Bad Bunny pays tribute to 'one of the legends' who defined Latin music after icon's death
Bad Bunny heaped praise on salsa legend Willie Colón hours after his death.
Bad Bunny hailed Willie Colón as "one of the legends who contributed" to Latin music following his death.
The music pioneer died on Saturday (21.02.26) aged 75, and the DtMF hitmaker led tributes to him at a concert in Sao Paulo, Brazil later that night.
Speaking to fans in Spanish in footage shared on social media, Bad Bunny said: "Today, one of the legends who contributed to this beautiful and legendary genre passed away.
“So, on behalf of myself and Los Sobrinos, we wish Willie Colón peace. Much strength to his family.
"The inspiration of so many of these great musicians who left their mark on this earth will never die as long as there are talented young people like those here, keeping the music, salsa and all Caribbean rhythms alive.”
Colón is an icon in salsa and Latin music, and his longtime manager heaped praise on his legacy as he confirmed his death over the weekend.
Pietro Carlos said in a statement: "Willie didn’t just change salsa.
"He expanded it, politicised it, clothed it in urban chronicles and took it to stages where it hadn’t been before.
"His trombone was the voice of the people.”
Colón built his reputation with songs like Ché Ché Colé and Aguanile.
Meanwhile, his Siembra album with Ruben Blades became the biggest selling salsa set ever.
Blades promised to share his own tribute at a later date, adding: "Later, and with calm, I will write about Willie and his vital and important musical legacy.”
And Fania Records, who signed Colón when he was 15 years old, described him as a "pillar" of the label.
They commented: "We are heartbroken by the passing of an icon whose sound transcended the dance floor and defined an era.
"A pillar of Fania Records, Willie helped bring Latin music from the streets of New York to audiences around the world.
"His music declared identity, pride, resistance, and joy. His music was not just heard; it was lived.”
Bad Bunny recently headlined the Super Bowl halftime show, and paid tribute to his roots by performing in Spanish.
The 31-year-old Grammy Award winner took to the stage at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California halfway through the Seattle Seahawks’ game with the New England Patriots and performed some of his biggest hits, including Tití Me Preguntó, MONACO and BAILE INoLVIDABLE.
The artist - whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio - also welcomed guest performers such as Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin onto the stage during his set, which also featured cameos from the likes of Pedro Pascal, Cardi B, Karol G and Jessica Alba.
After the event, Gaga wrote on Instagram: "It was my absolute honor to be a part of Benito’s halftime show.
“Thank you Benito for inviting me and thank you to the entire cast for welcoming me onto your stage. I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”
