“I recognize and am not ashamed to tell the whole world that Christ lives in me and that I will live for him”
Daddy Yankee, perhaps part of the reason that reggaeton became so popular, has announced that he is retiring from the genre and is dedicating his life to Christ.
According to All Hip Hop, the recording artist, born Ramón Luis Ayala Rodríguez, announced on Dec. 3 at the last performance of his recent tour, La Meta (The Goal) Tour in Puerto Rico. He told the crowd of his future plans while standing on stage, informing them that “Christ lives in me and that I will live for him.”
“My people, this day for me is the most important day of my life,” he said in part. “And I want to share it with you because living a life of success is not the same as living a life with purpose.”
He expressed that through his musical journey and his world travels, he has found someone to fill an “emptiness and that is Jesus Christ.”
“I have to confess that those days are over,” Daddy Yankee said. “Someone was able to fill that emptiness. 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.”
He also stated that not only is he retiring, but he is also putting the Daddy Yankee name to rest as well. Throughout future travels and work, he will be known by his given name, Ramón Ayala. He posted a message to his Instagram account.
(Translated by Instagram)
“Family: This day for me, is the most important day in my life.. tonight I recognize and am not ashamed to tell the whole world that Christ lives in me and that I will live for him. This is the end of one chapter and the beginning of a brand new one.”
He announced the move in his hometown of San Juan, Puerto Rico.
Entertainment Weekly reported that Daddy Yankee has won five Latin Grammys and seven Billboard Music Awards. No other Latin artist has won that many. He appeared as the featured artist on Luis Fonsi’s 2017 single, Despacito, which became the first Latin song to receive a diamond certification from the RIAA. It was No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 16 weeks and was certified 13 times platinum.