Bad Bunny, The Super Bowl, and the American Denial of Puerto Rico

Summary

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Podcast Summary: "Bad Bunny, The Super Bowl, and the American Denial of Puerto Rico"

Podcast: How Is This Better?
Host: Akilah Hughes (COURIER)
Guest: Becca Ramos
Date: February 6, 2026

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Episode Overview

This episode tackles the U.S. response to Puerto Rican identity and visibility, focusing on Bad Bunny's historic headlining of the Super Bowl halftime show. Akilah Hughes and her guest, Becca Ramos, unpack the backlash, the implications for Puerto Rican and Latin American communities, and the broader issues of racism, assimilation, and colonial legacy. The conversation weaves pop culture, politics, and personal reflection, exploring why Puerto Rico’s place in America is consistently denied or diminished, and what it means for art, representation, and justice.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Cultural Backlash to Bad Bunny at the Super Bowl

• The episode opens by noting the intense conservative backlash to Bad Bunny—Puerto Rican global superstar—headlining the Super Bowl halftime show.

• Conservative pundits react negatively, citing his Spanish-language performances and identity.

  • Quote: (Imitating pundits) “The NFL just chose the Bad Bunny Rabbit, or whatever his name. I think it's absolutely ridiculous.” (01:26, Parody of Fox News/Newsmax commentary)

• Akilah and Becca debunk these critiques as racially motivated and highlight America’s double standard about language and culture at major events.

  • Becca: “It's pure racism, right?...English is not the actual label language of the United States. There is no official language. But through colonization and...history and whiteness...English has become the dominant [language]...If you aren't leaning into English first, then it's always already othering you.” (05:05)

2. The Role of Art and Assimilation in American Culture

• The hosts discuss how art resists assimilation—art is not supposed to make everyone comfortable.

  • Becca: “That's actually not the point of art. The point is to, like, express. And it...” (06:23)
  • Akilah: “Art, by nature, is the antithesis of cultural assimilation. It's a culture driver.” (06:06)

• They reminisce on past halftime acts (Beyoncé, Kendrick, Janet Jackson) that drew similar ire when non-white performers took center stage, framing Bad Bunny’s backlash as part of a broader pattern.

  • Akilah: “Every single time an artist isn't white and is asked to headline the Super Bowl, the right wing tries to create a culture war out of it.” (07:46)

3. Puerto Rico’s Political Status and American Apathy

• The show pivots to Puerto Rico’s status as a U.S. territory:

  • Becca Ramos: “It is an unincorporated territory. And that language is purposeful because...they considered Puerto Rico too savage to be a part of the United States...” (09:51)
  • Citizenship was granted for military reasons, not equality, highlighting a historical belief in Puerto Rican inferiority.

• This misunderstanding persists today:

  • Many Americans don’t realize Puerto Rico is legally part of the U.S.
  • ICE conducts raids, targeting Spanish-speaking American citizens.
    • Akilah (paraphrasing ICE conversation): “‘Why are you asking me for my paperwork?’ ‘Because of your accent.’ ... ‘Now, talking to you, seeing, hearing that you have an accent, I have reason to believe that you are not born of this country.’” (11:01)

4. The Super Bowl as Cultural Battleground

• The Super Bowl halftime show embodies a struggle over national identity.

• Right-wing groups, in protest, set up rival “All American Halftime Shows,” such as Turning Point USA booking Kid Rock as counter-programming.

  • Becca (on the counter-programming): “I'm like, well, that's fin. I guess you could also say it's like counter programming if somebody uses the bathroom. Like, it's about the same level...” (12:26)

• The guest highlights how these protests, plus increased ICE raids, reflect a deep discomfort with Latino identity being visible in “mainstream” American spaces.

5. Puerto Rican-American Experience and Racial Complexity

• Other Latin Americans think Puerto Ricans "have it good" as citizens, but Becca describes the racism Puerto Ricans face and the helplessness watching ICE target anyone “who looks brown.”

  • Becca: “ICE is also just grabbing any person that looks brown. And that is so fucked.” (13:27)

• The episode ends by asserting the rightful place of Puerto Rican culture and music on the world stage, with Bad Bunny’s success representing progress and power—regardless of mainstream comfort.

