Puerto Rican singer Daddy Yankee became the first urban-genre artist honored as Person of the Year by the Latin Recording Academy at a tribute in Las Vegas on Wednesday, November 11, during Latin Grammy week ahead of the awards gala on Friday, November 13. Speaking to EFE on the red carpet, he said the recognition "represents not only the achievement of this servant, but the achievement of an entire culture, an entire genre, of many colleagues who started with me from the beginning of the 90s."
He recalled the DJs, dancers and fans who spread the music from Puerto Rico’s public housing projects at a time when reggaeton lacked institutional recognition, saying the government once saw them as criminals and that reaching this point required sacrifices and overcoming social challenges including prejudice and marginalization. Accompanied by his mother throughout the gala, he dedicated the honor to those who believed in the movement from day one.
The tribute coincides with his new album "La Postal" and his upcoming headlining slot at the Coachella festival, where he promised "a great show." The ceremony traced more than three decades of his career, including a reggae version of "La despedida," a classic take on "Gasolina," and salsa adaptations of "I Like It Like That" and "¿Qué tengo que hacer?"
He shared the stage with Sugarhill Gang, who sang "Rapper’s Delight," and Óscar de León, who sang "Despacito" with Nathy Peluso. Jowell y Randy, Gente de Zona’s Alexander Delgado, Pedro Capó, Lenny Tavárez, Pablo Alborán, Natalia Jiménez and musical director Jean Rodríguez also paid tribute.