https://unsplash.com/photos/closeup-photo-of-football-players--xHZBzv4Naw
Edited by Amelia Cantwell and Rishi Chandra
The idea that halftime shows have only recently become more politicized is widespread, but it overlooks the history of the stage itself. In the last two years, performers like Bad Bunny and Kendrick Lamar have prompted criticisms arguing that the Super Bowl halftime show has shifted from a purely entertaining production to a politically divisive one. However, what has changed is not the nature of the performance, but its visibility.
The American Super Bowl has always been more than just a football game: it has been a way to promote American nationalism. In early years, half-time shows included marching bands, patriotic formations, and themes of unity. For example, during the 1967 Super Bowl halftime show, high school marching bands formed the Liberty Bell. Though the public may have perceived these shows as apolitical, their exclusion of diversity was, in its own way, a political message. The Liberty Bell formation was staged when the Watts Riots were still fresh in many Americans’ minds. By choosing to celebrate nationalistic American symbols of freedom while ignoring civil unrest, the band made a deliberate statement, celebrating unity over differences.
Following the early years, a tremendous shift in halftime show performances occurred in the 1990s. Politics weren’t simply “added” into the shows; rather, they changed the form in which messages were packaged and presented to the public. With performances by global stars like Michael Jackson in 1993, the halftime show transformed into a worldwide spectacle. It centered black pop culture as a defining and celebrated part of America’s national identity. Moreover, Jackson’s set is known for drawing in a larger audience than the game itself. This signaled the continuation of halftime show performances as meaningful spectacles and transformed into a bigger stage for pop-culture entertainment.
Future acts continued to build on this foundation, emphasizing and, at times, challenging the notion of American national identity. For example, Beyoncé’s 2016 performance became one of the most politically charged halftime shows of all time. Several of her backup dancers wore black leather and berets, evoking imagery of the revolutionary Black Panther Party from the U.S. Civil Rights Movement. Beyoncé used her platform to draw attention to broader social issues, specifically police brutality and racial injustice. In return, she received significant backlash on social media, with her performance being labeled as “anti-American” and “anti-police.” In reality, she continued the tradition of artists before her, using her halftime performance to amplify messages beyond the game.
In this context, more recent performers, notably Kendrick Lamar and Bad Bunny, did not start the transformation of halftime shows as sensationalized political messages. Kendrick Lamar’s 2025 performance was replete with rich symbolism conveying a crucial message about unfair systemic discrimination against Black people. Kendrick Lamar’s use of the “united” American flag and a song selection that reflected the limits of the American Dream for Black people enhanced his message musically and visually. By choosing to perform “Not Like Us,” Kendrick Lamar highlighted the dissonance between Black Americans’ contributions to U.S. national identity and achievements and society’s persistent disregard of them.
Similarly, Bad Bunny’s 2026 Super Bowl performance, through rich symbolism and vivid cultural imagery, continued to share a deeper message about unity and belonging by challenging America’s relationship with immigration today. Singing entirely in Spanish was a deliberate act that promoted Latino culture as a part of American identity. By including Puerto Rican flags and other symbolic references to Latin American cultures throughout his set, Bad Bunny uplifted American voices of all backgrounds.
What unites all of these performances, from early nationalistic high school marching bands to contemporary diverse musicians like Bad Bunny, is their inherently political nature. Super Bowl halftime shows have always reflected America’s political and cultural climate at the time. The difference today is which messages get labeled as political. Historical performances, such as the 1967 Liberty Bell formation, were received by the public in a “neutral” tone because the messages focused on unifying the nation. In recent years, performers have utilized the stage to discuss injustices and inequalities in the nation. However, while still carrying an underlying message of unity, these performances are received differently by the public.
The Super Bowl stage has consistently been used for political messaging, regardless of the time. The willingness to speak out has grown among recent performers and has sparked more discussion about the inherently political nature of halftime shows.