The time two Dominican-flavored songs played at the Super Bowl

The 2020 Super Bowl, starring Shakira and Jennifer Lopez in its halftime show, was marked as one of the most important moments for Latin representation in the world’s most-watched sporting event. That show not only stood out for the leadership of two Latin women, but also for the special participation of artists such as Bad Bunny and J Balvin. However, beyond these visible performances, Dominican music also played a leading role. Two songs featuring Dominican artists El Alfa and Nfasis
were played before millions of people present in the stadium and in front of a global audience watching the live broadcast. One of those key moments occurred during Jennifer López’s performance alongside J Balvin, when the chorus “Pa’ arriba, pa’ abajo” was heard, belonging to the song “Lento”, by the Dominican exponent and producer N-fasis. Minutes later, the song “Qué calor”, a collaboration between Major Lazer, J Balvin and the Dominican El Alfa, was also part of the halftime show.

We recommend reading:These are the artists who could accompany Bad Bunny at the Super Bowl

This event marked a milestone for urban music from the Dominican Republic, achieving a presence on one of the most influential stages in global entertainment. Super Bowl 2020 not only celebrated Latin diversity but also consolidated the strength of Caribbean urban rhythms, with Dominican artists performing alongside global figures. The impact was even greater if the context of the event is taken into account: two Latina women leading the show, a Colombian, Shakira, and an artist of Puerto Rican descent born in New York, Jennifer López, accompanied by two of the most influential Latin music artists at that time, J Balvin and Bad Bunny. Today, just hours before history is written again, anticipation grows. In Super Bowl 2026, Bad Bunny, the star of Puerto Rican music, will be the protagonist of the halftime show. This has generated questions and hope about whether Dominican music will have a presence again, especially considering the artist’s connection to Dominican rhythms, such as dembow and street merengue, in songs like “Nuevayol”, “Después de la playa”, genres that he has performed and promoted on several occasions. History shows that, although sometimes subtly, the Dominican Republic has already made its sound felt on the world’s biggest stage.