‘I’m Back’: Is Daddy Yankee Coming Out of Retirement?
Courtesy of the artist.
After announcing his retirement and focusing on preaching, Daddy Yankee appears to be mounting a music comeback. The Puerto Rican icon recently teased a new music video that features Nuyorican actor Anthony Ramos.
Daddy Yankee was the spark that lit the fuse for the global success of reggaeton thanks to the 2004 hit “Gasolina.” After nearly two decades of leading the genre, he decided to take a step back following the conclusion of his “La Última Vuelta World Tour” in late 2023. At his final concert of the tour, Daddy Yankee announced that he was retiring and dedicating his life to God.
Though Yankee has been in retirement, he has released a few singles since then. Songs like “Loveo,” “Bailando En La Lluvia,” and “En El Desierto” represent his more spiritual outlook on life. Now, Daddy Yankee appears to be making a return to form with the teaser for his upcoming song, “Sonríele.”
The teaser for “Sonríele” is called “DY is Back.” In the video, Ramos, known for starring in the Broadway musical Hamilton and films like Transformers: Rise of the Beasts and Twisters, calls Daddy Yankee to come outside. After sharing a hug, Ramos asks him, “Are you ready?” Daddy Yankee confidently responds, “I’m back!”
“Sonríele” will be released tomorrow, July 10, at 12:01 a.m. The song and music video will follow the intense legal battle with his estranged wife, Mireddys González. In December 2024, Daddy Yankee revealed that he and González were getting a divorce. He later sued her and his sister-in-law, Ayeicha González Castellano, for unauthorized transactions after the women allegedly tried to withdraw a total of $100 million from his business accounts from El Cartel Records and El Cangris without his consent. The parties eventually reached a settlement in the dispute.
Also last year, DY sold his catalog — which included hits like “Gasolina,” “Con Calma,” and “Despacito” — to Concord for $217 million.