I think I’m officially old.

Here’s what Emmanuel Morgan, writing for the New York Times, has to say about the news that the rapper Bad Bunny will be headlining the Super Bowl halftime show in February.

Bad Bunny, whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, was born in Puerto Rico and rose to fame through hits such as “MIA,” “I Like It,” “Me Porto Bonito” and “Dákiti.” He has been nominated for 10 Grammys, winning in the best música urbana album category for “Un Verano Sin Ti” and “El Último Tour del Mundo,” and in the best Latin pop or urban album category for “YHLQMDLG.” He has also won 12 Latin Grammys. . . .

Bad Bunny has been vocal about social issues affecting Puerto Rico. In an interview this month with i-D magazine, he said he did not incorporate the mainland United States into his latest tour because he was fearful his fans would be targeted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. On Sunday night, shortly before the Super Bowl announcement, Bad Bunny posted on social media that, “after discussing it with my team, I think I’ll do just one date in the United States.”

Look, I understand that there’s a politics and culture-war angle to this story. Many people are apparently wondering why the National Football League and Commissioner Roger Goodell would go for a trans-cause-supporting, dress-wearing rapper who “challenges traditional gender roles” in the midst of the so-called anti-woke vibe shift. Many are riled up at this or that controversy set off by Mr. Bunny over his career.

But I’ve got to tell you that none of that was my first thought. 

I was surprised — actually, stunned — by the news because I have simply never heard of the guy before. Not once. I had no opinion; none at all. Bad Bunny had never crossed my radar screen before the Super Bowl news broke.

Now, the Super Bowl halftime shows in recent years haven’t exactly been my cup of tea. But I was at least familiar with Coldplay (2016), Lady Gaga (2017), Shakira (2020), and Usher (2024). I had heard of The Weeknd (2021) and could’ve probably recognized a few of his songs.

But Bad Bunny? Seriously — never heard of him.

I had to go ask the NRI Buckley fellows (Guy Denton and Kamden Mulder) and the staff writer kidz (Abigail Anthony, Caroline Downey, Haley Strack) who this guy was.

It all reminds me of that famous tweet: “All celebrity news looks like this: ‘CURTAINS FOR ZOOSHA? K-SMOG AND BATBOY CAUGHT FLIPPING A GRUNT’”

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I think this means that I’m officially old.