Legendaddy (stylized in all caps) is the seventh and final studio album by Puerto Rican rapper Daddy Yankee, released on March 24, 2022 by El Cartel Records, Universal Music Group and Republic Records. Published 10 years after his previous studio album, Legendaddy is Daddy Yankee's last record, as he announced that he would retire from music after the end of his farewell concert tour, La Última Vuelta, in January 2023. He decided to retire while working on the album, as he felt accomplished and wanted to enjoy everything he had achieved with his career. It is his first and only album released directly under Universal, rather than its Latin division, after signing a multimillionaire global distribution deal in 2020.

Legendaddy
Studio album by Daddy Yankee
Released	March 24, 2022 (2022-03-24)
Genre	Reggaeton trap tropical dance
Length	54:30
Language	Spanish English[lower-alpha 1]
Label	El Cartel Universal Republic
Producer	BK Jhon El Diver Dímelo Flow G.O.K.B. JBD Chris Jeday Muzik Junkies[lower-alpha 2] Alex Killer Luny Slow Mike DJ Morphius[lower-alpha 2] Gaby Music Nekxum OMB Play-N-Skillz Blu Rey Scott Summers Tainy Maki Váez Wiso Daddy Yankee
Daddy Yankee chronology
King Daddy (2013) Legendaddy (2022)
Singles from Legendaddy
"Rumbatón" Released: March 24, 2022 "Agua" Released: March 24, 2022 "Bombón" Released: March 24, 2022 "Hot" Released: March 24, 2022 "Remix" Released: March 24, 2022 "X Última Vez" Released: April 6, 2022 "Para Siempre" Released: June 2, 2022 "Pasatiempo" Released: July 28, 2022

Daddy Yankee described its themes as "fight, party, war and romance." Musically, Legendaddy is primarily a reggaeton record that incorporates trap and elements of salsa, bachata, cumbia, dembow and electronic dance music. He co-wrote and co-produced all 19 tracks, for which he recruited producers including Play-N-Skillz, Dímelo Flow, Luny, Tainy, and Chris Jeday. It features collaborations with Bad Bunny, Becky G, El Alfa, Lil Jon, Michael Buffer, Myke Towers, Natti Natasha, Nile Rodgers, Rauw Alejandro, Pitbull, and Sech. The album received mostly positive reviews from music critics, who referred to it as a good send-off for his retirement, with particular praise towards the single "Agua", which was later nominated for a Latin Grammy Award for Song of the Year, although some of its tracks were critiziced.

Eight singles were released from the record, of which the Bad Bunny-featured "X Última Vez" peaked at number 23 on the Billboard Global 200 and within the top 10 in 10 Latin American countries, while "Remix" and "Rumbatón" reached number one in Daddy Yankee's native Puerto Rico. Legendaddy became his highest-peaking album in Spain, at number two; the United States, at eight; Switzerland, at 17; and Canada, at 78. It subsequently received a Latin platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America for units of over 60,000 album-equivalent units.

Background

Following the release of Daddy Yankee's sixth studio album Prestige (2012) and his mixtape King Daddy (2013), it was announced in 2014 that his next project would be King Daddy II, which was later renamed El Disco Duro and scheduled to release in 2016.[2][3][4][5][6] On October 26, 2016, he showed some of the album's tracks to Zumba creator Beto Pérez, with whom he had a partnership, and announced that it would be released during early 2017.[7] On June 21, 2017, when asked about the record, he stated that the release had been postponed due to standalone singles being more profitable.[8] In 2019, Vice contributor Gary Suarez opined that it was "either completely dead in the water or overdue for a radical revision from what he originally intended," while Ulises Fuente of La Razón anticipated that it might not be released because of the success of his standalone singles.[5][9] In February 2020, Puerto Rican urban music news media Rapetón reported that Daddy Yankee's manager and label Pina Records' CEO, Raphy Pina, stated in a now-deleted post that "people [were] waiting for something that was never made".[10]

