Before Bad Bunny takes over the stage for the Super Bowl LX halftime show on February 8, it helps to understand why he is at the center of modern pop culture. For more than half a decade, Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio has pushed reggaeton, Latin trap, and Caribbean rhythms from regional scenes into the global mainstream without switching languages or compromising his identity. He has become an ambassador for Puerto Rico, both in sound and image, even performing atop a gas station in his hometown as a statement of pride and visibility.
With the halftime show, Bad Bunny will place Spanish-language music at the heart of the biggest stage in American entertainment, following the footsteps of other Hispanic icons such as Shakira and Jennifer Lopez in 2020 (where he performed “I Like It” with Shakira).
Ahead of his Super Bowl moment, here are five tracks that trace his journey from internet breakout to global cultural force.
‘LA CANCIÓN’
“LA CANCIÓN” showed Bad Bunny at his most exposed. Pairing up with fellow Spanish reggaeton legend J Balvin for their OASIS project in 2019, he committed fully to the late-night heartbreak that hits when the party finally dies down. Bad Bunny’s voice drifts through regret and longing, while the beat stays low and deep-seated, giving the production a space to breathe. It proved early on that his power of knowing how to sit with sadness is a formula he could perfect.
‘Safaera’
“Safaera” feels like three songs crashing into one another on purpose. The song, a collaboration with Jowell & Randy and Ñengo Flow, jumps between old-school reggaeton rhythms, modern trap drums, and chaotic beat switches that should not work but somehow do. When it dropped on the sophomore album YHLQMDLG in 2020, this was the time when everyone knew Bad Bunny was worth the hype.
Part of its magic lies in how it mirrors a real party. One minute you are dancing smoothly, the next you are yelling lyrics with strangers, then the beat flips and the whole room resets. The track presented reggaeton’s past and present on the same dance floor. It dominated clubs, TikTok, house parties, and DJ sets worldwide, and it remains one of the clearest examples of Bad Bunny’s charm for turning musical chaos into shared joy.
‘Neverita’
“Neverita” started life as a playful summer bop and quickly became a meme, with the video paying homage to Elvis Crespo’s “Suavemente,” which features the iconic carefree dancing behind a green screen. The song’s also notorious for its jumpscare cooking and kissing memes. But once the internet noise faded, DJs and listeners kept it alive for another reason.
The track pivots to a bright, hip-house-inspired groove that manifests sunset drives and sweaty dance floors alike. Bad Bunny sounds relaxed and flirtatious, banking on rhythm instead of lyrical heaviness. The song proves his gift for making tracks that survive beyond viral moments and settle into real-world soundtracks.
‘Moscow Mule’
This song captures Bad Bunny’s ability to make desire feel both humorous and sincere. The beat floats between reggaeton rhythms and tropical softness, giving him space to flirt, brag, and confess all in the same breath.
The lyrics do not shy away from physical attraction, grinding, late-night cravings, and the messy side of romance. Yet there is swagger in how he delivers it. Bad Bunny appears as someone openly enjoying connection and chemistry. “Moscow Mule” became a standout in the heavy-hitters album Un Verano Sin Ti back in 2022 because the single balanced sensuality with melody, proving that lust-driven reggaeton can still feel warm, catchy, and emotionally human.
‘DtMF’
Taken from his Grammy-winning album Debí Tirar Más Fotos — and the exact song that played while he was holding back his tears when he won Album of the Year — this track turns away from club pressure and looks back at childhood, family, and simpler moments in Puerto Rico. The production utilizes minimalist Caribbean rhythms, subtle percussion rooted in bomba traditions, and warm melodic layers that never overpower the storytelling.
Bad Bunny reflects on memories that shaped him before fame, money, and global attention. Imagine flipping through old photo albums while modern beats play in the background. “DtMF” represents the artist at his most reflective, reminding listeners that behind the superstar image sits someone deeply connected to home and history.
