Writer’s pick: Five Hispanic and Latino artists to consider for future Super Bowl halftime shows

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Illustration By Elvin Gonzalez.

Elvin Gonzalez, Reporter

The NFL’s Super Bowl halftime show has displayed a lot of brilliant music to the fans, but there’s something it lacks: Latino and Hispanic representation. In 2019, the NFL partnered with Roc Nation in a long-term contract to produce the Super Bowl halftime show and other NFL tentpole performances. According to NFL Communications, the partnership is meant to support the league’s Inspire Change social justice initiative. Why not provide the fans with a multicultural experience at the halftime performances and have Mexican regional bands and other different backgrounds?

Bad Bunny
While fans saw Bad Bunny perform in the 2019 Super Bowl halftime show, the performance was centered around Jennifer Lopez and Shakira with guests J Balvin and Emme Muñiz. Bad Bunny has undoubtedly won the hearts of many people worldwide, taking the Latin pop industry by storm with his reggaeton-heavy discography. He deserves a solo performance and would be the perfect fit for a Super Bowl halftime show. According to an article by NBC News, his recent performance at the Grammy Awards showed that he could fire up the crowd as he recreated memorable scenes from Puerto Rico’s festival Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián using the percussion-driven traditional sound of “bomba y plena.”

Grupo Firme
Grupo Firme is a regional Mexican band that has gained mainstream popularity over the last few years. They would make an excellent Super Bowl halftime performance, and the crowd would be electric, just like at their sold-out concert at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood in 2022, as reported by Daily Breeze. The Super Bowl is long overdue to have a Mexican band perform, and Grupo Firme is undoubtedly one of many bands to consider for the big game. The NFL is constantly looking for new ways to innovate the game of football, and it is a good time to innovate their music game, starting with this band.

El Fantasma
El Fantasma is a unique performer who shined in his performance at the 2022 Latin Grammys Acoustic Sessions. His discography contains the dynamic sounds of different instruments and vocals, and many of his songs are relatable for the Hispanic and Latino communities, since he mentions working hard and earning respect from others. He brings a different vibe to the big game, and would undeniably pave the way for other Latino artists to perform in front of large crowds nationwide at events including the Super Bowl.

Banda MS de Sergio Lizárraga
Banda MS de Sergio Lizárraga has a great variety of songs that cater to all kinds of people, whether they’re Spanish-speaking or not. The band has gained steam these past few years, notably for creating music outside their respective genre through song collaborations with artists like Snoop Dogg and Becky G. The band’s music appeals to fans nationally because of collaborations with artists who already have established recognition in the U.S. The band’s library consists of romantic music, which can get a crowd going. This would be a one-of-a-kind Super Bowl halftime show meshing three different cultures – Black, Mexican and Chicano – bringing fans together for a fantastic experience.

Cardi B
Cardi B always brings that big energy boost wherever she performs, making her a strong candidate to perform at America’s most popular sporting event. Her eccentricity is always transferred to her audience, and she can get a crowd fired up for the remainder of the game. However, she turned down the opportunity to perform at the 2019 Super Bowl, according to Billboard, in support of Colin Kaepernick’s protest to raise awareness of police brutality and racial inequity. The rapper deserves to be reconsidered to play at the Super Bowl halftime show. Here’s to hoping the NFL and Cardi B agree.