As Daddy Yankee bows before the musical stage, he sings the praises of his higher power.
During his farewell concert Sunday at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico, the reggaeton icon revealed that he plans to devote himself to his Christian faith after his retirement from the Latin genre. The show capped Yankee’s touring career following his 2022 La Última Vuelta world tour.
“My people, this day is the most important day of my life for me. And I want to share it with you because living a life of success is not the same as living a life with purpose,” said Yankee in Spanish, according to a extract from the concert shared on Instagram.
Despite the material wealth he has accumulated through his success, the Puerto Rican rapper said his faith in Christ helped him fill the “emptiness I felt for a long time.”
“What good will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul? » says Yankee, quoting a verse from the Bible. “That is why tonight I recognize, and I am not ashamed to tell the whole world that Jesus lives in me and I will live for him.”
Yankee (real name: Ramón Luis Ayala Rodríguez) said he would use his resources as a public figure, such as his social media presence and the popularity of his music, to promote Christianity. He concluded his speech by encouraging his fans to follow in his spiritual footsteps.
“To all who have followed me, follow Jesus Christ, who is the way, the truth and the life,” Yankee said. “Just as Jesus, with his mercy, allowed me to travel the world, in your mercy, Father, I hope you will allow me to evangelize the world from Puerto Rico.”
In 2004, Daddy Yankee released his international hit single “Gasolina”, credited with introducing reggaeton to audiences around the world and making the music genre a global phenomenon. Since then, he has sold approximately 30 million records, making him one of the best-selling Latin music artists.
The ‘Despacito’ emcee shocked fans in March 2022 when he announced his retirement in a video published on his official website. Yankee also announced the release of his latest album “Legendaddy”, released the same month, and the La Última Vuelta tour, which took place from July to December 2022.
Reggaeton star Farruko preaches Christian faith at concert
Daddy Yankee is not the only reggaetonero to turn away from secular music in favor of religion.
Puerto Rican rapper and singer Farruko, known for his party anthem “Pepas,” surprised fans during a concert in Miami in February 2022, when he refused to sing the song in its entirety, leaving out the catchy choruses about drug use and partying, and apologizing for those lyrics. He spoke extensively about God throughout the concert and lit a cross in neon pink.
“Farruko had an encounter with God, the Father, who took him deep within himself,” he said in recorded footage of the concert, speaking of himself in the third person. “I was urging people to take a pill, act happy and live a crazy life. You know what? I’m not proud of myself. God knows how many of your children I’ve hurt. Today , here I am, standing like a man. I ask you to forgive me.”
Farruko told fans he realized he had all the money he wanted. He enjoyed success with a single peaking at #25 on the Billboard Hot 100 and remixes released by David Guetta and Tiësto. He also said he “destroyed” his family and couldn’t see his children as much as he wanted.
Yankee and Farruko are preceded by other reggaeton artists who abandoned their careers for religion, such as El General, a Panamanian artist considered the pioneer of the genre, and Hector El Father, a Puerto Rican singer credited with paving the way for artists such as Yankee and Don Omar.
Daddy Yankee:Reggaeton superstar shocks fans by announcing retirement, farewell tour and album
“Artists are free to express themselves”:Reggaeton star Farruko shakes fans by preaching God
Contributor: Bryan Alexander, USA TODAY; Adriana Gomez Licon, Associated Press
