Fellow Latino Superstar Daddy Yankee: Bad Bunny’s Biggest Win Isn’t About Music

Daddy Yankee
Daddy Yankee (screengrab via Instagram / @abcnewslive)

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Last updated: Feb. 13, 2026

After coming back to music following a three-year retirement, Latino artist Daddy Yankee is singing a different tune. He recently expressed a “total dependency on God” and continues to live out his “new story.” When the NFL announced the 2026 Super Bowl would feature Bad Bunny as its first solo Latino headliner, fans naturally wondered if the performer might invite Daddy Yankee as a guest.

Daddy Yankee, the “King of Raggaeton” and a pioneer in Latino music, has sold over 30 million records, boasts 29 #1 hits on the Latin Airplay chart as of October 2025, and consistently ranks among the top-streamed artists on Spotify. He’s also the #3 Top Latin Artist of the 21st Century by Billboard.

“It’s very important for the Spanish-speaking community, the Latinos, that for the first time someone is going to sing in Spanish,” Daddy Yankee told Rocsi Diaz of ABC News Live regarding Bad Bunny’s headlining role. “That’s beautiful.” Bad Bunny is Spotify’s #1 Global Digital Artist and Top Artist for 2025, and he was named No. 1 Greatest Pop Star of 2025 by Billboard.

Daddy Yankee Committed To ‘Represent’ His Faith—Even To Turn Down Super Bowl Invite

Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio (Bad Bunny) was the first male Latin American artist to serve as the headliner for the Super Bowl halftime show. This show, as part of the 60th Super Bowl, was played in Santa Clara, California, on Feb. 8, 2026, and pulled in 128.2 million viewers. (The Seattle Seahawks ultimately claimed victory over the New England Patriots, 29-13.)

It’s common for headlining acts to invite performers from the same culture or genre during the coveted Super Bowl Halftime Show, which frequently ranks as the most-viewed event on television each year. This year’s spotlight on Bad Bunny and the Latin American community left fans wondering who else might make an guest appearance in the predominantly Spanish-language performance.

In the interview, Diaz asked Daddy Yankee how he would respond if asked to join Bad Bunny on stage. Diaz asked specifically about Daddy Yankee’s hit “Gasolina,” with its heavily sexualized lyrics. As he laughed, Daddy Yankee simply answered, “No. Not right now.”

“I’m on a different mission right now,” he explained. “But, even though I respect what [Bad Bunny’s] doing right now, don’t get me wrong.” Daddy Yankee went on to affirm the talent of the Puerto Rican native.

“I wish you the best,” Daddy Yankee told Bad Bunny in an earlier conversation. “Go out there and do your best. And, we’re proud of you!”

But, Daddy Yankee said, “I gotta represent what I’m doing right now.”

He then went on to provide one way he might entertain the invitation to perform at the Super Bowl. “If he asked me to sing [my song] ‘Sonriele,’ that’s different,” reasoned Daddy Yankee.

“Okay. Let’s do ‘Sonriele’ for the rest of the world,” Daddy Yankee imagined. “I’m gonna send a message. I would love to do it.”

“Sonriele” is Spanish for “Daddy,” and reflects Daddy Yankee’s relationship with God. While “Sonriele” was written and is sung in Spanish, the lyrics, translated to English, include these words:

Smile at life (Smile!)
Let joy heal your soul (Ay, papa, haha)
Give thanks to the One above for waking up today
So the bad can leave (Out, out), can leave
Smile at life, yeah, yeah
Let joy heal your soul (Givе me a smile, give it to mе)
Give thanks to the One above for waking up today
So the bad can leave (Out), can leave (Out, out)

I’m walking with the Nazarene-rene-rene (Jesus)
Thanks for the good and for what’s not so good, good (Thank you)
Immune to the poison (You know it), now I move with no brakes (You know)
With new gasoline, my tank is full (Keep it going!)

 

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Janna Firestone
Janna serves as Director of Women's Ministries at LifeSpring Covenant Church. You'll find her engaging in authentic conversation, enjoying a good laugh, or embarking on an outdoor adventure. Janna has contributed to several books for women and youth in the church, spoken to women's groups across the country, led small groups, and found a deep appreciation for soul care. She lives in Colorado with her husband and two sons.

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