Inside the 2026 Person of the Year Gala Honoring Daddy Yankee: ‘I Couldn’t Believe Everything I Had Built’
Categoria: Musica
J Balvin, Feid, Trueno, The Sugar Hill Gang, and more artists celebrated the pioneering reggaetón star at the intimate event in Las Vegas.
Por Billboard | 12/11/2026
Music stars and industry leaders gathered at the MGM Grand Marquee Ballroom in Las Vegas on Wednesday (Nov. 11) for an evening that honored Daddy Yankee , The Latin Recording Academy’s 2026 Person of the Year. As tradition holds, the invite-only gala included a dinner and presentation that ran more than three hours, featuring renditions of Daddy Yankee’s repertoire performed by different artists. Related Latin Grammy Awards 2026: How to Watch, Plus All the Performers & Presenters Latin Grammy Awards 2026 Predictions: Who Will Win the Top Honors? Meet the 2026 Latin Grammy Best New Artist Nominees: Aria Vega, Macario Martínez, Delilah & More “For the first time in history, the Academy honors one of the great pioneers of reggaeton […] Today, we gather to celebrate his career, his music has brought people together—across cultures and generations,” said Manuel Abud, CEO of The Latin Recording Academy, ahead of welcoming the Puerto Rican artist. “Tonight will be a very special journey through your musical career. We have surprises, first-time moments, and music that we believe inspired you.” The tribute began with a brief introduction by Jorge Drexler and DJ Playero spinning some of Yankee’s earlier hits, before officially starting with a performance by Anthony Ramos singing “Coraza Divina” (2007) in salsa. Immediately after, Tito El Bambino, Jowell y Randy, and Feid gave a euphoric performance of “Gasolina.” “To me, he is like an older brother,” Tito told the audience of how he was 12 years old when he met Yankee. “He had vision and believed in the new generations. I pray that God grants this gentleman a long life. Thank you for everything you have done for the entire industry.” One of the most notable moments of the night was when ’80s hip-hop group The Sugar Hill Gang — whom Yankee is a fan of — brought their “Rapper’s Delight” to the stage. In another special moment, the new generation of rappers, J Noa, Paulo Londra, Trueno, Feid, and Ryan Castro, joined forces on a powerful medley that included “Rompe,” “Gangsta Zone,” “Talento de Barrio,” and “Somos de Calle.” Other artists who formed part of the special ceremony included Reik and Luisa Sonza doing a bossanova version of “Ella Me Levantó”; Farruko, Rawayana, and Kapo performing a reggae version of “La Despedida”; Natalia Jimenez and Pablo Alborán crooning the crowd with a ballad version of “De Vuelta Pa’ La Vuelta;” Tito Nieves, Oscar D’ Leon, and Nathy Peluso giving “Despacito” a salsa twist; and Pedro Capo and Elena Rose’s classical “Ora Por Mi,” to name a few. Additionally, artists such as Juan Luis Guerra, Fergie, Luis Fonsi, Black Eyes Peas, Carlos Vives, Snow, Lil Jon, Steve Aoki, and others, sent heartfelt video messages. Following the back-