Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Mention of Guyana Sparks Celebration — and Confusion — Online
New York, NY – Guyanese social media lit up Sunday night after global music star Bad Bunny mentioned “Guyana” during his Super Bowl halftime performance, prompting many online to celebrate what they believed was a rare international shoutout.
But a closer look at the performance suggests the reference was part of a broader thematic message rather than a standalone acknowledgment of the South American nation.
During the halftime show, Bad Bunny recited the names of multiple countries across North, Central, and South America. The sequence included nations spanning the hemisphere, from Canada to Argentina, with Guyana mentioned among them. Moments later, he held up a football bearing the phrase “Together we are America,” signaling that the list was intended to represent the collective Americas rather than spotlight individual countries.
The artistic framing appeared to emphasize continental unity, a theme the Puerto Rican performer has previously incorporated into his music and public statements. The phrase echoed a longstanding linguistic distinction in Spanish, where “América” often refers to the entire Western Hemisphere rather than the United States alone.
Despite the broader context, many Guyanese viewers interpreted the mention as a direct salute. On TikTok, Facebook, and X, users celebrated what they described as “Guyana getting recognition on the world stage.” Some posts linked the moment to national pride amid Guyana’s growing international profile, fueled in recent years by its rapidly expanding oil economy.
One widely shared claim suggested that the mention may have been influenced by Guyanese singer Terry Gajraj, who previously appeared at a Super Bowl event holding a Guyanese flag. There is no public evidence connecting Gajraj’s past appearance to Bad Bunny’s performance or indicating that the halftime reference was tied to that event.
Entertainment analysts note that halftime shows are carefully scripted and rehearsed months in advance, often built around overarching themes rather than spontaneous country callouts.
Bad Bunny has not publicly commented on the online reaction as of Tuesday. Representatives for the NFL have also not issued a statement clarifying the creative intent behind the segment.
For many Guyanese viewers, however, the nuance mattered less than the visibility. Whether part of a continental roll call or a perceived national nod, the moment sparked a wave of pride across diaspora communities from Georgetown to Queens.
As the clip continues to circulate, the episode underscores how global performances can quickly take on local meaning, especially for smaller nations rarely named on one of the world’s largest stages.