Dangerous Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime performance 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. Whereas a lot of the web narrative focuses on whether or not the present was “comprehensible,” “entertaining” or “political,” the deeper cultural storytelling was woven by the staging.
From the sector itself to the electrical poles to a toddler sleeping on chairs, this halftime present was stuffed with references and symbolism. I grew up in Puerto Rico, and to my household and me, these references had been speedy and apparent. However I understand that with out the lived expertise, these visible cues had been straightforward to overlook.
Think about this your cheat sheet for the moments that stood out to Latinos like me and what they really imply.
The sugar cane area and the legacy of labor
The Puerto Rican famous person opened the halftime present by strolling by a area 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 economic system that exported wealth whereas extracting sources from the island.
Whereas strolling by this area to the beat of Tità Me Preguntó, Dangerous Bunny made a number of cultural references, too. We noticed older males taking part in dominoes subsequent to the home, a long-standing custom nonetheless seen at the moment 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 large Latino stars in ‘La Casita’
We can not ignore the numerous Latino celebrities who had been current, dancing on the little pink-and-yellow home that precisely represents what homes on the island appear to be. I acknowledged Pedro Pascal (Chilean), Cardi B (Dominican), Karol G (Colombian) and Younger Miko (Puerto Rican). To me, having all these artists from the Americas right here represents the welcoming of individuals of all nationalities into his “dwelling.”
{The electrical} utility poles throughout ‘El Apagón’
When he carried out the music El Apagón, which interprets to “blackout” or “energy outage,” Dangerous Bunny and his backup dancers (referencing line employees) climbed electrical poles. The scene symbolized the frequent blackouts the island experiences on account of weak energy grids and extreme climate. You’ll be able to 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!) marriage ceremony
Phrase has it that this couple, who received married within the area, had beforehand invited Dangerous Bunny to their marriage ceremony. As a substitute, 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 can have.Â
I vividly keep in mind going to child showers, quinceañeras and weddings as a toddler, and the events happening till very late, so I might go to sleep on a makeshift mattress fabricated from chairs. Our mother and father had a lot enjoyable at these events that even drained youngsters wouldn’t cease them from dancing.
A marriage can also be maybe essentially the most distinguished celebration of affection and pleasure, a throughline we see all through this complete efficiency and a reference to Dangerous Bunny’s Grammys speech, the place he mentioned: “The one factor that’s extra highly effective than hate is love.”
Lo que le pasó a Hawaii with Ricky Martin
One of the vital highly effective moments for me was when Ricky Martin joined Benito to sing Lo que le pasó a Hawaii, which interprets to “what occurred to Hawaii.” This music 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.Â
Ricky Martin singing this music 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 Dangerous Bunny by assimilating into North American tradition to appease world audiences. Right now, Martin’s success, together with that of Dangerous Bunny, permits the 2 artists to say Puerto Rican tradition and heritage somewhat than dilute it.
Handing a Grammy to the little boy
In the course of the efficiency, we noticed a household watching Dangerous Bunny’s acceptance speech in the course of the Grammys, and the famous person 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. One other interpretation is that the little boy is supposed to be a younger model of Dangerous Bunny himself, and giving him the Grammy symbolizes what one can obtain should you go after your goals. I might add that to me, this gesture represents the singer paving the best way for the following era.
Toñita in ‘Nuevayol’
Whereas the performers had 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, situated within the coronary heart of Williamsburg, New York. It has been a little bit piece of dwelling for Puerto Ricans within the diaspora for the final 50 years.Â
God bless America
After 13 minutes of just about an solely Spanish efficiency, Dangerous Bunny mentioned 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 international locations from South, Central and North America.Â
Because the flag march ended, Dangerous Bunny held up a soccer with the phrase, “Collectively, we’re America.” That soccer was a prop in service of a unifying message, because the backdrop was an enormous signal that learn, “The one factor extra highly effective than hate is love.”
For me, the efficiency was a masterclass in storytelling. Each visible alternative, choreograph and music had been fastidiously curated to convey Puerto Rico’s identification. Watching this reside on one of many world’s greatest phases made everybody within the diaspora really feel seen and celebrated.
