By Elena Key // Staff Writer
After 32 years in the industry and being one of the founders of the music genre, reggaeton, Daddy Yankee has announced his retirement.
The artist that brought reggaeton classics like “Gasolina,” “La Nueva y La Ex,” “Lo Que Paso, Paso” and “Ella Me Levanto” is saying his final goodbye. Yankee released the album LEGENDADDY on March 24 along with the announcement of his final tour “La Ultima Vuelta Tour” and nine music videos, all in the same day.
The intro of the album, LEGENDADDY, sent chills up my body with the emotion and impact from the voice of the sports narrator introducing the last ride of The Big Boss DY.
The album itself has a mixture of everything that is Daddy Yankee, having songs with the old school and new reggaeton.
Some songs dip into different genres such as “AGUA” with Rauw Alejandro being one of the songs that is outside of Yankee’s usual zone. This song’s style is filled with a 1980s dance beat.
Lyrically, the album consist of love, sex, dance and power. Making you want to get up and dance or simply connect with the music.
Featuring news stars of the reggaeton genre, the album includes; Bad Bunny, Myke Towers, Sech, El Alfa, Becky G, Natti Natasha, and Rauw Alejandro. In a way I feel that Daddy Yankee having these artists on his album continues his legacy for the new songs and artists of reggaeton.
Many songs off the album are a reminder that while many new artists come and go, Daddy Yankee is and will always be the one of the founders and a legend of reggaeton. The gold goat on the album cover is a metaphor for how Yankee is the G.O.A.T in reggaeton.
Out of the 19 songs of the album, my favorite highlights off the album are “CAMPEÓN,” “REMIX,” “RUMBATÓN” and “BOMBÓN.”
“CAMPEÓN” sets the beginning of the album with adrenaline, following the hype of the intro of the album.
“RUMBATÓN” reminds me of “Lo Que Pasó, Pasó” off of Yankee ‘s 2004 album Barrio Fino. “RUMBATÓN” is filled with nostalgia by the use of old school reggaeton beats filled with instruments including trumpets, piano, and guitar.
“REMIX” and “BOMBÓN” are my favorite songs to dance to off the album. The highlights have been on repeat for me since the drop of the album.
On Yankee’s final album, there is a song for everyone. For those who have loved him since he started to the newer generation of listeners. The Big Boss’s farewell album to his musical career is one that will not be forgotten.
Without Daddy Yankee, the impact of reggaeton would probably not be the same as it is today, the legend left his mark on the music industry forever.