Daddy Yankee has revealed that he is officially retiring from the music industry to devote his life to his religious faith.
The 46-year-old Puerto Rican artist, whose real name is Ramón Luis Ayala Rodríguez, is best known for the hit ‘Gasolina,’ a song that introduced a new audience to reggaeton, making the music genre a global phenomenon.
The hit track catapulted him into mainstream success back in 2004, and since then he has sold a staggering 30 million records worldwide, becoming one of the best-selling Latin artists in the history of music.
This Sunday (December 3), the ‘Despacito’ musician held his farewell concert called La Meta (The Goal), where he not only performed his timeless songs but also delivered a life-changing message to his fans.
Watch his farewell speech below:
Rodríguez revealed to the crowd at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico and fans watching from a livestream that after enjoying a 30-year career, he is retiring to focus on his Christian faith.
“This is the most important day of my life and I want to share it because it’s not the same living a life with success than a life with purpose,” he said in Spanish, per Billboard.
“For many years I’ve tried filling a void 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 continued. “I have to confess that those days are over and someone was able to fill that void that I felt for a lot of time. I realized that for everyone I was someone but I was no one without him.”
The ‘Con Calma’ rapper tearfully cited this Bible verse in Spanish: “What good will it be for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?”, and said: “That is why tonight, I recognize, and I am not ashamed to tell the whole world that Jesus lives in me and that I will live for him.”
Daddy Yankee during his farewell concert La Meta at Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot. Credit: Gladys Vega / Getty
The singer announced that he will embark on “a new beginning” as Ramón Ayala, his birth name, adding: “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.
“Thank you very much, Puerto Rico, and I hope that you walk with me in this new beginning,” he continued. “To all the people who followed me, follow Jesus Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life.
“Just like Jesus, with his mercy, allowed me to travel the world, in your mercy, Father, I hope you allow me to evangelize the world from Puerto Rico. Amen,” he concluded.
At the end of the show, dozens of drones shone outside of the venue for a light show in the sky, displaying a cross and the message “Cristo viene”, which translates to “Christ will come”.
Many fans flooded the comment section with praise for the Latin hitmaker’s new journey, with one user writing: “Lovvveee youuuuu Yankee!!! May God continue to cover and bless you on your new journey in life. Thank you for THE BEST experience ever!!!”
Another chimed in: “Amen amen amen! Now I admire and respect you a million times over,” while a third added: “Impossible not to cry, without a doubt you are number 1. SOS MY CHILDHOOD, A JOY THAT NO ONE CAN ERASE. I LOVE YOU FOREVER.”
Daddy Yankee is best known for the hit ‘Gasolina,’ a song that introduced a new audience to reggaeton. Credit: Ron Galella / Getty
Daddy Yankee is not the first reggaeton artist who has stepped back from the music industry to devote his life to his religious beliefs.
Other artists in Puerto Rico who followed similar steps are Farruko, Héctor ‘El Father’, and Voltio.