a group of teens, really rowdy teens, and then even rowdier elderly women, you know, like, screaming their heads off and like, twerking.

[Interviewer/Host]

That was, I mean, I have to say, all of the snippets that I got on social media of these shows were exactly that. Just, like, people being really joyful, dancing, uninhibited.

[Susie Exposito]

Yes, of course.

[Interviewer/Host]

All the, like, kind of celebrity sightings at these residencies. I was obsessed with Jon Hammer, really, just being a huge, huge Bad Bunny fan.

[Susie Exposito]

And Juan Jamon.

[Interviewer/Host]

Juan Jamon, Yeah, exactly. Earning the nickname Juan Jamon. I guess that's his alter ego when he's in Puerto Rico.

[Susie Exposito]

Yeah. Yeah.

[Interviewer/Host]

But just. Yeah, there is something about his music that just seems to unlock something in people, honestly. Just frees him up in this really beautiful way that you're describing, seeing in person.

[Susie Exposito]

Yeah, it's very liberating. You know, like, his music and his MO has always been to feel liberated and to help other people feel liberated. And, you know, I know a lot of people who went to Puerto Rico for the first time to see his residency, because to get to know him, you have to get to know Puerto Rico. That's essential. And it was life changing for a lot of people, not just to understand his music, but to be in a place like Puerto Rico that has, like, such a vibrant culture and, like, history. And it's a culture that's contributed so much in the way of, like, yes, the arts, but also in terms of politics and social justice, you know, and boosting the economy was also a big part of having the residency in Puerto Rico. Giving back to the community in that way.

[Shamita Sebastu]

In addition to his support for Puerto Rico, Bad Bunny has also been outspoken when it comes to issues like LGBTQ and women's rights, as well as immigration. And he didn't shy away when accepting the award for best Musica Urbana album at this year's Grammys.

[Bad Bunny]

Before I say thanks to God, I'm gonna say eyes out. We're not savage. We're not animals. We're not aliens. We are humans, and we are Americans.

[Shamita Sebastu]

He told Susie in an interview late last year that part of the reason he didn't tour his latest album in the mainland United States was out of concern that ICE agents would target his concerts.

[Susie Exposito]

You know, Bad Bunny, prior to our interview, he had spoken out against ice. You know, like, they have been targeting immigrants in Puerto Rico. They've been going after Dominicans. Puerto Rico has a big Dominican population, and they've been conducting raids in Puerto Rico, and Bad Bunny happened to see one of them, you know, from inside his car. And so he, like, took a video and was, like, criticizing them. But, yeah, I mean, he's been so vocal against what the Trump administration has been doing for years. I mean, like, he went on Jimmy Fallon. It was his first appearance on Jimmy Fallon's show in 2018. He actually spoke in English, addressing the neglect by the US Government in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, which just decimated Puerto Rico.

[Bad Bunny]

After one year of the hurricane, there's still people without TCD on their homes. More than 3,000 people die, and Trump is still in denial. But you know what?

[Susie Exposito]

And so, like, you know, he was speaking up for his community, using the biggest platform that he'd had at that point. So he's always been a very audacious figure, and he didn't care. He still doesn't care. You know, like, he's still a very popular guy. He's still headlining the super bowl halftime show.

[Interviewer/Host]

Right, right.

[Shamita Sebastu]

Let's bring it back there.

[Interviewer/Host]

I mean, this is. This is a huge deal for him. I saw one of the promotional ads for it, and it was really cute, actually. It was him dancing with so many different people and just kind of engaging.

[Shamita Sebastu]

Them one on one.

[Interviewer/Host]

And it was of all ages and all races. And the line was like, the world will be dancing. The world will be dancing with Bad Bunny at the super bowl halftime show. I mean, help us understand what the significance of this booking is for him as an artist, for him as a person, and what you expect he might.

[Shamita Sebastu]

Do with this platform.

[Susie Exposito]

You know, I think it's about time he headlined his own halftime show. He has the material for it. I mean, he performed with J. Lo and Shakira, as well as with J. Balvin, you know, at the 2020 halftime show. And I went nuts when I was watching that. I was, like, screaming my head off at everything. And when Bad Bunny appeared, I was like, ah, you know, just, like, losing my mind. And I felt so validated, you know, not just as a Latina, but, like, as a Latina music journalist, someone who has covered the, like, commercial rise and, like, global expansion of Latin music in the last several years. Like, seeing all of them together on stage at the super bowl was so gratifying. And so I think about how many more people are gonna feel that way. Seeing Bad Bunny at the halftime show. This is also an opportunity for him to, like, boost morale for Latino communities the world over. I think those are the people he's really speaking to. You know, like, Bad Bunny's story is a very Puerto Rican story, but it's also a story of the American dream. You know, he went from working at a grocery store to becoming, like, the biggest singer emcee, you know, superstar. But, you know, beyond, like, the politics his music is also so dynamic and, like, invigorating, life giving, you know, like, you really don't need to speak Spanish fluently to feel the current of energy that he channels in his music. And I think that people who aren't familiar with him, they might still find themselves rocking with him, you know, at this halftime show.

[Interviewer/Host]

Suzy, thank you so much for this conversation. This is really fun.

[Susie Exposito]

Thanks, Shamita. I think we're in for a real big treat.

[Shamita Sebastu]

We'll include a link to Susie Exposito's reporting on our Show Notes page. And every weekend, you can find new episodes of Apple News in conversation in the Apple News app. Just tap on the audio tab, that's the little headphones at the bottom to find it.