On September 10, 2020, Daddy Yankee closed a global distribution deal with Universal Music Group with plans of releasing a new album and producing a documentary about the history of reggaeton.[11][12][13] He had his music distributed by Universal through Capitol Latin since 2012 and proposed the recording of a new album due to him owing the label several singles.[13] On September 15, 2021, Billboard's Leila Cobo stated that the then-unnamed album would release in the fall, while Daddy Yankee hinted at a retirement and said that he saw himself growing as an executive producer of movies and documentaries.[13][14] On September 23, 2021, during his acceptance speech for his induction into the Billboard Latin Music Hall of Fame, Daddy Yankee told his fans to "enjoy his last musical round".[15] Following that, on December 30, 2021 he posted that he was going to "give his last round to the world" in 2022.[16][17]

On March 20, 2022, he posted a video on his social media in which he announced that he would retire from music after the conclusion of his upcoming farewell concert tour, La Última Vuelta, as well as the release date for his final album, Legendaddy.[18][19] In the video, the rapper said that he "finally [saw] the finish line" and that he would "give [his fans] all the styles that have defined [him] in one single album," which he referred to as "his best production".[18] The announcement was made on the 27th anniversary of Daddy Yankee's and his wife Mireddys Gonzalez's marriage; the latter posted that "[he] had enjoyed Daddy Yankee for a long time, but now is Raymond Ayala's turn to enjoy what he has built."[20] The album's track list was posted on March 22, 2022, while the guest features were revealed a few hours before the release.[21][22][23]

Daddy Yankee decided to retire in 2020 while working on the album during the COVID-19 pandemic and after realizing that he was "feeling good, pleased and accomplished" and that he had to "give himself the opportunity to enjoy everything he had achieved" after working non-stop for 32 years.[24][25] He always wanted to retire young and felt that the time had come to "look for something beyond the industry" and to be a "normal person".[24][26] He decided to feature a track list consisting entirely of new songs, without including previously released singles from past years, stating that "it would make an impression because it's something that isn't done anymore."[24] He said that he will have music as a hobby, like he used to when young, and that he did not have plans about what to do after his retirement.[26][27]

Composition

"Rumbatón"

Excerpt of the album's lead single, "Rumbatón", a "bachata-infused reggaeton" track reminiscent of his own "Lo Que Pasó, Pasó" (2004) and the genre's tropical fusions of the 2000s, an era that he wanted to revive.

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"Agua"

"Agua", a 1980s-inspired song featuring vocals by Rauw Alejandro and funk guitar riffs by Nile Rodgers. It was particularly praised by critics as refreshing, surprising and exciting, as well as for taking Daddy Yankee "out of his comfort zone". It was nominated for a Latin Grammy Award for Song of the Year.

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Daddy Yankee described the album's themes as "fight, party, war and romance," while The New York Times also added "self-mythologizing".[28][29][30] Primarily a reggaeton record, both old-school and contemporary, Legendaddy also incorporates trap and elements of salsa, bachata, cumbia, dembow and electronic dance music.[14][31][32][33][34] Daddy Yankee co-wrote all lyrics with each track's respective guest features and producers.[35] Puerto Rican urban acts Pusho and Justin Quiles co-wrote four and two songs, respectively.[35] The 48-second intro is voiced by American ring announcer Michael Buffer, who presents Daddy Yankee as a "heavyweight champion with an undefeated record of 32 years".[36] It is followed by "Campeón", an "electro-tinted reggaeton" track in which the rapper summarizes his trajectory, describes himself as a legend and expresses that he can retire as an unbeaten champion.[31][33][37] He wrote it thinking about his childhood in poverty and the children that now are in the same situation he lived through.[24] He wanted listeners to "identify with him because every human being has a champion inside and the time will come in which they will be able to get it out."[24]

