Reggaeton Legend Daddy Yankee Named Latin Recording Academy’s 2026 Person Of The Year

Daddy Yankee, a pioneer in the reggaeton genre who helped globalize Latin music, will be honored this year by the Latin Recording Academy as Person of the Year, a prestigious honor given to artists who have made great contributions to Latin music and philanthropy.

Throughout his nearly three-decade career, Daddy Yankee, whose real name is Ramón Luis Ayala Rodríguez, has not only made a huge impact in the urban genre but also socially, helping vulnerable Puerto Rican communities through his foundation.

“Daddy Yankee has been a defining force in the global rise of Latin music,” Manuel Abud, CEO of The Latin Recording Academy, said in a statement. “His leadership, discipline and vision opened the doors for a genre and inspired an entire generation of creators, and he remains as relevant today as ever. We are proud to honor him as our 2026 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year.”

The Puerto Rican icon’s story is one of perseverance and creativity. He grew up in the barrios of Las Lomas and Villa Kennedy in San Juan, Puerto Rico, during a period of violence, censorship and exclusion. He channeled all of his experiences to create musical language and sound of his own, one that resonated with audiences beyond Latin America. Reggaeton was originally stigmatized by society, but Daddy Yankee’s music helped legitimize the genre and its artistry.

“This recognition from The Latin Recording Academy is a dream come true. It means a lot because it represents more than just a successful career; it’s recognition of years of discipline, struggle, faith and commitment to our culture,” Daddy Yankee said. “Receiving something like this is to honor Puerto Rico, to honor all Latinos, and specifically to that entire generation that believed in our music when no one else understood it.”

SEE COVER STORY: ¡Arriba! Daddy Yankee Goes Out On Top With ‘La Última Vuelta Tour’

Daddy Yankee’s 2004 album Barrio Fino was not only a turning point for him but for all of music. It sold over eight million copies and was atop music charts, and the smash hit single “Gasolina” became a cultural phenomenon, launching reggaeton to new heights and markets across the globe.

Another impactful milestone was the success of “Despacito,” a song written in collaboration with Erika Ender and Luis Fonsi that became one of the biggest hits around the world, generating nearly 9 billion streams. His talent and influence earned Daddy Yankee the moniker of King of Reggaeton.

Daddy Yankee retired from professional music in 2022 and embarked on the massively successful “La Última Vuelta World Tour.” The farewell trek grossed $204,525,802 and moved 1.94 million tickets across 84 shows, according to Pollstar Boxoffice.

He returned to music in 2025 and released Lamento En Baile, a faith-based album that focuses more on spiritual reflection, ethical values and personal transformation.

The Latin Recording Academy honors its Person of the Year honoree with a private gala featuring performances from a diverse group of artists. This year’s event takes place Nov. 11 as part of Latin Grammy Week. To purchase tickets, contact lgticketing@grammy.com.