Daddy Yankee Celebrated at Latin Recording Academy’s 2026 Person of the Year Gala in Las Vegas
Music icons and industry figures gathered in Las Vegas to honor reggaeton pioneer Daddy Yankee as the Latin Recording Academy's 2026 Person of the Year.
🎵MusicPhoto: Billboard
Key points
- Daddy Yankee honored as Latin Recording Academy's 2026 Person of the Year in Las Vegas.
- Three-hour tribute featured genre-bending covers by Anthony Ramos, Feid, Tito El Bambino, and The Sugar Hill Gang.
- The honoree closed the gala with live performances of 'Botz,' 'Sonríele,' and 'Lo Que Paso Paso.'
The MGM Grand Marquee Ballroom in Las Vegas played host to an invite-only celebration on Wednesday, November 11, honoring Daddy Yankee as the Latin Recording Academy’s 2026 Person of the Year. The extensive evening featured a dinner and a three-hour tribute program filled with reimagined versions of the Puerto Rican artist's biggest tracks performed by various contemporary and legacy acts.
A Star-Studded Musical Journey
Latin Academy CEO Manuel Abud opened the ceremony by highlighting the artist's historical role in lifting reggaeton to a global platform. The night kicked off with Jorge Drexler and DJ Playero setting the mood before Anthony Ramos launched into a salsa rendition of 'Coraza Divina.' Throughout the evening, performers like Feid, Tito El Bambino, Jowell y Randy energized the room with 'Gasolina,' while international groups including The Sugar Hill Gang delivered surprise appearances.
A broad array of musicians contributed to the tribute, covering genres from bossanova and reggae to classical and ballad interpretations. Artists such as Luis Fonsi, Juan Luis Guerra, and Lil Jon shared video messages, leading up to a formal introduction by J Balvin and LL Cool J that brought the honoree to the stage.
Gratitude and Reflection
Accompanied by his parents, son, and brothers, Daddy Yankee expressed profound disbelief at the scale of his accomplishments during his acceptance speech. Following his remarks, the veteran performer closed out the night by delivering live renditions of 'Botz,' 'Sonríele,' and 'Lo Que Paso Paso.'
“Never in my life have I felt an emotion as powerful as the one I felt today. As I was enjoying the moment and reflecting, I could hardly believe everything I had built,” Daddy Yankee told the audience.
Recognized for transforming reggaeton from underground roots into a worldwide phenomenon, the artist boasts a career spanning nearly three decades, anchored by landmark releases like 2004's Barrio Fino and the global smash 'Despacito.' After a brief retirement announcement in 2022, he returned to music with a faith-focused direction, releasing projects like Lamento en Baile and continuing his studio work with recent collaborations.
Source Billboard — billboard.com/music/awards/2026-person-of-the-year-gala-daddy-yanke… ↗
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