"Remix" is a reggaeton song about exalting the attributes of women with breast and butt implants—an allegory to remix versions being better than the originals—and includes a sample of the chorus from his single "Impacto" (2007).[30][33][38] "Pasatiempo" features Puerto Rican rapper Myke Towers and blends reggaeton with a repeating sample of the melody of Swedish producer StoneBridge's remix version of the house single "Show Me Love" (1992) by American singer Robin S., with lyrics about casual sex and a woman who wants to have fun at a nightclub and "take out the beast" she has inside.[32][39] The following track, "Rumbatón", referred to by Daddy Yankee as the album's flagship,[40] is a "bachata-infused reggaeton" reminiscent of his single "Lo Que Pasó, Pasó" (2004), with Puerto Rican producer Eliel on piano and American musician and former member of Aventura Lenny Santos on guitar.[32][35][41] The song takes its chorus from "Báilame" (2006), written by Puerto Rican lyricist and rapper Wise and performed by compatriot duo Trébol Clan.[35][37][42][40] Daddy Yankee had never heard "Báilame" until it was shown to him by Dominican producer Luny and decided to use the chorus in order to reminisce and give the song a retro sound.[43][44]

"X Última Vez" features Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny and is a "sad and nostalgic" song that blends "old-school reggaeton beats with edgy urban sounds," with lyrics about "wanting to rekindle old flames" one last time and "finally saying goodbye to a relationship."[14][33][32][45] The title has a double meaning by also referring to the last time they will collaborate.[24] Bad Bunny references Daddy Yankee's "Donde Hubo Fuego" (2004) by interpolating its chorus during his verse.[14] "Para Siempre" is a "romantic mid-tempo reggaeton" that features Panamanian singer Sech, who provides "R&B vibes," and is about a marriage proposal and finding the "right partner".[14][31][46][47] Daddy Yankee identifies a lot with the track because of his relationship with his wife, to whom he dedicated lines about being together since poverty and the value of her companionship.[46][47][48] In "Uno Quitao' y Otro Puesto", he boasts about his career, rapping about his beginnings, his "rise to the top," his invincibility against time and the "zero intimidation" he feels from his enemies.[30][49] The song uses an "old-school" reggaeton beat, a "heavy bass" and gunshot sounds.[30][50][49]

"Truquito" is a 26-second skit featuring a 1993 recording from late American salsa singer Frankie Ruiz that serves as a prelude to the following track, "El Abusador del Abusador", an uplifting reggaeton and salsa fusion with lyrics about being humble while also knowing one's worth.[14][51] "Enchuletiao'" is a trap song in which he talks about "his unrivaled eminence in the genre".[30][50][37] The next song, "Agua", is a "1980s-inspired dance" track that features vocals by Puerto Rican singer Rauw Alejandro and electric guitar funk riffs by American guitarist and producer Nile Rodgers.[14] "Zona del Perreo" is a contemporary reggaeton song that features Dominican singer Natti Natasha and American singer Becky G.[32][50] "Hot" features Cuban-American rapper Pitbull and is an "EDM fusion" that uses the beat from "Trompeta y Guaracha" (2019) by Mexican disc jockey DJ Morphius and American production duo Muzik Junkies.[1][30][35] "La Ola" is an "old-school infectious perreo" with flirtatious and repetitive lyrics about joining a party.[14] "Bombón" is a dembow track that features Dominican rapper El Alfa and American crunk act Lil Jon.[32][33] "El Rey de lo Imperfecto" is a romantic "urban-infused cumbia song" about an imperfect man "promising to unconditionally love a person through her own insecurities and drama."[14][33] It is followed by "Impares", a heartbreak song with a "heavy reggaeton beat" about an incompatible couple.[33] The album closes with "Bloke", a reggaeton track that is heavily inspired by Daddy Yankee's 1990s songs and ends with him bidding farewell to his fans.[33]

