Miguel Gandelman: Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Halftime Show Musical Director Interview – How It Was Built # 100
Episode Summary
In a milestone 100th episode of the Go With Elmo podcast, host Elmo Lovano sits down with renowned musical director Miguel Gandelman, the creative mastermind behind Bad Bunny’s unforgettable Super Bowl halftime show. The episode dives deep into the frenetic, last-minute world of live mega-events, the creative process behind building a cultural moment, and the journey that brought Miguel Gandelman from Brazil to center stage at America’s biggest entertainment spectacle.
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About the Guest
Miguel Gandelman is one of music’s most sought-after musical directors, known for his behind-the-scenes brilliance, relentless work ethic, and unique blend of technical and cultural expertise. With a career spanning work with superstars like Stevie Wonder, Usher, Shakira, Janet Jackson, Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, Rihanna, Christina Aguilera, John Mayer, Aretha Franklin, the Jonas Brothers, and many more, he’s also musical directed top TV shows such as Masked Singer and Tonight Show—all while maintaining deep humility rooted in his musician family lineage from Brazil.
Highlights from the Episode
How Miguel Landed the Super Bowl Gig
The episode kicks off with Elmo Lovano asking the burning question: How did Miguel get the call for the Bad Bunny Super Bowl halftime show? As Miguel Gandelman recounts, the opportunity arose unexpectedly through a network of industry connections:
- A friend, Johnny Natural, was unable to take the gig and recommended Miguel.
- Harriet, the creative director (and a family friend), spearheaded the connection after previous collaboration attempts.
- Ultimately, the “insider” music community played a pivotal role as names were thrown into the mix and Miguel’s track record spoke for itself.
Miguel’s story is a testament to the music industry’s reliance on relationships, reputation, and the interconnected fabric of community.
The Madness of Creating a Super Bowl Halftime Show
One of the episode’s most jaw-dropping revelations is the timeline. Miguel received the call in December—barely two months before the Super Bowl—with virtually no music in place. Rehearsals began in early January, the music still only a “sketch,” and Bad Bunny had never worked with a dedicated music director before.
“It was literally sticks and stones, and now you had to build a house,” Miguel says. He was tasked with fleshing out a mysterious nine-minute musical sketch while waiting for Bad Bunny’s input as the superstar was busy on a world tour.
He flew to Chile and Colombia to record new arrangements with Bad Bunny’s band, often working on tracks in airport lounges while juggling the creative needs of dancers, choreographers, producers, and directors—all in a race against time
Working With Bad Bunny: Creative Genius and Cultural Vision
Miguel describes Bad Bunny (“Benito”) as a creative powerhouse—someone with a vision not only for music, but for every aspect of his brand, from shoes to cultural presentation. The show’s focus was deeply centered on Puerto Rico’s culture, as reflected in:
- The reggaetón, salsa, and folk transitions interwoven throughout the set.
- Traditional Puerto Rican instruments and arrangements.
- The decision to make parts (like the Cuatro solo and vocals) live for authenticity, despite logistical risks.
Miguel shares anecdotes about working with Bad Bunny, exchanging voice notes and creative ideas, and helping translate raw concepts into broadcast-ready musical moments. The heart behind the halftime show was not just entertainment, but storytelling about Puerto Rican heritage.
Lady Gaga, Salsa, and Secret Surprises
A major Super Bowl highlight was the surprise appearance of Lady Gaga. Miguel explains the challenge of making her hit, “Die With a Smile,” resonate as a salsa piece in 4/4 with authentic clave rhythms, bringing together different musical worlds. This required:
- Rapid new arrangements and studio sessions with secret-keeping paramount—even the band was sometimes kept in the dark until the last minute.
- Coaching Gaga through the nuances of Latin rhythm: “Don’t try to sound like Celia Cruz—be yourself, but with flair.”
- Producing background vocals with the Planeros (Puerto Rican percussionists) for added authenticity.
This segment of the episode underscores not only the technical feats involved, but the cultural sensitivity and collaborative spirit essential for pulling off such a crossover moment.
The Logistics: Rehearsals, Grass People, and On-Field Magic
Miguel and Elmo paint a vivid picture of the production:
- Rehearsals took place at the Shrine, where the backstage was transformed into a full football field for choreography and set blocking.
- Miguel juggled endless edits, often programming in airports, and collaborating with his small team (essentially just him and his mixer).
- On show days, elaborate choreography, set construction (carts pushed onto the field), and even 400 “grass people” (dancers or extras) were orchestrated with military precision.
A fun Easter egg: A real wedding took place during the performance, marking a truly memorable moment for the couple and viewers.
Technical Mastery: Live Vocals and Risk Management
Miguel discusses the high wire act of making Bad Bunny’s vocals live amidst millions watching and complicated RF (radio frequency) logistics in a packed stadium.
- Only vocals and certain instruments (Cuatro) were live; everything else was meticulously pre-recorded and mixed.
- Bad Bunny’s approach to rehearsals was minimal and spontaneous, keeping even his team guessing about many of the spoken-word elements and surprises until dress rehearsal.
Miguel’s TV experience paid off, enabling him to deliver high-impact audio and music under extreme deadlines and unpredictable conditions.
Roots, Love, and Devotion to Music
The episode rounds out with heartfelt insight into Miguel’s upbringing—a musical family in Brazil, classical and jazz influences, early programming skills, and a philosophy of music as sacred devotion, not just entertainment.
Miguel reflects, “If you love music that much, music will love you back.” For him, the Super Bowl halftime show was a culmination of decades of preparation, a moment that merged cultural storytelling, teamwork, and technical artistry.
Key Takeaways
- Preparation and Adaptability: The Super Bowl halftime show’s creation was a whirlwind—Miguel’s ability to adapt, communicate, and deliver under pressure is a lesson for any creative professional.
- Cultural Authenticity: The show remains one of the most significant celebrations of Puerto Rican culture, with conscious attention to musical and visual detail.
- Collaborative Spirit and Trust: Miguel built rapport and trust with Bad Bunny, Lady Gaga, and the whole team, despite never having worked as Bad Bunny’s MD before—demonstrating the importance of communication and openness.
- Music as Sacred Practice: Throughout the episode, Miguel emphasizes music’s power to connect, heal, and tell stories that matter.
Listen to the Full Conversation
This landmark episode isn’t just a glimpse behind the curtain; it’s a celebration of music’s power, creative process, and community. Tune in to Go With Elmo: Episode 100 for the whole inspiring journey, and catch every Easter egg as you re-watch the Bad Bunny Super Bowl halftime show.
Follow Go With Elmo for more deep dives with the world’s top musical innovators.
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