Daddy Yankee accepted the Latin Recording Academy’s 2026 Person of the Year honor Nov. 11 in Las Vegas. The tribute brought together reggaeton pioneers, younger performers and artists whose music helped shape his own.
The Academy recognized the Puerto Rican singer’s nearly three-decade career and humanitarian work. J Balvin and LL Cool J presented the award.
During his acceptance speech, Daddy Yankee credited God before reflecting on the songs that had brought everyone together.
“First, I want to give glory to God,” he said, according to Billboard. He attributed his presence to God’s grace rather than his own merits and thanked the artists who performed his music.
A Daddy Yankee Tribute Across Generations
The Academy’s account of the gala traces a program spanning his early recordings, international hits and musical influences.
DJ Playero revisited the formative years of reggaeton. Meanwhile, Tito El Bambino, Jowell & Randy, Feid and Trueno joined forces for “Gasolina.”
The tribute also reached beyond the genre. The Sugarhill Gang performed “Rapper’s Delight,” while Sheila E. and Dante Spinetta paired “The Glamorous Life” with “Pasarela.” A salsa segment included Nathy Peluso, Oscar D’León and Tito Nieves performing “Despacito.”
Elsewhere, Milly Quezada and Alex Zurdo performed “ABCD/Bonita.” Daddy Yankee’s recording of “ABCD,” featuring Zurdo, also earned a Spanish Language Recorded Song of the Year nomination at the 2026 GMA Dove Awards.
Looking Back at a Global Career
Born Ramón Luis Ayala Rodríguez, Daddy Yankee helped bring reggaeton to international audiences through recordings including his 2004 album, “Barrio Fino,” and its breakthrough single, “Gasolina.”
The Person of the Year award recognizes both artistic achievement and humanitarian efforts. In announcing his selection in April, the Academy highlighted his cultural influence alongside social and educational work in Puerto Rico.
At the gala, hearing other artists reinterpret his catalog prompted a personal reflection. According to Billboard, he told the audience that the songs belonged to them.
He then closed the evening with performances of “Sonríele,” “BOTZ” and “Lo Que Pasó, Pasó.”