Production

Daddy Yankee co-produced and programmed all tracks;[35] some of his work include the beat of "Remix", the melodies of "Uno Quitao' y Otro Puesto" and "Campeón", as well as the drumline of the latter, and the synthesized trumpets and bass of "El Abusador del Abusador".[52][53] American production duo Play-N-Skillz, producers of Daddy Yankee's "Con Calma" (2019), worked on six tracks, including the singles "Agua", "Hot", "Bombón" and "Pasatiempo".[35][54] They felt "grateful" for being "part of [his] last footprint in music" and referred to the album as "one of [their] favorite projects" they have ever worked on.[55][56] Puerto Rican El Cartel Records' producers JBD, OMB and Nekxum produced eight, seven and five tracks, respectively.[35]

Mexican producer Scott Summers worked on four songs, while Panamanian producer Dímelo Flow and Colombian group ChocQuibTown member Slow Mike produced three together, including the single "Para Siempre".[35][57][58] Dominican producer and longtime collaborator Luny—one half of production duo Luny Tunes, who worked on Daddy Yankee's breakthrough album Barrio Fino (2004) and its single "Gasolina"―produced two tracks, including "Rumbatón".[35][32][59] Puerto Rican producer and Grammy Record of the Year-nominee Tainy produced the single "X Última Vez";[60][61][62] he thanked Daddy Yankee for inspiring him and wrote that "being in [his] last album is incredible for a kid who grew up listening to [him]."[41][63]

Other producers include Puerto Ricans Chris Jeday and Gaby Music on "Zona del Perreo" and Wiso Rivera on "El Abusador del Abusador", Dominican Blu Rey on "Bloke", Puerto Rican Alex Killer, American G.O.K.B. and Colombian Maki Váez on "Enchuletiao'", and Panamanian BK on "La Ola" and "Para Siempre"; the latter was also co-produced by compatriot Jhon El Diver.[35][57][58][64] Mexican disc jockey DJ Morphius and American production duo Muzik Junkies received credit for the use of their song "Trompeta y Guaracha" (2019) on "Hot".[1][35] All producers were also credited as programmers and songwriters.[35] Gaby Music, who produced several singles for Daddy Yankee and was one of the recording engineers of "Despacito" (2017), posted that it was a "privilege to have worked with one of the artists that motivated [him] to make music."[65][66]

The album was recorded by OMB, Dímelo Flow, Gaby Music, Luny, Play-N-Skillz, Puerto Rican producer La Paciencia, American-Nigerian producer Emmanuel "Eman" Anene and American audio engineer Kellie McGrew.[35] It was mixed by OMB, Luny, Play-N-Skillz, Blu Rey, Tainy and American audio engineers Vinny DeLeón and Latin Grammy Record of the Year-winner Luis Barrera Jr.; the latter also provided immersive mixing for nine tracks.[35][67] It was mastered by American engineer Michael Fuller at Fullersound in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.[35][68]

Album cover

The cover art was designed by Puerto Rican graphic design company Altoons Design, with creative direction by Alexis Hernández, who works for Daddy Yankee and his manager Raphy Pina's label Pina Records since 2015.[69][70] It depicts the head of a mature, aged, wounded and bloodstained goat with golden horns, which has been interpreted as Daddy Yankee's experience and his "royalty, wealth, or high social status," as well as a "resistance symbol".[71][72][73] The term "GOAT" is also an acronym for the expression "Greatest of All Time", which is frequently used by him.[32][74][75] He conceived "Legendaddy"—a combination of "legend" and "Daddy"—after noticing production company Legendary Entertainment's name while watching a film.[75] He wanted to use "Legendaddy" as the name of his own museum, which opened temporarily in Puerto Rico in 2019,[76] because it has the same pronunciation as "legendary" in English, but Raphy Pina convinced him to use it as the album's title instead.[75][77][78][79]

