Daddy Yankee named Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year 2026

The Latin Recording Academy will honor Ramón Luis Ayala Rodríguez - a.k.a. Daddy Yankee - as the 2026 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year. 

The legendary Puerto Rican musician, a pioneer and driving force behind the globalization of reggaeton music, will be honored for his nearly three-decade career as a singer, songwriter and performer, as well as for his humanitarian efforts.

“This recognition from The Latin Recording Academy is a dream come true,” Daddy Yankee said. “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. 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.”

Latin Recording Academy CEO Manuel Abud added, “Daddy Yankee has been a defining force in the global rise of Latin music,” said “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.”

Daddy Yankee will be celebrated at a private gala on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, in Las Vegas, as part of Latin Grammy Week. The tribute concert will feature renditions of his renowned repertoire performed by an array of international artists and close friends.

Source: Variety
--Agencies