Daddy Yankee joined the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation in Las Vegas to donate musical instruments to Del Sol Academy of the Performing Arts, giving students new tools for band, rehearsals and performances while sharing his own story in a Q and A with them.

The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation®, in partnership with multi–Latin GRAMMY® winner, multi-GRAMMY® nominee and 2026 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year, Daddy Yankee, hosted Latin GRAMMY In The Schools™, an educational experience that included a donation of musical instruments to Del Sol Academy of the Performing Arts in Las Vegas. The program, presented by the Dr. Simi Foundation, and supported by Sony Music Publishing as part of the company’s Beyond The Instrument initiative, featured a Q&A session with Daddy Yankee and a special student performance.

The donated instruments will be used during band instruction, rehearsals and performances, expanding participation while reducing financial barriers for families. The school was selected because of its focus on performing arts, and the donation will provide an immediate benefit to current students while strengthening Las Vegas’ long-term music education pathway.

“Music can become one of the best allies you have in the hardest times, because you can create from every stage of your life,” said Daddy Yankee. “If I’m happy, I create. If I’m going through a struggle, I speak about that struggle too. That’s how I connect with people, and I believe I was born for a bigger purpose than singing, to serve. I want to thank The Latin Recording Academy for bringing me here and serve all of you.”

“Every student deserves the chance to pick up an instrument and discover what they are capable of,” said Raquel “Rocky” Egusquiza, Executive Director of the Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation. “Thanks to Daddy Yankee, the Dr. Simi Foundation and Sony Music Publishing, the students of Del Sol Academy of the Performing Arts have the tools and the inspiration to pursue music, and we remain committed to removing the barriers that stand between young creators and their potential.”

Since its inception, the Latin GRAMMY In The Schools program has benefited educational institutions in various cities across the United States, including Aransas Pass, Dallas, Detroit, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, New York, and San Antonio, as well as internationally in Buenos Aires, Argentina; Mexico City, Mexico; Panama City, Panama; Arecibo, Humacao, Yauco and San Juan in Puerto Rico; and Sevilla, Spain.

Latin GRAMMY In The Schools is an educational program that informs and connects music students with professionals in the Latin music industry, supporting educational music departments that face financial limitations. The Foundation invites professional musicians, artists, and sound engineers to visit middle and high schools, universities, or music education institutions and share their personal stories and experiences with students, highlighting the effort it takes to overcome career obstacles. The goal is for students to learn to optimize the educational opportunities presented to them, giving them an advantage and strong academic preparation to be able to compete in the music industry.

ABOUT DADDY YANKEE:

Ramón Luis Ayala Rodríguez, known as Daddy Yankee, is a reggaeton pioneer whose nearly three-decade career helped bring Latin urban music to a global audience. The Puerto Rican singer, songwriter and performer broke through internationally with his landmark 2004 album Barrio Fino and the global hit “Gasolina,” followed by chart-topping songs like “Limbo,” “Con Calma,” “Dura” and “Despacito.” After announcing his retirement from professional music in 2022, Daddy Yankee began a new creative chapter focused on purpose-driven music, releasing Lamento En Baile, which features “Sonríele,” a No. 1 hit on Billboard Latin Airplay. In recognition of his musical legacy and humanitarian efforts, The Latin Recording Academy named him its 2026 Person of the Year. Beyond music, he remains committed to supporting vulnerable communities in Puerto Rico through social, educational and sports initiatives.

ABOUT DR. SIMI FOUNDATION:

The Dr. Simi Foundation is an organization that supports the underprivileged and assists civil society organizations in the areas of physical and emotional health, nutrition, education, and the environment, as well as providing aid during natural disasters. To learn more, visit https://www.fundaciondrsimi.org.mx/ and follow us @drsimiusa on Instagram.

ABOUT THE LATIN GRAMMY CULTURAL FOUNDATION:

The Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation® is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization established by The Latin Recording Academy® with the vision of becoming a global champion of music education and empowering communities through Latin music and culture. In 2024, the Foundation celebrated its 10-year anniversary, and during the last decade it has fostered the next generation of Latin music creators through scholarships, education programs and grants that advance Latin music and celebrate its rich cultural heritage. To date, the Foundation has donated more than $17 million with the support of The Latin Recording Academy’s members, artists, corporate sponsors and other generous donors. For additional information or to donate, please visit latingrammyculturalfoundation.org or our Facebook page. And follow us @latingrammyfdn on Instagram, and at Latin GRAMMY Cultural Foundation on Facebook and LinkedIn.

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