As Daddy Yankee soon prepares to retire, he gets all the flowers he deserves. The Puerto Rican icon will receive the Legend Award at the Hispanic Heritage Awards on September 30.
The Hispanic Heritage Awards were created by the Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF). For the 35th annual ceremony, Daddy Yankee will be recognized with the Legend Award for helping to globalize Latin music and as a pioneer of reggaeton. He joins previously announced winners Los Lobos and Marvel Studios executive Victoria Alonso.
“The Hispanic Heritage Foundation is thrilled to honor Daddy Yankee with the Legend Award which is so well-deserved because of his pioneering in a form of music that impacted the world,” said Jose Antonio Tijerino, President and CEO of the management of HHF, in a press release. “Simply put, Daddy Yankee is a game changer. We also honor his service to our community through his work with his Daddy’s House Foundation and by working with organizations supporting those in need in Puerto Rico and beyond.
Daddy Yankee is currently touring the United States with his Visit to the Ultimate Vuelta. He announced his intention to retire after the tour ended. Earlier this year he released his latest album, Legendaddy, which features The Big Boss collaborating with Bad Bunny in “X Última Vez” and Rauw Alejandro in “Agua”. Last month, Daddy Yankee released the music video for “pastimewith Myke Towers.
The mark Daddy Yankee has left on Latin music history is undeniable since he released “Gasolina” in 2004. His breakthrough album, Fino district, would be the spark that lit the wick for the global takeover of reggaeton music. In recent years he has continued to release bangers like “Despacito” with Luis Fonsi, “Con Calma” with Snow and “Dura”. Her music video for “Remix” is appointed at this year’s MTV Video Music Awards for Best Latin.
The Hispanic Heritage Awards will air Friday, September 30 on PBS stations and stream on pbs.org. Additional winners will be announced in the coming weeks prior to the event.