  • Akilah: “The culture moved forward without asking, see you at halftime. Learn the words or don't. Throw ass or don't. Either way, get off my lawn with that get off my lawn shit.” (14:13)

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the essence of art:
  “The point of art is not to pander. The point is to, like, express.”
  — Becca Ramos, (06:23)

• On language and racism:
  “If you aren't leaning into English first, then it's always already othering you. So I should have anticipated that the backlash would be, yeah, they're going to be upset, because I know deep down he's not going to sing any songs in English. But I was so excited that I didn't think anything of that. And I don't think anybody should, because throwing ass is a universal language, and you don't need to know what he's saying to catch a beat.”
  — Becca Ramos, (05:05)

• On Puerto Rico's legal status:
  “It is an unincorporated territory. And that language is purposeful because...they considered Puerto Rico too savage to be a part of the United States.”
  — Becca Ramos, (09:51)

• Bad Bunny, at the Grammys:
  “We're not savage. We're not animals. We're not aliens. We are humans, and we are Americans.”
  — (10:39)

• On cultural double-standards:
  “Every single time an artist isn't white and is asked to headline the super bowl, the right wing tries to create a culture war out of it.”
  — Akilah Hughes, (07:46)

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Key Timestamps

• 01:26 – Conservative backlash clips mocking Bad Bunny, critiques on language and gender expression
• 02:53 – Discussion begins on anticipating the backlash and its racial undertones
• 05:05 – Becca breaks down the English-language requirement as a tool of othering
• 06:06-06:37 – The team discusses art, assimilation, and the recurring halftime show outrage
• 07:46 – Akilah traces the pattern of cultural war around non-white halftime performers
• 09:51 – Becca explains the origins of Puerto Rico’s “unincorporated territory” status
• 10:39 – Bad Bunny’s Grammy speech: reclaiming humanity and American identity
• 11:01 – Real-life outcomes: ICE raids targeting Puerto Rican citizens
• 12:18-12:54 – Explanation and critique of "All American Halftime Show" counter-programming
• 13:27 – ICE’s impact on Puerto Ricans and broader Latin community
• 14:13 – Closing thoughts on representation and cultural progress

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Tone & Style

The episode balances sharp humor, frustration, and pride. Akilah and Becca embrace a casual but incisive style, using pop culture references, sarcasm, and direct language to call out hypocrisy while celebrating Puerto Rican resilience and creativity.

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Conclusion

This episode of "How Is This Better?" deftly links the cultural moment of Bad Bunny at the Super Bowl to deep-seated issues of American exclusion, xenophobia, and the ongoing struggle for Puerto Rican visibility. It invites listeners to recognize the power of art to challenge assimilation and pushes for a future where belonging isn't conditional on comfort or translation.

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Transcript

[A]

Over the same old news cycle. Tune in to Hysteria, your weekly group chat with me, Erin Ryan, and my co host Alyssa Mastromonico, where no topic is off limits. From politics to pop culture, we're bringing you brutally honest takes on the stories shaping our lives, from powerhouse women like Elisa Slotkin to wellness trends in education.

[B]

No sugarcoating, no doom scrolling, just real talk, strong women and hope to keep moving forward. Catch Hysteria wherever you get your podcasts and tune into our YouTube channel for full episodes and our special series Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico, the Caribbean island, has been part of the United States since 1898 and the end of the Spanish American war, with full US citizenship being extended to Puerto Ricans in 1917. Puerto Ricans are Americans, and yet they've not been afforded the same rights and representation as those of us born on the mainland. President Trump is in Puerto Rico today, meeting with officials and victims of Hurricane Maria. During the visit, the President tossed rolls of paper T towels into the crowd. And regardless of the massive impact Puerto Ricans have had on American culture, conservatives have chosen to die on a hill of hatred that doesn't really make sense. This Sunday, Benito Antonio Martinez Ocasio, AKA Bad Bunny, is set to headline the biggest stage in entertainment, the super bowl halftime show. And the American right, predictably and embarrassingly, has responded exactly as you'd expect.

