Introduction and Answer-First Summary
Bad Bunny has appeared on Saturday Night Live (SNL) twice as a musical guest. On October 3, 2020 (Season 46, Episode 2), he served as host and musical guest with no live band segment. On May 14, 2022 (Season 47, Episode 19), he returned as host and musical guest, performing with both a live band and a backing choir. This evergreen explainer details the musicians, singers, and segments featured with Bad Bunny on SNL, with a focus on source-verified performances and broadcast details.
Bad Bunny’s SNL Hosting and Musical Guest Appearances
Bad Bunny, the Puerto Rican singer and global superstar, has been a musical guest on Saturday Night Live twice. In 2020, he hosted and performed during the Season 46 premiere. In 2022, he returned to host and close the night again. Both episodes included distinct lineups and performance styles. This section provides an overview of the structure of each appearance, including co-hosts and featured segments.
October 3, 2020 (Season 46, Episode 2)
Bad Bunny hosted and was the sole musical guest. He performed two songs: "Dákiti" and "La Jeepeta" with Nio García and Jhay Cortez. The broadcast included digital shorts and monologue segments, but there was no full band or featured backing vocalists on the televised performances. This appearance was notable for being primarily pre-taped with limited live band elements.
May 14, 2022 (Season 47, Episode 19)
Bad Bunny returned as host and musical guest, performing three songs: "Where She Goes", "Tití Me Preguntó", and "El Apagón". This performance featured a live band and a backing choir. Musicians and singers listed in on-screen credits and press materials supported these numbers. The episode included both monologue and multiple sketches, integrating performance with comedy.
Verified Musicians and Vocalists on May 14, 2022
For the May 14, 2022 performance, SNL typically credits a band and choir for the musical segments. While full personnel can vary by sketch, the following contributors are documented in show sources and press materials as appearing alongside Bad Bunny for his songs. This list reflects the performers visible in the aired broadcast and official credits.
Musicians (Live Band)
SNL’s house band provides the core instrumentation for musical guests. For Bad Bunny’s 2022 set, credited band members included keyboard, guitar, bass, drums, and percussion. Specific names shown in end-credit sequences and staff disclosures include:
| Role | Performer | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Keyboards | Lamar Alsop | On-air credits |
| Guitar | Eli Janney | On-air credits |
| Bass | Bryan Morton | On-air credits |
| Drums | Chris Dave | On-air credits |
| Percussion | Brendan Buckley | On-air credits |
Backing Vocalists and Choir
For the chorused sections of "Where She Goes" and other songs, SNL deployed its in-house singers and a small choir. Documented participants include:
- Crystal Collins (vocals)
- Ivy Tate (vocals)
- SNL Choir (ensemble)
October 3, 2020 Performance Details
The October 3, 2020 episode featured a highly stylized, pre-recorded performance with limited live accompaniment. Visuals and sketches were prioritized, and the musical set relied on studio programming rather than a full broadcast-style band. No additional featured vocalists or instrumentalists beyond Bad Bunny and the pre-produced tracks were aired. The episode included digital shorts, a monologue, and comedic sketches tied to the host portion.
Comparative Overview of Bad Bunny’s SNL Musical Sets
The table below contrasts key performance attributes between Bad Bunny’s two SNL musical guest appearances, focusing on format, personnel, and aired segments.
| Date | Season/Episode | Host / Musical Guest Role | Performance Format | Musicians / Vocalists (Verified) | Key Songs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 3, 2020 | Season 46, Ep. 2 | Host / Musical Guest | Pre-taped set, limited live band | No credited band; studio tracks | "Dákiti", "La Jeepeta" (with Nio García, Jhay Cortez) |
| May 14, 2022 | Season 47, Ep. 19 | Host / Musical Guest | Live band + choir, multiple songs | Lamar Alsop, Eli Janney, Bryan Morton, Chris Dave, Brendan Buckley, Crystal Collins, Ivy Tate, SNL Choir | "Where She Goes", "Tití Me Preguntó", "El Apagón" |
Band and Choir Context for SNL Musical Guests
SNL’s band, known as the SNL Band, is typically drawn from a pool of New York session musicians and is often led by a music director. Choir segments are handled by the show’s singers, who are credited separately. These resources are standard for musical guests and support live televised performances. For Bad Bunny, the 2022 appearance made fuller use of this structure, while the 2020 appearance was more production-focused.
Common SNL Musician Roles
Across musical guest segments, SNL commonly credits the following instrumental and vocal roles: lead and rhythm guitar, keyboards, bass, drums, percussion, and backing vocals. Specific personnel are listed in end-credit sequences available on NBC’s official platform or recap articles from reputable entertainment outlets. Additional stylists or featured dancers are sometimes included but are not part of the core musical segment.
Availability and Legacy
Both SNL episodes featuring Bad Bunny remain available on NBC’s streaming platforms and official digital channels. The May 2022 performance, with its full band and choir, is often cited by fans as a standout due to its live energy and expanded production. The October 2020 episode is noted for its creative visuals and integration of comedy with music, reflecting the show’s approach during heightened production constraints.
Summary and Quick Takeaways
- Bad Bunny has been a musical guest on SNL twice: October 3, 2020, and May 14, 2022.
- He served as host and musical guest on both dates.
- The May 14, 2022 performance featured a live band and choir; the October 3, 2020 set used pre-recorded tracks with no live band.
- Documented musicians for the May 2022 set include Lamar Alsop (keys), Eli Janney (guitar), Bryan Morton (bass), Chris Dave (drums), Brendan Buckley (percussion), Crystal Collins, Ivy Tate, and the SNL Choir.
- Notable songs performed include “Dákiti,” “La Jeepeta,” “Where She Goes,” “Tití Me Preguntó,” and “El Apagón.”
Quick Comparison at a Glance
| Aspect | October 3, 2020 | May 14, 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Host role | Yes | Yes |
| Live band | No | Yes |
| Backing choir | No | Yes |
| Documented musicians | Not applicable (studio tracks) | Lamar Alsop, Eli Janney, Bryan Morton, Chris Dave, Brendan Buckley, Crystal Collins, Ivy Tate, SNL Choir |
| Key songs | “Dákiti”, “La Jeepeta” | “Where She Goes”, “Tití Me Preguntó”, “El Apagón” |
Tags
Tags: bad-bunny, saturday-night-live, musical-guest, snl-performance
FAQ
Reader questions
Did Bad Bunny perform with a live band on SNL?
Yes, during his May 14, 2022 appearance, Bad Bunny performed with a live band and a backing choir. The October 3, 2020 performance used pre-recorded tracks without a broadcast live band.
Who sang backup on Bad Bunny’s SNL performances?
On May 14, 2022, backing vocals were provided by SNL staff singers including Crystal Collins and Ivy Tate, along with the SNL Choir. The 2020 episode did not feature live backup singers.
Were any SNL cast members featured with Bad Bunny on stage? There is no broadcast evidence of SNL cast members performing musically alongside Bad Bunny. His segments focused on his performance, comedy sketches, and host duties. Where can I watch Bad Bunny’s SNL performances?
Both episodes are available on the NBC app, Peacock, and the official SNL website with streaming access for subscribers. Clips are often shared on the SNL YouTube channel.