Puerto Rican reggaeton sensation Daddy Yankee has announced his departure from the music scene to fully dedicate himself to Christianity, as reported by the BBC. During the final leg of his world tour, the 46-year-old rapper, known for chart-toppers like ‘Despacito’ and ‘Gasolina,’ shared this life-altering decision with his fans.
Speaking on stage at Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan, Daddy Yankee, whose real name is Ramón Rodríguez, emphasized how his Christian faith had been a source of salvation. Urging his fans to “follow Jesus Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life,” he openly expressed his commitment to living for his faith. In Spanish, he declared, “Tonight I am not ashamed to tell the whole world that Jesus lives in me and that I will live for him. For a long time, I tried to fill an emptiness… that nobody could fill.”
As part of his La Última Vuelta (Last Lap) world tour, Daddy Yankee reflected on the distinction between a successful life and one with purpose, stating, “Living a successful life is not the same as living a life with purpose.” He conveyed his intention to use the tools at his disposal, such as music, social networks, platforms, and a microphone, for the advancement of his faith.
Daddy Yankee, a key figure in the rise of reggaeton to global prominence, has enjoyed one of the most successful careers in the history of Latin American music. Notably, in 2021, he and other reggaeton artists faced a lawsuit alleging that numerous reggaeton tracks, including his own, sampled a 1989 song by Jamaican duo Steely & Clevie titled ‘Fish Market.’ The artists are contesting the lawsuit, asserting that it aims to monopolize the entire reggaeton musical genre.
