The San Francisco State University’s Equity and Community Inclusion Center hosted a “Benito Bowl” event where attendees teamed up to answer various trivia questions about Bad Bunny before the world famous Puerto Rican artist’s Super Bowl half-time performance on Sunday.

Co-organized by the Dream Resource Center’s Coordinator Griselda Madrigal and the ECIC, the event gave students a space to share their anticipation for his upcoming performance and passion for Bad Bunny’s music in a friendly competition.

Known by his artist name Bad Bunny, Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio has a total of six Grammys, three of which he received last weekend, Feb. 4. He is the first Latin artist to win a Grammy for Album of the Year with a predominantly Spanish-language album.

While the specifics of his performance are yet to be seen, attendees at the event debated what song they would like to see as his opener and closer. The survey revealed the most votes towards his song “DtMF,” from his latest album that shares the name, to be the opening song.

Josue Guzman, a mechanical engineering major at SFSU, has been following Bad Bunny since 2016 and has since seen his music evolve.

“Especially nowadays with what’s happening across the country, I think it’s super important that someone is representing the Latino community,” Guzman said. “I think it’s going to increase awareness… just remind the Latino community that we are stronger together.”

Many attendees shared the sentiment that Bad Bunny’s music serves as a positive form of representation for the Latino community. Luis Zaragoza, a Latina/Latino studies major, has attended four Bad Bunny concerts and been following his music since 2017. 

“I think right now is the time for representation. Representation really matters,” Zaragoza said. “I think he does a really good job of representing our culture and not straying away from it.”

According to Zaragoza, the message Bad Bunny has as the chosen performer is to embrace your culture. 

“It’s showing that you can be proud of your culture and where you come from,” Zaragoza said. “I really do think that right now, visibility and representation matter most during this time.”

For fans like Katelyn Lopez, a child and adolescent development major, his portrayal of culture resonates with them personally.

“I feel like with the times that we’re in it’s really cool to see Latino artists be represented,” Katelyn Lopez said. “I’ve always listened to his music, it’s just something that feels like home in a way.”

The trivia event also served as a space for students to de-stress with arts and crafts, refreshments and a chance to connect with other Benito fans.

“We’re really happy to see real fans, real Bad Bunny fans,” said Bilal Alkachak, the current coordinator for Muslim Student Life. “We’re trying to get students to get to know our new space here, […] our whole goal, again, is community.”

Eurania Lopez, assistant director for Undergraduate Admissions and Recruitment, hopes events like this one show the Latino student body that their voice and presence matter on this campus.

“Especially now with everything that is going on, it’s a way to provide some relief of the tension,” Eurania Lopez said.

Students who were present considered the event a helpful and safe space to build community regardless of race and gender, according to Katelyn Lopez.

“I just came out to the event ‘cause I saw someone repost it and was like, ‘Oh I like Bad Bunny, and this would be fun to meet people,’” Katelyn Lopez said.

Brando Henriquez, a race and resistance studies major, is not a huge Bad Bunny fan but admires how the artist has used his platform to speak up about injustice and challenge gender norms.

“[He’s] known for wearing makeup, nail polish, flamboyant jewelry. Very campy aesthetics,” Henriquez said. “I think it challenges notions of masculinity, especially in the Latino culture… I think it’s a good role model for the Latino man.”

While the performance is still days away, the energy surrounding it is palpable. Many are hopeful that the themes in Bad Bunny’s music will cause a positive effect in the narrative surrounding the Latino and undocumented communities in the country. 

“Particularly surrounding the immigrant community, I feel like there’s a really negative or derogatory rhetoric and narrative going on,” Zaragoza said. “So I think him showcasing that Latinos are something different from what is currently being painted hopefully brings a sense of unity and a sense of well-being.”

For many, the significance around Bad Bunny’s performance goes well beyond just his music.

“Even though I’m not a fan of his music, and my students hate me for that, what he represents and his messaging is so relevant and at a time when we need it most,” Eurania Lopez said. “The fact that he’s center stage, literally, I think that’s an inspiration for our students.”

While Zaragoza and his trivia team took home the winning prize at the event, all the students received a small sticker sporting a picture of Bad Bunny and a quote from Jacobo Morales, featured in his song “DtMF:” “Mientras uno está vivo, uno debe amar lo más que pueda,” meaning, “While one is still alive, they should love as much as possible.”

“I think [events like these] tell students that this is a safe space. That we’re not gonna let fascism stop joy and having fun,” Henriquez said. “Finding and building community and having fun is essential to survival.”