Release

Legendaddy was released digitally on March 24, 2022 and physically on September 26, 2022 through Daddy Yankee's own label El Cartel Records and Universal Music Group's Republic Records.[80][81][82] In the United States, the record debuted at number eight on the Billboard 200 in the week ending April 9, 2022 with 29,000 album-equivalent units, calculated from 38.49 million on-demand streams and 2,000 pure sales.[83] It was the highest-peaking, largest-debuting and first top 10 Latin album on the chart since Bad Bunny's El Último Tour del Mundo on the issue dated December 12, 2020.[83] It is Daddy Yankee's highest-charting album in the country and his second top 10 after El Cartel: The Big Boss (2007),[83][84][85] although it left the chart after six weeks, becoming his fifth longest-running entry on the Billboard 200.[85] It also became his seventh number one on the US Top Latin Albums chart, where it spent one week at the top position and 28 in total.[86][87] It subsequently received a Latin platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for units of over 60,000 sales plus equivalent units, the mid-year's highest for a Latin album released within the first half of 2022.[88][89]

In Spain, Legendaddy debuted and peaked at number two on the issue dated March 31, 2022 and charted for 28 total weeks, becoming his highest-peaking and longest-running album in the country.[90][91] Writing for Spanish music website Jenesaispop, Sebas Alonso opined that its debut chart placement in Spain was affected by its lack of a physical release.[92] It became his highest-ranking record in Switzerland as well after debuting at number 17 in the week ending April 3, 2022, although it only spent two weeks on the chart, lower than Barrio Fino's 22.[93] It also reached number 77 in Italy and 78 in Canada, becoming his first album to enter the latter list, and charted for one week in both countries on the issues dated March 31 and April 9, 2022, respectively.[94][95] Its songs have amassed a total of over one billion worldwide streams as of July 12, 2022.[96]

Singles

"Rumbatón", referred to by Daddy Yankee as "the album's flagship",[40] was released as a single simultaneously with Legendaddy on March 24, 2022.[97][98][99] It was accompanied by a music video directed by Dominican filmmaker Marlon Peña, which depicts a newlywed couple that end up joining a street party in Cabo Rojo and features cameos by Luny, DJ Joe and Trebol Clan member Periquito.[42][100] It peaked at number 82 on the Billboard Global 200[101] and number one in Puerto Rico for one week[102] and reached the top five in El Salvador,[103] Honduras[104] and Uruguay[105] and the top 10 in Chile,[106] Ecuador[107] and Peru.[108] It is the album's highest-peaking song in Spain, reaching number 11 and eventually receiving a platinum certification for units of over 60,000 track-equivalent streams.[109][110][111]

"Remix" was also released as a single on March 24, 2022 alongside a music video directed by Venezuelan director Daniel Durán.[99][112][113] It peaked at number 147 on the Billboard Global 200[101] and number one in Puerto Rico and Monitor Latino's Mexico for four and two weeks, respectively,[114][115] as well as the top five in Honduras.[116] In the United States, it reached number one on the Billboard Latin Airplay,[117] ranked within the top 20 on its Hot Latin Songs and Bubbling Under Hot 100 charts[118][119] and received a Latin platinum certification for units of over 60,000 track-equivalent streams.[120]

"Agua" was released as a single alongside the album as well, with a music video directed by Marlon Peña.[121] It peaked at number 189 on the Billboard Global Excl. US chart[122] and reached the top 20 in Panama[123] and the top 30 on the US Hot Latin Songs.[118] The single "Bombón" was accompanied by a music video directed by Daniel Durán, which also premiered with Legendaddy's release.[44][113] It became a TikTok trend[124][125] and reached the top five in Nicaragua,[126] the top 10 in El Salvador[127] and the top 20 in the Dominican Republic and Honduras.[128][129] "Hot" was also concurrently released as a single, with a music video directed by Durán.[113][130] It reached the top 20 in Honduras,[131] the top 25 on the US Hot Latin Songs[118] and the top 40 on the US Rhythmic chart.[132]

