Mary J. Blige Defends Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Spot — “Music Doesn’t Need Translation, It Needs Truth”

Mary J. Blige — the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul and a global symbol of authenticity — is speaking out about the heated debate surrounding Bad Bunny’s upcoming Super Bowl 2025 Halftime Show performance. The Puerto Rican superstar’s decision to sing in Spanish has faced criticism from some voices insisting that the NFL should feature only English-language music. Blige calls that idea “narrow-minded” — and says it goes against everything music is meant to be.

“When Did We Start Putting Limits on Music?”

In a recent interview, Blige, known for iconic hits like Family Affair and Be Without You, questioned why something as universal as music is still being divided by language.

“When did we start putting limits on what music should sound like?” she asked. “Music is about the feeling it gives you. You don’t need to speak the language to understand soul. You feel it in your bones.”

Blige’s comments hit home for many fans, especially because she knows the Super Bowl stage firsthand. She performed in the unforgettable 2022 Halftime Show alongside Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, and Kendrick Lamar.

“That performance isn’t just for one audience. It’s for the world,” she said. “Bad Bunny belongs there just as much as anyone. He represents millions of people who love, live, and breathe music in Spanish. That’s powerful.”

Calling Out “Fear-Based Thinking”

Blige didn’t shy away from criticizing what she sees as an outdated mindset in entertainment.

“That kind of thinking — that only English music belongs on an American stage — it’s fear talking,” she said. “And fear kills creativity. We need to let that go. It’s time to celebrate all forms of expression, all cultures, all rhythms.”

Her words echo a broader conversation about inclusivity and representation in the music industry. In today’s streaming-driven world, genres and languages are constantly blending. Latin music, in particular, has exploded globally, with Bad Bunny topping charts and selling out stadiums while staying true to his roots.

A Queen Speaks on Artistic Authenticity

Blige reflected on her own career — shaped by gospel, soul, and hip-hop — and praised artists who remain true to themselves despite outside pressures.

“Bad Bunny is doing what every real artist does — he’s staying true to his roots,” she said. “That’s not just brave, that’s beautiful. That’s what music should be about.”

Fans quickly rallied behind her statement online, applauding her for using her platform to defend artistic freedom. Many pointed out that if music is supposed to unite, limiting it by language undermines its very purpose.

“Music Doesn’t Need Translation — It Needs Truth”

Blige closed her thoughts with a simple, powerful reminder of what music is meant to do:

“Music don’t need translation — it needs truth. If you can feel it, you understand it. That’s what connects us, and that’s what the world needs right now.”

With her trademark mix of grace and grit, Mary J. Blige has once again stepped into a cultural conversation with wisdom and heart. In defending Bad Bunny’s right to sing in Spanish on one of the world’s biggest stages, she’s also defending the idea that music is — and always will be — a language without borders.