After three years of embracing Christianity, reggaeton icon Daddy Yankee, who now goes by Ramon Ayala, has made his return to music with a new album that showcases his faith in Christ.
“You can’t just convert and stay quiet, right? This goes beyond just creating Christian music. The real challenge is blending the Kingdom into pop culture,” he shared. “In the past, I wanted to transform the industry when people said I couldn’t. Now, my purpose has shifted to focus on revolution and reinvention.”
Ayala, now 49, had announced his retirement from music in 2022—along with his professional name—after dedicating his life to Jesus Christ.
“What good is it for a man to gain the whole world but lose his own soul?” he reflected. This quote, from Mark 8:36, was shared during the last show of his farewell tour at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico. “That’s why tonight, I proudly acknowledge to the world that Jesus lives in me, and I plan to live for Him.”
At that event, he stated, “All the tools I have—my music, my social media, my platform—everything that Jesus gave me now serves the Kingdom of God.”
Recently, he dropped a new album titled *Lamento En Baile* (Memorial to Dance), which includes Christian themes. He cited Psalm 30:11: “You have turned my sorrow into dancing. You have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy.”
In an interview with Billboard, Ayala mentioned that the album was influenced by a period of learning to lean on God during tough times, including his recent divorce after over 20 years of marriage.
“I never imagined I’d find myself in this situation, but there I was,” he admitted. “Recording a joyful album during such an unexpected time helped me regain my strength.”
“In times of crisis, one of our greatest strengths is to worship and praise the Lord because it generates joy,” he added.
His first single, “Sonríele,” released in July, translates to “Smile (in Life)” and aims to inspire listeners to rely on God during difficult moments.
“This isn’t a comeback. It’s about connection,” he emphasized. “Life isn’t perfect, but we should smile and push through. This song reflects what we go through daily. I want to remind people not to give up, to appreciate the little things, and to protect their joy.”
On October 23rd, Ayala will make his TV debut in three years.