"X Última Vez" was released as the sixth single on April 6, 2022 through a music video shot in New York City and directed by Mexican director Fernando Lugo, which depicts futuristic and dystopian visuals and a "video game-like setting."[45] It peaked at number 23 on the Billboard Global 200[101] and reached the top five in Bolivia,[133] Chile,[106] the Dominican Republic,[134] Honduras[135] and Mexico[136] and the top 10 in Colombia,[137] Costa Rica,[138] Ecuador,[139] Peru[108] and Puerto Rico.[140] It was the only song from the album to enter the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 73 and later receiving a triple Latin platinum certification for units of over 180,000 track-equivalent streams.[120][141] It was certified gold in Spain, where it reached the top 20, for units of over 30,000 track-equivalent streams.[142]

"Para Siempre" was released as the album's seventh single on June 2, 2022 with a music video by Colombian-based director Juan "Jasz" Suárez.[143][144] Filmed in Colombia and the Puerto Rican municipality of San Germán, it premiered exclusively on Facebook and depicts a marriage proposal.[143] It ranked within the top 20 in Chile,[106] the top 25 on the US Hot Latin Songs chart[118] and the top 40 in Spain.[110] The eighth single, "Pasatiempo", was released on July 28, 2022 through a music video directed by Miami-based director José Sagaró,[145] which incorporates "vintage elements" and a "black and white minimalistic setting".[146][147][148] It reached the top 20 in Chile[106] and El Salvador[149] and the top 30 in Spain and the US Hot Latin Songs chart.[110][118]

Other songs

Four other music videos premiered simultaneously with the album's release:[23] "La Ola", directed by Marlon Peña;[150] "Zona del Perreo" and "El Abusador del Abusador", both directed by Fernando Lugo; and "Impares", directed by Venezuelan director Nuno Gomes.[113][151] To avoid the songs being leaked online during the filming of the music videos, dancers used in-ear monitors to listen to the tracks while the public and extras listened to a generic reggaeton drum pattern through speakers.[152] 12 of the album's tracks debuted concurrently on the US Hot Latin Songs chart, including "Zona del Perreo", "Uno Quitao' y Otro Puesto" and "Campeón" in the top 40 and "El Abusador del Abusador" in the top 50.[87][118] In Spain, "Zona del Perreo" peaked within the top 80 and "Campeón", "El Abusador del Abusador" and "Uno Quitao' y Otro Puesto" within the top 100.[110] Additionally, "El Rey de lo Imperfecto" reached the top 20 in El Salvador.[153]

Tour

La Última Vuelta World Tour is Daddy Yankee's final concert tour.[154][155] Comprising 90 shows, it began in Torremolinos, Spain on July 16, 2022[lower-alpha 3] and is scheduled to end on January 8, 2023 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.[53][156][161][162] The January 6, 2023 show in Puerto Rico will commemorate 30 years of a shooting incident occurred on January 6, 1993, which frustrated his dream of becoming a professional baseball player but allowed him to focus entirely on his music career.[163][164] The last three dates will be held at the Hiram Bithorn Stadium, ballpark of baseball team Cangrejeros de Santurce, of which Daddy Yankee is co-owner, shareholder and vice president of operations.[165][166][167] His scheduled five concerts at the Foro Sol in Mexico from November 29 to December 4, 2022 matched Mexican band Grupo Firme's record for the most consecutive shows at the venue.[168][169] Chilean concert production company Bizarro Live Entertainment reported that he became the first artist to sell out three shows in a single day at the Estadio Nacional Julio Martínez Prádanos in Chile after doing so in five hours.[170][171]

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[34]
Jenesaispop	[37]
Mondo Sonoro	6/10[172]
Rolling Stone	[31]

Rolling Stone's Gary Suárez gave Legendaddy a 4 out of 5, stating that it is Daddy Yankee's best album since Barrio Fino due to its "tacit rejection of nostalgia" and "forward-looking approach" through contemporary tracks—like "La Ola" and "Enchuletiao"—and the choice of a "younger crop of identifiable" vocal collaborators.[31] Regarding the guest features, he referred to "Pasatiempo" as a "thumping collab" and "X Última Vez" as a "storming standout".[31] However, Suárez also wrote that the record "has its flaws, largely reflecting [Daddy Yankee's] history of making iffy decisions that lead to uneven albums."[31] He criticized the tracks "Bombón" for being "cringeworthy" because of Lil Jon's "ancient ad-libs" and "Hot", which he described as a "challenging listen".[31] Despite that, Suárez stated that Legendaddy is a "blaze of glory" for Daddy Yankee's retirement, "a Latin icon ending things on his own terms."[31]

