NEW BRITAIN — Benito Ocasio, better known as Bad Bunny, has recently won Album of the Year at the 68th annual Grammy Awards, to which fans and critics around the world have responded with overwhelming positivity toward his album Debí Tirar Más Fotos.
With the Grammy wins and the NFL’s announcement of Bad Bunny being the headliner for this year’s Super Bowl halftime show, he’s using his platform of success in a unique way.
Through his music, Bad Bunny has reminded audiences worldwide of Puerto Rico’s struggles. After completing a record-breaking 30-show residency at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan, his show, No Me Quiero Ir de Aquí, brought both pride and an economic boost to the island.
Yet many residents say they continue to face everyday challenges, including ongoing power outages and extreme heat tied to climate change.
CCSU student Neyleannie Franco, who previously lived in Puerto Rico, said the island’s climate crisis is something residents experience daily.
“As a person who was born and raised in Puerto Rico, you can tell the changes in weather are still happening and how hot it’s gotten,” Franco said. “It’s sad because climate change is real. People on the island are still living without resources.”
Joseph Torres, a Central Connecticut State University biochemistry major, shared his firsthand experience living in Puerto Rico one summer.
“You see one street with lights on and another completely dark,” Torres said. “Through his visuals and messages, Bad Bunny shows the reality of what Puerto Ricans face every day.”
According to Environmental Health News, Puerto Rico’s electric network is among the most vulnerable in the nation, facing frequent outages following hurricanes Irma and Maria — a reality Bad Bunny references in his song “El Apagón” from the album Un Verano Sin Ti.
Torres said he hopes the Super Bowl performance will shine a spotlight on Puerto Rico and its ongoing struggles.
“It’s bittersweet,” he said. “I just hope the show honors Puerto Rican pride without overshadowing the island’s fight for independence.”
Franco emphasized how the artist uses his platform to expose corruption on the island and criticize how the United States addresses those issues.
“He finds a way to make people think and open their eyes,” Franco said. “I wonder what he’s going to say.”
Edward Antigua, a CCSU BFA theater major and proud Dominican American, said the recognition on the biggest stage felt historic.
“When I heard the news, it felt like I was witnessing history being made — not only because an all-Spanish album received the award, but because of what the album and his speech stood for,” Antigua said. “In a time of fierce attacks against our community, I hope it continues to open the eyes of those who seem blind to what is happening.”
As the Super Bowl approaches Feb. 8, many in the Latino community view Bad Bunny’s role as more than entertainment, seeing it as a cultural milestone that highlights both his artistry and the issues facing their communities.
“As someone drawn more to the arts, I’m not deeply invested in the game itself,” Antigua said. “But I’m excited to see his performance. He’s excellent at what he does, and I hope it becomes another moment where he uses his platform to address what is happening.”
