After Bad Bunny delivered his high-energy Super Bowl halftime performance entirely in Spanish, controversy erupted across social media and political circles.
U.S. Rep. Randy Fine called the show “illegal” and demanded FCC investigations, claiming the Puerto Rican superstar violated broadcast standards with explicit lyrics.
But did Bad Bunny actually cross the line, or did politicians misunderstand both the language and the performance itself?
A detailed analysis by Snopes reveals the truth behind what Bad Bunny actually sang—and what he cleverly avoided.
Politicians Call for FCC Action
Rep. Randy Fine, a Florida Republican, posted screenshots of translated lyrics from Bad Bunny’s song “Safaera” on X, calling them “disgusting” and “pornographic filth.”
Had he said these lyrics—and all of the other disgusting and pornographic filth in English on live TV, the broadcast would have been pulled down and the fines would have been enormous.
Fine demanded dramatic action including fines and broadcast license reviews against Bad Bunny, the NFL, and NBC.
Tennessee Rep. Andy Ogles echoed these concerns, stating that the performance “openly glorified sodomy and countless other unspeakable depravities.” Missouri Rep. Mark Alford compared it unfavorably to Janet Jackson’s infamous 2004 wardrobe malfunction, suggesting Bad Bunny’s show “could be much worse.”
What Bad Bunny Actually Sang
Snopes conducted an exhaustive analysis of Bad Bunny’s live performance, comparing his actual vocals to original studio recordings.
The findings? Bad Bunny strategically sanitized his performance for television audiences.
While sexual innuendos and drug references remained, he deliberately omitted graphic imagery and obscene language through several techniques:
- Mumbling during explicit words to make them unintelligible
- Substituting cleaner alternatives for profanity
- Going completely silent when lyrics called for expletives
- Playing medleys that skipped more graphic sections entirely
These adjustments allowed him to perform recognizable verses and choruses without crossing broadcast standards.
Bad Bunny’s Explicit Catalog
Bad Bunny doesn’t hide his use of profanity in recorded music. Six of his seven studio albums carry “explicit” labels.
His latest album, “DeBÍ TiRAR MáS FOToS,” includes explicit content warnings on 11 of 17 songs.
The screenshots Fine posted accurately translated lyrics from “Safaera,” a track from Bad Bunny’s album “YHLQMDLG” (meaning “I do what I want”). However, those weren’t the lyrics he performed live.
Breaking Down Each Song Performance
“Tití me Preguntó” — The Opening Number
At 1:04, Bad Bunny sang “Las que ya les metí,” which translates to “the ones I already slept with.” The phrase uses Puerto Rican slang equivalent to “smashed” in English.
At 1:38, he mumbled “Mi bicho es cabrón”—slang that references male anatomy in crude terms. By mumbling, he made the phrase barely recognizable to unfamiliar listeners.
“Safaera” — The Controversial Track
This song generated most of the political outrage. Yet Bad Bunny made multiple strategic edits:
At 2:18, he mumbled “Mi bicho anda fugao” (another crude anatomical reference). At 2:22, he referenced a bong used for marijuana. At 2:23, he omitted the word “pepa” (pill) from lyrics about substances making someone aroused.
At 2:26, where original lyrics explicitly describe a sexual act, Bad Bunny went completely silent. He repeated this technique at 2:33 and 2:35, avoiding graphic sexual descriptions by simply not singing those words.
At 2:27, he kept the suggestive “Si te lo meto no me llames” (“If I sleep with you don’t call me”), which uses innuendo rather than explicit language.
“Yo perreo sola” — Abbreviated Performance
At 2:42, Bad Bunny sang only the first two syllables of a word meaning “freaky” when referencing someone smoking, cutting short before completing the explicit term.
“EoO” — Lyric Substitution
At 4:14, Bad Bunny completely changed lyrics that originally contained an expletive describing a sexual act. Instead, he sang the innocuous “Don’t leave, baby, in the club, baby.”
“NUEVAYoL” — Drug References Remain
At 8:50, Bad Bunny kept references to cocaine and “pink cocaine” (Tusi), though he included the warning “best if you avoid.”
This represented one area where he maintained controversial content without sanitizing for television.
“El Apagón” — The Puerto Rico Anthem
At 10:25, Bad Bunny mumbled an expletive praising Puerto Rico, though it remained somewhat intelligible. At 10:31, he avoided completing “hijue…” (a profane reference to mothers).
At 10:44, he removed an English expletive from “P f***ing’ R,” simply singing “Este PR” instead.
At 10:54, he referenced lighting up a blunt (marijuana) and used “maldita sea” (damn it), milder profanity that typically passes broadcast standards.
Understanding Puerto Rican Spanish and Reggaeton Culture
Context matters enormously when evaluating Bad Bunny’s performance. Puerto Rican Spanish contains distinct slang unfamiliar to many English speakers and even Spanish speakers from other regions.
Reggaeton music traditionally pushes boundaries with sexual content and drug references. It’s part of the genre’s identity and cultural expression.
Many phrases that sound explicit in literal translation carry different cultural weight in Puerto Rican contexts. Words like “cabrón” function as versatile slang ranging from profane to simply emphatic, depending on usage.
Did Bad Bunny Break Broadcasting Rules?
FCC regulations prohibit “obscene” material at all times and restrict “indecent” material to late-night hours when children are less likely watching.
The distinction matters: obscenity has legal definitions focused on graphic sexual content with no artistic merit, while indecency covers offensive language and suggestions.
Bad Bunny’s performance contained suggestive content and innuendo but avoided explicit descriptions by mumbling, substituting words, or going silent during the most graphic moments.
Whether innuendo and drug references constitute violations remains debatable. Television broadcasts routinely include sexual suggestions and references to substances, particularly during evening programming.
Snopes concluded that Bad Bunny “pushed the boundaries” but whether he “crossed them” remains “up for debate.”
Political Reaction Versus Reality
Snopes sent their detailed lyrical analysis to Representatives Fine, Ogles, and Alford, requesting responses. None had replied at publication time.
Critics note the irony of politicians demanding investigations into a performance that was strategically edited for broadcast standards—particularly when the artist is Puerto Rican American performing in Spanish.
Fine’s statement that “Puerto Ricans are Americans and we all live by the same rules” struck some observers as tone-deaf, given that Bad Bunny demonstrably adjusted his performance for American television audiences.
The controversy highlights ongoing tensions around language, culture, and acceptable content in mainstream American entertainment—particularly when performances challenge traditional boundaries while technically staying within them.
