Overview
- Daddy Yankee’s selection, which the Academy announced Tuesday, comes with a November 11 gala in Las Vegas that will feature a tribute concert with artists to be announced.
- Academy CEO Manuel Abud said the reggaetón pioneer was central to Latin music’s global rise through leadership, discipline, and vision.
- Responding to the news, the Puerto Rican star called the award a dream come true and said it honors his island, the Latino community, and early believers in the genre.
- Coverage cites career milestones that pushed the sound worldwide, including the 2004 album Barrio Fino, the hit Gasolina, and his role in Despacito’s record-setting run on Billboard charts.
- The award also recognizes his philanthropy, highlighted by his Daddy’s House foundation and youth sports investments in Puerto Rico, which support education and community programs.