Jay-Z Responds to Bad Bunny Superbowl Halftime Show Backlash

When Bad Bunny received the news that he would be headlining the Super Bowl LX halftime show, the call came directly from Jay-Z. In the weeks since the history-making feat was announced, several right-wing figures and conservative commentators have slammed Roc Nation, the NFL, and Apple Music’s decision to have one of the most successful artists of all time headline one of the most prestigious music events of all time. The fact that Bad Bunny will not be singing in English and has taken clear stances on his politics and on immigration issues only fueled the fire. But Jay-Z isn’t buying the backlash.

“They love him,” Jay-Z said in a video captured by TMZ while signing memorabilia in New York. “Don’t let them fool you.” His brief response came after the woman behind the camera insisted that “we gotta talk Bad Bunny,” to which he responded, “I don’t wanna talk about nothing.” He caved only when she asked more specifically, “Why are people hating on him?”

Last week, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell addressed the backlash for the first time. “He’s one of the most popular entertainers in the world,” he told The Atlantic. “That’s what we try to achieve. It’s an important element of the entertainment value. It’s carefully thought through.”

Goodell added, “I would say I’m not sure we’ve ever selected an artist where we didn’t have some blowback or criticism. We have hundreds of millions of people watching, but I have full confidence it’ll be a good show.” There’s a petition floating around to have country singer George Strait replace Bad Bunny as the halftime show performer. Even if all 80,000 people who have signed it so far decide to boycott watching the performance, it’s unlikely their lack of participation would make a dent in the Puerto Rican superstar’s viewership.

He won’t be there for them, anyway. “What I’m feeling goes beyond myself,” Bad Bunny said in a statement when news of his performance broke. “It’s for those who came before me and ran countless yards so I could come in and score a touchdown … this is for my people, my culture, and our history. Ve y dile a tu abuela, que seremos el HALFTIME SHOW DEL SUPER BOWL.”