Isabelia Herrera of The New York Times wrote that Legendaddy "honors all the styles of [Daddy Yankee's] trajectory," highlighting his flexibility, which "enabled him to survive as a senior figure in a young artist's game".[30] She also stated that "the most dynamic moments come when [he] reaches for the magic of the past," praising the tracks "Uno Quitao' y Otro Puesto" as a "corrosively effective blast of late-career posturing" and "Enchuletiao'" as a "reminder of his technical skills," adding that he "hasn't sounded this electric, this deliciously abrasive in years."[30] Hererra also praised "Rumbatón" and "El Abusador del Abusador" as "nostalgic callbacks to the salsa-reggaeton fusions of the mid-2000s", "Remix" and "Bloke" as "classic reggaeton romps" and "Agua" as a "refreshing moment of adventure".[30] On the other hand, she found a "good portion of the songs" to follow "prosaic, predictable pop formats," describing "Para Siempre" as a "bland, mid-tempo popeton ballad," "La Ola" and "Zona del Perreo" as sounding like "they were engineered for Spotify's 'Viva Latino' playlist" and "Bombón" and "Hot" as "egregious missteps".[30]

Billboard's Latin editors described the album as a "blend of pure reggaeton, heavy trap and experimental tracks, all while staying true to his essence".[14] The staff chose "X Última Vez", "Zona del Perreo", "Para Siempre", "El Abusador del Abusador", "Campeón", "La Ola", "El Rey de lo Imperfecto" and "Agua" as the record's essential songs, referring to the latter as "one of the most surprising tracks on Legendaddy" for "taking Daddy Yankee completely out of his comfort zone."[14] Writing for the Grammy Awards website, Isabela Raygoza commended it as a "riveting record [...] that encapsulates his dynamic and linguistic prowess," with "plenty of moments [...] where [his] creative brilliance shines through."[174] The Recording Academy included "Agua", "X Última Vez", "Bombón" and "Rumbatón" on their "Essential Guide to Daddy Yankee" list, part of their Songbook editorial series.[174]

Lucas Villa of Spin praised it as an "impressive amalgamation of reggaetón's legacy" and an "epic send-off of an album".[32] He highlighted "Pasatiempo" as a "dancefloor delight" and a "seamless and magical collision of two very different musical worlds" between its reggaeton beat and the sample of the house single "Show Me Love" by Robin S., as well as "Rumbatón" for its "colorful celebration of Daddy Yankee's roots in the genre" and "Agua", which he referred to as an "irresistible pop-infused romp" and one of the record's "most exciting moments".[32] Villa ended his review by stating that "Daddy Yankee lives up to the G.O.A.T. status depicted on Legendaddy's cover art one last time."[32] An editor of Argentine news website Filo News described it as a "succession of hits" and commended "Uno Quitao' y Otro Puesto" as the track that stands out over the rest because of its lyrics.[175]

Writing for Puerto Rican newspaper El Nuevo Día, Sugeiny Tirado described Legendaddy as a record "for everyone who listens to reggaeton" because "without Daddy Yankee the industry would have been completely different."[33] Tirado also wrote that it is "full of catchy choruses" but at the same time "leaves a bittersweet feel" because of the rapper's retirement.[33] Remezcla's Jeanette Hernandez stated that it was executed "in a way that, from beginning to end, makes you feel like you're living through his whole legacy," and selected the tracks "Bombón", "Rumbatón", "Agua", "Hot", "Para Siempre" and "X Última Vez" as its highlights.[41] Thom Jurek of AllMusic gave the album a 3.5 out of 5, referring to the collaborations as "noteworthy" and the incorporation of trap, tropical music and EDM as skilful.[34] Jurek picked "Campeón", "X Última Vez", "Para Siempre", "Agua", "Zona del Perreo" and "La Ola" as its highlights.[34]

