A Critique from the Fox News Spotlight (Image Credits: Flickr)
Super Bowl Sunday delivered more than football as musicians clashed in competing halftime spectacles, drawing sharp words from Kid Rock.
A Critique from the Fox News Spotlight
Kid Rock appeared on Fox News’ “The Ingraham Angle” Monday to share his unfiltered take on Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl LX halftime performance.[1][2]
He described the show, performed entirely in Spanish with elaborate dancers, as incomprehensible to most viewers. “Like most people, I didn’t understand any of it,” Rock stated. “I saw there’s a lot of dancers and a lot of big to-do stuff.”[1]
Though he called it a dance party as promised, Rock made clear it fell short of his tastes. He spared Bad Bunny personal blame, instead directing ire at the league. “I fault the NFL for putting him in that position,” he explained.[2]
The Counter-Programming Clash
Turning Point USA stepped in with “The All-American Halftime Show,” a pre-taped alternative streamed on YouTube to rival the official event at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.[3]
Kid Rock headlined alongside country stars Brantley Gilbert, Lee Brice, and Gabby Barrett. The production, filmed in Atlanta, aimed to offer songs appealing to a different audience amid backlash over Bad Bunny’s booking.
Viewership numbers highlighted the divide:
| Event | Estimated Viewers |
|---|---|
| Super Bowl Halftime (Bad Bunny) | 135 million |
| TPUSA Halftime Show | 20 million+ |
Technical hurdles plagued the stream, including licensing issues that shifted it from X to YouTube.[3]
Accusations Fly Over ‘Bawitdaba’
Clips from Rock’s performance of his 1999 hit “Bawitdaba” sparked online mockery. Viewers noted the microphone straying from his mouth during lyrics and apparent mismatches.[3]
Social media filled with jabs like “worst lip sync ever” and questions about his familiarity with the track. Critics pointed to uneven energy and visible breath pauses.
The song features call-and-response with his longtime DJ, Paradime, who handles rap sections. Such dynamics complicated the broadcast, observers later noted.
Denial and Demonstration
Rock addressed the uproar head-on during his Ingraham interview and a follow-up X video. He confirmed the TPUSA set was pre-recorded live, not mimed audio.[4][3]
“I’m jumping around the stage like a rabid monkey,” he said, explaining breath breaks filled by Paradime. Production teams struggled with sync after he flagged issues in a rough cut.
Paradime flew to Nashville for an impromptu living-room rendition posted online. The duo traded vocals flawlessly, silencing doubters and showcasing their routine.
Rock praised the TPUSA crew’s efforts despite challenges. He vowed the display would counter “haters” effectively.
Key Takeaways
- Kid Rock spared Bad Bunny but targeted NFL decisions sparking the alternative show.
- TPUSA’s effort drew millions despite streaming snags and pre-tape format.
- Lip-sync claims stemmed from sync glitches, not fakery, as proven live.
This episode underscores deepening rifts in entertainment tastes during America’s biggest game. What do you think about the competing halftime showdowns? Tell us in the comments.
