Kid Rock sparked controversy following Super Bowl 60, criticizing the NFL’s choice of Bad Bunny as the halftime performer and questioning the role of Jay-Z as a music strategist, calling the latter a “DEI hire.” The rap-rock-country artist voiced his disapproval after watching the performance on February 7, which drew a global audience of over 135 million viewers.
Rock’s comments came as he headlined an alternative “All-American Halftime Show” organized by Turning Point USA, a conservative organization. He described Bad Bunny’s performance as a “middle finger to conservatives,” though he clarified to Fox News that his criticism was directed at the NFL’s selection, not the artist himself. The halftime show featured a primarily Spanish-language performance blending reggaeton, bomba, hip-hop, and Latin pop, culminating in Bad Bunny spiking a football emblazoned with the message, “Together, we are one America.”
The backlash against Bad Bunny extended beyond Rock’s remarks, with some conservatives labeling him a “Trump hater” and “un-American” prior to the Super Bowl, according to reports. The Seattle Seahawks won Super Bowl 60, defeating the New England Patriots in Santa Clara, California.
The dueling halftime shows ignited a debate, with some observers suggesting Bad Bunny’s performance, which included a guest appearance by Lady Gaga, overshadowed Rock’s event. An analysis by the Associated Press noted the historical trend of Super Bowl halftime shows generating greater attention than alternative performances.
Rock’s criticism of Jay-Z alluded to the controversy surrounding Colin Kaepernick, the former NFL player who protested racial injustice by kneeling during the national anthem. The NFL partnered with Jay-Z in 2019, establishing a partnership to promote social justice initiatives and enhance the Super Bowl experience.
