Reggaeton Superstar Daddy Yankee Thanks HYBE and Bang Si-hyuk at Billboard Latin Music Week, Praises K-Pop and Latin Music Synergy

Reggaeton superstar Daddy Yankee expressed his gratitude towards HYBE and Chairman Bang Si-hyuk at the Billboard Latin Music Week, discussing the synergy created by K-pop and Latin music.

Daddy Yankee attended the 'Superstar Q&A' session at this year's Billboard Latin Music Week, held at The Fillmore in Miami. This event, now in its 36th year, is the largest of its kind, representing the global Latin music industry and gathering industry professionals and international artists to discuss the present and future of music.

During his conversation with Leila Cobo, Chief Content Officer for Billboard's Latin division, Daddy Yankee spoke about his collaboration with HYBE and his recently released album 'LAMENTO EN BAILE,' which dropped on the 17th. He described the collaboration as 'perfect,' stating, 'The completion of this album was made possible thanks to the belief and support of the HYBE team, HYBE America Chairman Scooter Braun, and Chairman Bang Si-hyuk.' He further elaborated on his new album and its title track 'El Toque,' saying, 'The aesthetics of K-pop and Latin rhythms have come together to create a new sensibility.'

The music video for 'El Toque' was filmed at the Mungyeongsaejae Open Set in Gyeongsangbuk-do, South Korea, blending the serene beauty of Joseon Dynasty palaces with Daddy Yankee's signature rhythmic energy, capturing the attention of global fans.

Recalling his time in Korea, Daddy Yankee shared, 'It's a truly beautiful country with many warm people. If I had the chance, I would love to visit a hundred times.' He also expressed his admiration for K-pop music videos, believing that combining their aesthetic with Latin energy would create a fantastic synergy, highlighting this album as a symbol of cultural and artistic exchange beyond just a musical project.

'LAMENTO EN BAILE,' featuring 19 tracks including 'El Toque,' centers on a bright and energetic sound despite being completed during a challenging period in Daddy Yankee's life. Critics are praising his creative and artistic revival, transforming pain into rhythm and introspection into hope.

Since his debut in 1995, Daddy Yankee has led the global popularization of reggaeton. His collaboration with Luis Fonsi on 'Despacito' in 2017, which held the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for 16 consecutive weeks, rewrote the history of Latin pop. After announcing his retirement, he has returned to the music scene by signing with HYBE Latin America, opening a new chapter of global music collaboration connecting Korea and Latin America.

Under Chairman Bang Si-hyuk's 'Multi-home, Multi-genre' strategy, HYBE is expanding its influence by transplanting its K-pop production system into the global music market. Since establishing HYBE Latin America in 2023 and acquiring local label Exile Music, the company is collaborating with various local musicians, including Daddy Yankee.

Fans are buzzing with excitement, commenting things like, "Daddy Yankee and Bang Si-hyuk's collaboration? I'm already looking forward to it!" and "K-pop meeting Latin music sounds so fresh and cool!" Many also expressed pride, "So cool that the music video was filmed in Korea!"