During the 65th Annual Grammy Awards ceremony on Sunday, February 5, 2023, Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny made a pointed political statement while accepting an award. The artist, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, used his platform to criticize U.S. immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The incident occurred live on the CBS broadcast from the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.
Statement During Award Acceptance
Bad Bunny won the award for Best Música Urbana Album for “Un Verano Sin Ti.” While giving his acceptance speech, he included a line in Spanish that directly referenced the federal immigration agency. He stated, “This is for all of the people who are screaming, for the ones that are not here anymore, and for my country, Puerto Rico.” He then added, “And this is for ICE; get out.” The comment was met with a mixture of applause and audible reactions from the audience in the arena.
Context and Background
The artist’s criticism of ICE is not an isolated incident in his career. Bad Bunny has frequently incorporated social and political commentary into his music and public appearances. His work often addresses issues affecting Puerto Rico, including its colonial status and recovery from natural disasters, as well as broader Latino and immigrant experiences in the United States. The agency he referenced, ICE, is a division of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security responsible for immigration enforcement and customs investigations. Its policies and operations have been a frequent subject of national debate and protest.
Immediate Reactions and Coverage
The moment was widely reported by news outlets and discussed extensively on social media platforms following the broadcast. Supporters of the artist praised him for using a major international stage to highlight his views on immigration policy. Critics argued that an awards ceremony was an inappropriate venue for such statements. The Recording Academy, which organizes the Grammys, has not issued an official statement regarding the content of Bad Bunny’s speech. Network censors did not alter or bleep the comment during the live telecast.
Broader Significance in Entertainment
The incident underscores the ongoing trend of musicians and entertainers leveraging high-profile award shows to make political or social statements. These platforms offer unparalleled reach, with the Grammy Awards attracting millions of viewers worldwide. Such moments often generate significant media cycles, extending the conversation around the artist’s message far beyond the event itself. For an artist of Bad Bunny’s global influence, particularly within the Spanish-speaking world, the statement carries considerable weight.
Potential Next Steps and Developments
It is anticipated that commentary and analysis of the remark will continue in entertainment and political news circles in the coming days. Observers will be watching for any formal response from U.S. immigration authorities or political figures, though such a direct response is historically uncommon. The primary consequence is likely to be continued public discourse on the intersection of celebrity, platform, and political advocacy. Bad Bunny is scheduled to continue his extensive “World’s Hottest Tour” in the coming months, where he may further address or be questioned about his Grammy night comments.
Source: Mashable
