[Video] Latin GRAMMY Person of the Year Gala Honors Daddy Yankee: J Balvin and LL Cool J Present the Award as Stars Perform His Classics

LAS VEGAS, Clark County, Nevada — The Latin Recording Academy honored Daddy Yankee at the 2026 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year Gala on November 11 at the MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas. Born Ramón Luis Ayala Rodríguez, the Puerto Rican artist was recognized for a career of nearly three decades as a driving force behind the globalization of reggaeton, and for his humanitarian work.

The show traced his story from the barrios of San Juan in the 1990s. Jorge Drexler performed "Ante La Duda, Baila," reciting its verse about "Ley 112," the 1995 law once used to confiscate reggaeton cassettes from San Juan record stores. DJ Playero, who first recorded Daddy Yankee, played a set of the era's formative tracks, and Anthony Ramos performed "Coraza Divina," a song written about the honoree.

Tito El Bambino and Jowell & Randy joined Feid and Trueno for "Gasolina"; Reik and Luísa Sonza performed "Ella Me Levantó"; Farruko, Kapo, and Rawayana gave "La Despedida" a reggae turn; Pablo Alborán and Natalia Jiménez performed "De Vuelta Pa' La Vuelta"; and Pedro Capó and Elena Rose sang "Ora Por Mí," the most personal song Daddy Yankee has written. The Sugarhill Gang made a surprise appearance with "Rapper's Delight," a song the honoree credits as a major influence. In a salsa segment produced by Sergio George, Tito Nieves, Oscar D'León, and Nathy Peluso performed "Despacito."

The next generation took the stage with Ryan Castro, J Noa, and Feid performing "Rompe," Paulo Londra with "Gangsta Zone," and Trueno with "Talento de Barrio," before the full cast joined for "Somos de Calle" and J Balvin performed "Tu Príncipe." Daddy Yankee closed the night himself with "Sonríele," "BOTZ," and "Lo Que Pasó, Pasó," and received the Person of the Year award from J Balvin and LL Cool J.

Live Nation served as presenting sponsor of the gala for the third consecutive year. The gala's executive producers were Ayleen Figueras, the Academy's Senior Vice President of Production, and Macarena Moreno, with musical production by Danny Flores and Roberto Trujillo.

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Source: The Latin Recording Academy

Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)

Photo: 图：Daddy Yankee 从 J Balvin 与 LL Cool J 手中接过拉丁格莱美「年度人物」奖杯。图：拉丁录音艺术与科学院／David Becker，Getty Images / Photo: Daddy Yankee receives the Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year award from J Balvin and LL Cool J. Courtesy of The Latin Recording Academy/David Becker, Getty Images ©2026.

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