[C]

The NFL just chose the Bad Bunny Rabbit, or whatever his name. I think it's absolutely ridiculous.

[B]

I'm Mikaela Hughes, and on this episode of How Is this Better? I wanted to get to the bottom of the constant maligning of Puerto Rico in American politics. My guest today is becca Ramos. An EP across a range of podcasts at iHeart, including Las Culturalistas, and the host of the brand new podcast welcome to El Barrio, about the history, culture and identity of Puerto Rico and Puerto Ricans.

[D]

We're recording this before the Grammys. We'll know on Sunday.

[E]

Oh, that's so crazy. I like didn't put too I'm like, oh my God, the Grammys are on Sunday.

[D]

Yeah, and so like I I'm in for Album of the Year and I'll have to slate in if it doesn't happen.

[B]

Sidebar no slate needed. Bad Bunny won Album of the Year, the first Spanish language album to do so, and notably in a time when the United States is reeling from the ICE raids and killings in Minneapolis, Minnesota. So I wanted to get her opinion on the backlash before diving into the big picture of all of this happening now. The moment it was announced, we get the conservative Pundits on Fox News, Newsmax, Megyn Kelly, Benny Johnson, all of the usual suspects. They're freaked out by the NFL's choice. I would take Roseanne singing the national anthem again over this guy.

[E]

It's so shameful that they've decided to pick somebody who just seems to hate America so much.

[C]

We have a cross dresser who doesn't speak English doing the halftime show.

[D]

Did you anticipate that and what was your reaction to their sort of Mel Down?

[E]

I honestly didn't expect it to be that big, especially because he had been dominating the culture for the whole year with relatively positive feedback. Right. Like, obviously, the conservatives are always going to conservative. You know, they're always going to have something to say, no matter what.

[D]

Yeah.

[B]

They.

[D]

They're. They're trying to start the race war.

[E]

Yeah. You know, so it's like. Yeah. But it never felt louder than the positive feedback that he was getting from his residency, from all the things he was doing from his performances on snl. I do think, obviously, as I was noting about NFL America, whatever, I do think that struck a chord. I think that was like, where the conservatives are, like, this is our territory. Football sport. You know, this isn't soccer. They're like, this is American football. I guess retrospectively, I can anticipate that backlash, given that the ice conversation had gotten so increasingly awful from summer to fall. But, yeah, in the moment, I was kind of taken aback at how bad the backlash was.

[B]

Absolutely.

[D]

And I mean, it's actually interesting. Like, it almost seems like that's part of the rite of passage for doing halftime. Like, Kendrick's performance was deeply scrutinized. Beyonce, when she was on the Coldplay halftime and did formation, there was a huge backlash moment. And so you're right, there is sort of this, I think, cultural bias against culture when it comes to the NFL. Like, it's. It's almost always guaranteed to be something that is popular. And unfortunately for the conservatives, they just. They do not break through when it comes to music. Um, but let's. I'll just go through some of their critiques. You know, what do you hear when people say that they're mad that he doesn't sing in English? Like, because why does it matter, frankly, if I'm not a fan of who's performing at halftime? I don't know their songs. Right. I don't usually get upset about the fact that I can't sing along, but suddenly, if he had sang in English, it would be a problem. So, I mean, what do you really think is behind That.

[E]

I mean, it's pure racism, right? It's pure. And this is a conversation that I think has been had considering the ICE conversation, because it's about the immigrants. It's about America. English. Yeah, but in reality, English is not the, like, actual label language of the United States. You know, there is no official language of the United States. But. But through colonization and, you know, history and whiteness and, you know, we could write a whole history book about it. Obviously, English has become the dominant, but it's also coincided with Americanism. And if you aren't leaning into English first, then it's always already othering you. So I should have anticipated that the backlash would be. Yeah, they're going to be upset because I know deep down he's not going to sing any songs in English. But I was so excited that I didn't think anything of that. And I don't think anybody should, because throwing ass is a universal language, and you don't need to know what he's saying to catch a beat.

[B]

You know, perhaps what's really going on here is that art, by nature, is the antithesis of cultural assimilation. It's a culture driver. And that's what makes the right wing so very sad and so very irrelevant.

