Daddy Yankee Announces Retirement from Music; Says He'll Focus on Christian Faith
Puerto Rico sensation Daddy Yankee, heralded as the King of Reggaeton, has declared his intention to center his life around his Christian faith following his announced retirement from the music industry, according to The Guardian.
The 46-year-old artist, born Ramón Rodríguez, shared these profound revelations during his farewell concert at Puerto Rico's José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum.
"I am not ashamed to tell the whole world that Jesus lives in me and that I will live for him," Daddy Yankee told his fans in Spanish.
He further elaborated on his spiritual journey, revealing a void he sought to fill throughout his illustrious 30-year career.
"For many years I've tried filling a hole in my life that no one could fill. I tried finding a purpose, on many occasions, it seemed as if I was happy but something was missing for me to feel complete," he added.
The reggaeton pioneer pledged to utilize the tools at his disposal, including music, social networks, platforms, and his microphone, for the service of his faith and the kingdom of Jesus.
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Daddy Yankee Bids Adieu to Music Career
Daddy Yankee initially announced his retirement in March 2022, marking the end of a marathon-like career, per CNN.
In a heartfelt video statement on YouTube, he conveyed gratitude to his fans for making reggaeton a global phenomenon.
Before officially stepping away from the mic, he released his final album, "Legendaddy," on March 24, and embarked on a farewell tour.
Over the course of his remarkable career, Daddy Yankee sold more than 30 million records.
His iconic track "Gasolina," released in 2004, played a pivotal role in introducing reggaeton to an international audience.
His collaboration with Luis Fonsi on "Despacito" set records in 2017, reigning atop Billboard's Hot 100 for 16 weeks and becoming YouTube's second most-streamed video of all time.
Daddy Yankee's Profound Commitment to Faith
The King of Reggaeton affirmed his commitment to using his acquired skills and influence in the service of his faith, proclaiming, "All the tools that I have in my possession, such as music, social networks, platforms, a microphone - everything that Jesus gave me - is now for his kingdom."
He encouraged fans to follow Jesus Christ and concluded the concert with a prayer, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to evangelize the world from Puerto Rico, FOX News noted.
As a poignant visual representation of his spiritual journey, light-up drones formed the shape of a cross and the words "Cristo Viene" ("Christ will come") in the night sky above the concert venue.
Daddy Yankee's retirement tour, "La última Vuelta," secured a notable position at No. 13 on the Top 40 Tours of 2022, grossing over $125 million, according to Billboard's Year-End Boxscore charts.
His decision to prioritize his Christian faith resonates with a growing wave of reggaeton stars, including Farruko, Hector "El Father" Delgado, El General, who have openly embraced their spirituality.
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Written by: Bert Hoover
WATCH: Daddy Yankee retires from reggaeton to devote his life to Jesus Christ - From ABC7