Jay-Z has finally spoken out in support of Bad Bunny in the wake of backlash over the Puerto Rican superstar’s selection as the Super Bowl Halftime Show headliner.
Despite criticism and thinly veiled threats from President Donald Trump’s administration and several conservative figures, the hip-hop mogul made it clear that his support for the Monaco singer remains unwavering.
When a TMZ photographer asked about the controversy, the Roc Nation founder, whose company has been responsible for booking Super Bowl halftime acts since 2019, defended the choice with confidence.
"They love him. Don’t let them fool you," Beyonce’s husband responded, reportedly adding that Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, is far more beloved in the U.S. than some would have you believe.
For the unversed, a wave of backlash stirred in late September shortly after NFL announced that the 31-year-old rapper is set to headline the 2026 Halftime Show.
While the news sparked excitement from fans worldwide, it also drew ire from Trump, who dismissed the decision during an interview with Newsmax.
"I’ve never heard of him… I don’t know who he is. I don’t know why they’re doing it. It’s, like, crazy," the politician said, calling the move "absolutely ridiculous."
Adding to the controversy, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem hinted that ICE agents would be "all over the place at the Super Bowl," an apparent jab at the Puerto Rican-born artist’s Latino heritage.
Interestingly, Trump may claim ignorance, Bad Bunny’s achievements speak for themselves.
The global superstar has become one of the most dominant forces in music and the first Latin artist to land 100 career Billboard Hot 100 songs, and the first to reach No. 1 on the Billboard 200 with an all-Spanish album El Último Tour del Mundo, 2020.
He also tied blockbuster Eras tour performer Taylor Swift for the most No. 1 hits on the Global 200 and was Spotify’s most-streamed artist worldwide for three consecutive years (2020–2022).
With Jay-Z and more iconic performers, including Jennifer Lopez and Shakira, standing firmly in his corner, no amount of political noise is likely to drown out Bad Bunny’s global impact when he takes the world’s biggest stage on February 8.