[C]

Let's have, you know, decent, wholesome entertainment.

[D]

I think white, conservative America very much wants everyone to assimilate and make them comfortable. And it's like, that's actually not the point of art.

[E]

No.

[D]

Like, the point of art is not to pander. The point is to, like, express. And it.

[B]

I think that.

[D]

That, at least for me, watching this sort of backlash roll in, it didn't feel so surprising, you know, like, these are the same people who are upset with Jennifer Lopez. We're having the Puerto Rican flag in her halftime show. When it's like, the American. Like, this is part of the US.

[E]

Well, especially because not to be a JLO hater, but like, she.

[D]

You mean an Ashanti hater?

[E]

Yeah, we love Ashanti because those are the real vocals, babe. It's funny because she is Puerto Rican. When it's convenient for her. Yes.

[D]

Right.

[E]

She's JLO first, and then she's Puerto Rican second. Which is, I think, why people are so endeared to Bad Bunny. Because he is Puerto Rican first. He's like, I am Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico is me. I could not do this art without the influences of my island. And that's no shade to how JLo as an artist is in terms of being Puerto Rican, because she is from the United States. And that is A different culture, but it's a bigger conversation of how JLO moves in the world and how she treats people, which I have not heard those same criticisms of. Bat Bunny.

[B]

Without fail, every single time an artist isn't white and is asked to headline the super bowl, the right wing tries to create a culture war out of it. Now it's time for a new segment. The laptop I use to bring up old shit. Remember this for audio only listeners, I'm showing a picture of Beyonce performing Formation at technically Coldplay super bowl halftime show. Fox News wanted you all to think that Beyonce was sending the Black Panthers to your house. Remember this wardrobe malfunction when Janet Jackson gets blamed for showing some of her breasts when it was Justin Timberlake, in fact, who ripped off the clothing? And last year, white folks literally complained that there were too many black people on stage and that they couldn't understand Kendrick's lyrics. I hate to break it to them, but even if he raps slower, I don't think their minds can comprehend the level of art coming from the Pulitzer Prize winner. Like clockwork, the announcement of Bad Bunny has flavorless, unseasoned conservatives clutching their very white pearls. And that's the laptop I use to bring up old shit. We'll be right back.

[F]

I'm Brian Reed. When I created S Town, I looked at how secrets lies and the stories we tell shape a small rural town. Now on my podcast Question Everything, I'm going bigger. Hi, this message is for Senator Lindsey Graham. I'm hoping I head to Washington to take on a law that gives tech companies sweeping immunity is how these companies have gotten rich. Join me as I go after Big Tech on Question everything from placement theory and KCRW out Thursdays, wherever you get your podcasts.

[B]

Beyond the current culture war nonsense and the threat of ice attending Bad Bunny super bowl to harass his Spanish speaking fans. Which we will get to. Puerto Rico has a unique history of being seen as less than the United States. It remains a, quote, unincorporated territory rather than a state with voting rights and true representation.

[E]

It is an unincorporated territory. And that language is purposeful because when they took ownership of Puerto Rico, when Puerto Rico had a brief period of being free for like three seconds from Spain, essentially it became an unincorporated territory because they considered Puerto Rico too savage to be a part of the United States.

[B]

Wow.

[E]

So all of the laws are built with that in mind, that they believe the Puerto Rican people are savage, they view us as subhuman, and the only reason we are citizens to this date is because of World War I, they needed bodies to fight in the war.

[B]

And Bad Bunny himself specifically mentioned the savage stereotype in his first Grammy acceptance speech last Sunday, where he addressed the current ICE raids.

[C]

We're not savage. We're not animals. We're not aliens. We are humans, and we are Americans.

[B]

So how do the ICE raids affect Puerto Ricans, who we've established are Americans? Well, for starters, ICE is arresting American citizens. And also, ICE has harassed people for their skin tone, their accents.

[C]

Why are you asking me for my paperwork? Because of your accent. I still. You have an accent, too. Where were you born, sir? Where were you born at? Put your hands behind your back. I'm from this country. You know what, sir? Now, talking to you, seeing, hearing that you have an accent, I have reason to believe that you are not born of this country.

