Puerto Rican superstar Daddy Yankee has announced he’s giving up music to devote his life to religion.
The star, known for UK chart hits like Despacito and Gasolina, revealed the news to fans at the final show of his La Última Vuelta (Last Lap) world tour.
“Living a successful life is not the same as living a life with purpose,” the 46-year-old rapper told the crowd.
“For a long time, I tried to fill an emptiness… that nobody could fill,” he added, saying faith had saved him.
“That’s why tonight I recognised and am unashamed to tell the world that Jesus lives in me and that I will live for him.”
It’s an abrupt change for one of the leading voices in reggaeton, the sexually-charged, street-smart style that emerged in Panama and Puerto Rico in the 1990s, blending reggae music with Latin American dance hall music and hip-hop.
Yankee, born Ramón Luis Ayala Rodríguez, has been one of the genres’ biggest ambassadors, scoring international hits with sensual, propulsive hits like Barrio Fino, Con Calma and Rompe.
After releasing his first solo record in 1995, he became the best-selling Latin artist of the 2000s, and collaborated with everyone from Justin Bieber to Snoop Dogg, Janet Jackson and the Jonas Brothers.
He announced the decision to bow out in March, with the release of his first studio album in a decade – humbly titled Legendaddy – and the promise of his biggest-ever tour.
As he finished his last-ever show at the packed Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan, the star thanked his fans for their support and urged them “follow Jesus Christ, who is the way, the truth and the life”, as a group of drones flew over the stadium, forming the shape of a cross.
He is not the first reggaeton star to eschew music for a life of faith – following in the footsteps of artists like El General, Héctor El Father, Julio Voltio and Jomar El Caballo Negro.
Last year, the Purto Rican rapper Farruko used a concert in Miami to apologise for the vulgar lyrics in his tracks and spoke at length about his religious beliefs.
Mohamed es cofundador de iFluency English Center en Ambato. Con una destacada trayectoria en la enseñanza del inglés como segundo idioma, ha implementado métodos innovadores en diversas partes del mundo y ahora los lleva a Ecuador para transformar el aprendizaje del inglés.