Bad Bunny paid tribute to salsa pioneer Willie Colón following his death at the age of 75. The artist addressed audiences during a concert in São Paulo, describing Colón as one of the figures who helped shape Latin music and offering condolences to his family. He said Colón’s influence would endure through younger generations continuing Caribbean musical traditions.
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Colón was widely regarded as a central figure in the development of salsa, earning acclaim for blending the genre with social commentary and urban narratives. His longtime manager confirmed his death and highlighted the way Colón expanded salsa’s reach and meaning, describing his trombone as a voice for ordinary people. Over several decades, Colón’s work helped bring Latin music to international stages.
Among his most notable recordings were tracks such as Ché Ché Colé and Aguanilé, while his album Siembra, recorded with Rubén Blades, became the best-selling salsa album of all time. Blades said he would reflect further on Colón’s legacy at a later date. Fania Records, which signed Colón as a teenager, described him as a pillar of the label whose music expressed identity, pride and resistance.
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The tributes came shortly after Bad Bunny’s high-profile appearance at the Super Bowl half-time show, where he performed in Spanish and highlighted his cultural roots. The performance featured guest appearances from several artists and actors, underscoring the broad influence of Latin music on global popular culture.
