Bad Bunny's Super Bowl Halftime Lyric Sparks LeBron James Speculation

The Puerto Rican rapper's shoutout to fellow Puerto Rican NBA player JJ Barea raised eyebrows among fans.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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During his Super Bowl halftime performance, Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny included a lyric that referenced NBA player JJ Barea winning a championship before LeBron James. This led some to speculate that it was a subtle diss towards the Lakers star, though it's more likely Bunny was simply giving a shoutout to his fellow Puerto Rican player.

Why it matters

LeBron James is one of the most scrutinized and criticized NBA superstars, so any perceived slight or jab from a high-profile celebrity like Bad Bunny is bound to generate discussion and debate among fans.

The details

In a translated version of one of Bad Bunny's songs performed during the halftime show, the lyric stated: "And (JJ) Barea (who's also from Puerto Rico), the one who became champion before LeBron." This was a reference to Barea winning an NBA title with the Dallas Mavericks in 2011 before James won his first championship.

  • Bad Bunny performed during the Super Bowl halftime show on February 9, 2026.

The players

LeBron James

A 41-year-old NBA superstar who plays for the Los Angeles Lakers and is considered one of the greatest players of all time.

Bad Bunny

A popular Puerto Rican rapper who headlined the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show.

JJ Barea

A Puerto Rican NBA player who won a championship with the Dallas Mavericks in 2011 before LeBron James won his first title.

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What they’re saying

“And (JJ) Barea (who's also from Puerto Rico), the one who became champion before LeBron.”

— Bad Bunny, Rapper (Translated lyrics)

The takeaway

While Bad Bunny's lyric referencing JJ Barea's championship before LeBron James sparked speculation of a subtle diss, it's more likely the rapper was simply giving a shoutout to his fellow Puerto Rican player. LeBron's legacy as one of the NBA's all-time greats remains secure, regardless of any perceived jabs.