A new ranking from Rolling Stone is stirring serious conversation across music and sports culture.
According to the publication’s updated list of the greatest Super Bowl halftime performances of all time, Bad Bunny now holds the No. 2 position — trailing only Prince and his iconic 2007 performance.
For nearly two decades, Prince’s 2007 show has been treated as untouchable. The image of him silhouetted behind a sheer curtain, guitar in hand, performing “Purple Rain” as real rain poured down inside Miami’s stadium has become part of Super Bowl mythology. It wasn’t just a performance — it was a cinematic moment that blurred the line between sport and legend.
So placing Bad Bunny directly behind that legacy is more than flattering.
It’s provocative.
Supporters argue his halftime appearance represented something larger than stagecraft. They point to the global reach of Latin music, the visibility of Puerto Rican culture on one of the most-watched broadcasts in the world, and the generational shift in what “mainstream” now means. For millions of viewers, it wasn’t just entertainment — it was representation.
Critics, however, question whether recency plays a role in rankings like these. They debate longevity, catalog depth, and cross-generational resonance — the qualities that helped cement Prince’s status over time.
But here’s the deeper conversation emerging:
Are halftime performances now measured differently?
Is greatness still defined by spectacle and musicianship alone — or has cultural impact, global identity, and social relevance become equally powerful metrics?
The Super Bowl halftime stage has always reflected its era. From rock dominance to pop spectacle to hip-hop celebration, each decade reshapes the benchmark.
Prince’s No. 1 position still feels monumental. His performance is often cited as the gold standard — a near-mythic moment unlikely to be replicated.
Yet history has a way of surprising us.
Because every era believes its defining moment is permanent… until the next one arrives.
So now the debate shifts:
Is Prince’s throne secure forever?
Or is halftime history still being written?