[B]

So you.

[C]

You just visit.

[B]

And yes, for speaking Spanish, an insane number of citizens do not know that Puerto Rico is, in fact, part of the US Bad Bunny also joked about this at the Grammys.

[C]

While I have you here, can I ask you a favor? If things keep getting worse in America, can I come live with you in Puerto Rico? Chabor, I have some news for you. Puerto Rico is part of America. So just don't tell them. Don't tell them, Benny.

[D]

I need a plan B.

[B]

Indeed. The Right is stoking the flames of hatred and division to the point where they're literally hoping to divide viewers. Turning Point USA is putting on their own halftime show, which begs the question, halftime for what? It's not really halftime if it's not in between halves of a sport. But I digress. Their lineup is headlined by someone J.D. vance has called, quote, the great Bob Ritchie, which I had to look up to figure out wasn't a birthday magician, but a very old and weathered Kid Rock.

[D]

Turning Point USA is allegedly hosting counter programming, which I think is very, very funny.

[E]

You're like, okay, yeah.

[D]

I'm like, well, that's fin. I guess you could also say it's like counter programming if somebody uses the bathroom. Like, it's about the same level, but, yeah, it's called the All American Halftime show, which. What's your reaction to.

[E]

Well, wait, question. Because I obviously don't watch a lot of football. Is it always called the All American Halftime show, or is it just this year?

[D]

It's usually just like Pepsi Presents is, like, for the super bowl, but their version of it is the All American Halftime Show. They're counter programming.

[E]

Oh, you're saying. You're saying Turning Points is the All American Halftime Show?

[D]

Yeah. Yeah, okay.

[E]

I mean, whatever.

[B]

Whatever is right. And here's where it gets darker. Because while conservatives are mad about halftime, ICE is ramping up raids around the country in response to the announcement that Bad Bunny, an American citizen, would be performing at the Super Bowl. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said, yeah, we'll.

[E]

Be all over that place.

[B]

They see a Latino headliner and their first thought is, immigration enforcement kind of tells you everything you need to know.

[E]

It's heartbreaking. Like, as a Puerto Rican and I think in general, the complexity that Puerto Rico has within the Latin American community. A lot of other Latin American countries look at us and they're like, well, you have it so good. You have citizenship. It's different. And that is true. We do have citizenship, and it is different. But we experience racism totally. It's awful. And I think we are hurting for our Latin American brothers and sisters, who I think a lot of us feel helpless. Like, what can we do besides obviously be on the front lines and stuff? But ICE is also just grabbing any person that looks brown. And that is so fucked.

[B]

Here's the thing. The super bowl halftime show is supposed to be about the biggest artists in the world right now. That's Bad Bunny. Not because he assimilated, not because he translated himself, not because he made white people feel comfortable, but because the culture moved forward without asking, see you at halftime. Learn the words or don't. Throw ass or don't. Either way, get off my lawn with that get off my lawn shit.

[D]

Sidebar Question, but have you ever seen Bad Bunny live?

[E]

Oh, I went to. I went to the residency. I did.

[D]

Heck yeah.

[E]

Heck yeah, it was. I was actually talking about this on another show recently, but I'm Bey hyped down. I bought floor pit seats for Cowboy Carter. That Bunny was better.

[D]

Wow. Wow, wow, wow, wow. It was it. But we're gonna table it again.

[B]

Leaving that there. But I still want to thank our guest, Becca Ramos for joining. If you haven't started a brand new podcast, welcome to El Barrio, all about Puerto Rican culture, history and identity, you should go and check it out. How is this Better? Is a production of Courier. It's written and hosted by me, Akilah Hughes. It is produced by Devin Maroney. Video editing is by Shane Verkus. The rest of the team at Courier includes Kevin Dreyfuss, Sam Hollows, Marianne Kuga, and Charlotte Robertson. Please subscribe to follow. How is this Better? On all the platforms, YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, et cetera. And tell someone about your favorite episodes if you're interested in sponsoring episodes or giving us products to try and try to sell, reach out to advertiseuriernewsroom.com thanks for listening and until next time. See ya.

[G]

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[B]

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[G]

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