Daddy Yankee is stepping into a brand-new era—and it’s nothing like the one that turned him into a reggaeton legend.
After bowing out of the spotlight in 2023, the Puerto Rican superstar has reintroduced himself as DY, marking both a name change and a shift in his creative direction. This time around, he says he’s committed to making faith-centered music that reflects who he is today.
In a new conversation with ABC News correspondent Rocsi Diaz—set to air November 20—DY talks about why he’s embracing gospel influences and how the transition has reshaped him.
He calls this moment both a personal and artistic reset. “Live the present,” he tells Diaz. “And always depend on your best friend, which is Jesus.”
DY adds that the change didn’t come with instant answers. Instead, he describes it as a journey of reflection and ongoing growth.
“The beauty of this journey is that everything that happens to you is a lesson,” he says in the interview. “I’m not perfect. I’m going through the process. I make mistakes every day. I have weaknesses. And that’s real good, because…I’m getting to know myself better every day, and trying to be better and face my vulnerabilities.”
The transition has sparked mixed reactions from longtime fans—especially those still attached to the era of hits like “Gasolina.” When Diaz asks if anyone has told him they miss the old Daddy Yankee, DY doesn’t hesitate. “Oh yeah. Oh yes. They told me, ‘I miss the old one,’” he says. “And I say, okay, that’s good. I understand. But you’re gonna love the new one.”
This moment also comes just days after headlines about DY and the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show. Bad Bunny is set to headline, but DY recently shut down any expectations of a “Gasolina” comeback.
“I’m on a different mission right now,” he told ABC News, adding that while he respects Bad Bunny, his focus has shifted. However, he did hint that performing one of his more uplifting songs—like “Sonríele”—would be a different story.
The full conversation between DY and Rocsi Diaz airs November 20 on ABC News Live at 8:30 p.m. ET.
