Daddy Yankee received a special award from YouTube on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2026, after racking up more than 3.3 billion streams on the platform this year and securing a spot among the top 50 most-streamed artists of 2026, Prensa Libre reported.
The video and music platform highlighted the enduring cultural footprint of the Puerto Rican singer during the All In You For You event, organized during Latin Grammy week. Sandra Jiménez, YouTube’s regional director and head of music for Latin America and the United States, presented the honor.
“Gracias por la oportunidad de representar el talento y toda mi cultura latina,” Daddy Yankee said upon accepting the award.
The artist turned 50 in February and commands a career spanning more than three decades as a foundational figure of urban music. YouTube records show that across the first 11 months of 2026, the boricua star reached nearly 42 million subscribers and generated more than 3.3 billion global streams, driven heavily by audiences in Mexico, Argentina, the United States, and Colombia.
Listeners in Mexico accounted for more than 475 million streams, while Argentina registered over 405 million. Users in the United States contributed more than 390 million streams, and Colombia added upwards of 255 million.
This YouTube recognition arrives just as the Latin Recording Academy prepares to name him the 2026 Person of the Year during a tribute scheduled for Wednesday, Nov. 11, in Las Vegas. He is also slated to perform during the 2026 Latin Grammy ceremony in the same city on Thursday, Nov. 12.
The milestones accompany a distinct creative and personal chapter for the artist, who released his latest conceptual album, La Postal, on Oct. 30, 2026. The 15-track project features collaborations with Cardi B, De La Rose, Danny Ocean, Myke Towers, and producer Bizarrap.
Reflecting on the intense touring and production schedules that led to his brief retirement in 2023, the singer said that stepping away allowed him to realign his physical, emotional, and spiritual health. That introspection ultimately paved the way for his return to the studio.
Una postal dice cosas que un texto no puede decir. Me detuve, pensé en ti y quise que la guardaras. Ese es el espíritu de este álbum,” Daddy Yankee described on his social channels.
