U.S. News

“The Super Bowl half-time show is inherently about compromise. But as he kicked off the Benito Bowl, somehow, Benito’s biggest compromise seemed to be the amount of words bleeped out of his verse.

“Benito delivered on his music’s promise of displaying the reality of Puerto Rican life: in a stunning performance of El Apagón, Benito runs the light-blue flag of Puerto Rican independence across the field, as performers on power lines evoke the frequent blackouts on the island as a result of its decaying energy infrastructure. This somber reminder shifts quickly to the jubilant call-and-response of Café Con Ron as Benito is joined by Los Pleneros de la Cresta.

“A lot of violent realities for our communities continue outside. The Super Bowl will never televise the revolution. But this year, Benito reminded so many of us of the love, the community and the absolute joy that we create together every day in spite of everything else.”