Jordi Bardají of Jenesaispop gave Legendaddy a 4 out of 5, stating that, despite not progressing reggaeton musically nor "[being nice] to the snooty criticism that never supported him," the album does "provide a handful of hits".[37][50] Bardají selected "Rumbatón", "Pasatiempo", "Zona del Perreo", "Agua", "Remix" and "El Rey de lo Imperfecto" as its best tracks and criticized the intro for sounding "fake" and "La Ola", "Impares" and "Hot" for considering them "expendable".[37][50] Luis Maínez of Spanish magazine Mondo Sonoro rated the album with a 6 out of 10, writing that it lacks the "epic moments" like the ones that helped to improve his career.[172] He approved the collaborations, despite of "not standing out," but criticized the guest features for "falling short of the opportunity they were given."[172] Maínez ended his review by stating: "We say goodbye to Daddy Yankee hand on heart while paying for a glass at the bar because one of his songs is about to play at the best moment of the night, a song that, surely, won't belong to Legendaddy."[172]

Marcelo Contreras of Chilean newspaper La Tercera wrote that the record "works flawlessly as a self tribute" and found Daddy Yankee to be at his "100%, haughty without fanfare, fast, energetic [and] intoxicating."[176] Cruz Bonlarron Martínez of American media outlet Latino Rebels noticed the absence of guest features like Don Omar, Puerto Rican duo Wisin & Yandel and American singer Nicky Jam, despite Legendaddy being a farewell album, but understood that its collaborators "give [it] a more contemporary sound, placing it closer to the new wave reggaeton".[177] Bonlarron Martínez also wrote that the record "is an interesting way for [Daddy Yankee] to close out his career" and that it "remains to be seen if [it] will cement his legacy as a symbol of cultural nationalism" and if its songs will "have the long-lasting impact of his earlier work."[177]

Accolades

Legendaddy was included on Rolling Stone's unranked "Best Albums of 2022 So Far" list.[178] "Agua" was nominated for a Latin Grammy Award for Song of the Year at the 23rd Latin Grammy Awards, while Legendaddy became Daddy Yankee's first album since Barrio Fino to not receive a nomination by the Latin Recording Academy.[179] At the 3rd Premios Tu Música Urbano, Legendaddy and "X Última Vez" received the Album of the Year – Male Artist and Top Song – Pop Urban awards, respectively, while "Agua" was nominated for Video of the Year.[180] At the 19th Premios Juventud, Legendaddy and "Bombón" were nominated for Album of the Year and Best Social Dance Challenge, respectively.[181] At the 17th LOS40 Music Awards, the record and "Rumbatón" received nominations for Global Latin – Best Album and Global Latin – Best Video, respectively.[182]

Track listing

Sample credits

• ^{^[a]} "Pasatiempo" contains a sample from StoneBridge's remix version of "Show Me Love", written and produced by Allen George and Fred McFarlane, and performed by Robin S.[31]
• ^{^[b]} "Rumbatón" covers the chorus from "Báilame", written by Wise, produced by DJ Joe, and performed by Trébol Clan.[183]
• ^{^[c]} "Hot" samples the beat from "Trompeta y Guaracha", produced by DJ Morphius and Muzik Junkies.[1][184]
• ^{^[d]} "Bombón" interpolates the chorus from "Macarena", written, produced and performed by Los del Río.
• ^{^[e]} "Bloke" contains a sample from "Hot This Year", produced by Philip Smart and performed by Dirtsman.[35][185]

Personnel

Credits adapted from Tidal[35] and the album's liner notes.[186]

Charts

Certifications

Certifications for Legendaddy

Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[88]	Platinum (Latin)	60,000
Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Notes

References

На других языках

[es] Legendaddy