Bad Bunny Honors Willie Colón During São Paulo Tour Stop | Rolling Stone
- Bad Bunny paid tribute to salsa legend Willie Colón at his Debí Tirar Más Fotos world tour stop in São Paulo, Brazil, following Colón’s death on Saturday morning...
- Before performing his song “NUEVAYoL,” which prominently features a reference to Colón, Bad Bunny addressed the audience.
- “From me and Los Sobrinos, we wish Willie Colón rests in peace,” Bad Bunny continued, referencing his live band.
Bad Bunny Honors Willie Colón During Brazil Concert Following Salsa Legend’s Death
Bad Bunny paid tribute to salsa legend Willie Colón at his Debí Tirar Más Fotos world tour stop in São Paulo, Brazil, following Colón’s death on Saturday morning at the age of 75. The cause of death has not been disclosed.
Before performing his song “NUEVAYoL,” which prominently features a reference to Colón, Bad Bunny addressed the audience. “This music is very special. It’s the influence of all of us who grew up listening to salsa in the Caribbean. Today, one of the great legends who contributed to this beautiful genre passed away,” he said, according to reporting from Rolling Stone.
“From me and Los Sobrinos, we wish Willie Colón rests in peace,” Bad Bunny continued, referencing his live band. “Much strength to his family.”
The tribute underscores the significant impact Colón had on Bad Bunny’s music. The artist name-dropped the salsa icon in the first verse of Debí Tirar Más Fotos, rapping “Willie Colón, me dicen ‘еl malo,’” (“Willie Colón, they call me the bad one,”) a nod to Colón’s 1967 debut album, El Malo.
“NUEVAYoL” itself is described as a full homage to Nuoyorican icons like Colón, sampling Puerto Rico’s “Godfather of Salsa” Andy Montañez Rodrígue’s rendition of El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico’s song “Un Verano en Nueva York” against a dembow beat.
Despite differing viewpoints that emerged later in Colón’s life, as highlighted on social media, the salsa legend reportedly responded positively to being included in Bad Bunny’s song. According to a post on X (formerly Twitter), Colón stated, “When I heard it, I was really surprised. The push it gave to salsa and to Boricuas, it’s something we all needed.”
The concert in São Paulo took place on February 20, 2026, at Allianz Parque, with Bad Bunny’s tribute occurring during the performance. The gesture highlights the cross-generational influence of Willie Colón and the respect Bad Bunny holds for the pioneers of salsa music.