Bad Bunny Honors Willie Colón During São Paulo Concert Following Salsa Legend’s Death

Bad Bunny paused his performance in São Paulo, Brazil, on Saturday, February 21, 2026, to pay tribute to salsa icon Willie Colón, who passed away at the age of 75. The tribute occurred during the second night of his “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” world tour at Allianz Parque.

A Moment of Remembrance

According to Billboard, Bad Bunny addressed the crowd, acknowledging Colón’s significant contribution to Latin music. “Today, one of the legends who contributed to this beautiful and legendary genre passed away,” he said in Spanish. He extended his condolences to Colón’s family and emphasized the enduring legacy of salsa and Caribbean rhythms.

Colón’s Impact and Bad Bunny’s Connection

Willie Colón’s manager, Pietro Carlos, stated that Colón “didn’t just change salsa. He expanded it, politicized it, clothed it in urban chronicles and took it to stages where it hadn’t been before,” as reported by Billboard. Bad Bunny’s connection to Colón is also reflected in his music. he name-checks the salsa legend in his song “NUEVAYoL” from the album “Debí Tirar Más Fotos,” rapping “Willie Colón, me dicen ‘el malo,’” as noted by Rolling Stone.

A Complex Relationship

While Bad Bunny publicly honored Colón, their relationship wasn’t always straightforward. Despite past criticisms from Colón regarding Bad Bunny’s music, the salsa legend publicly recognized Bad Bunny’s contribution to bringing salsa to a wider audience. Colón reportedly stated that Bad Bunny’s influence was “something that we all needed, the push that it gave to salsa.”

Super Bowl and Continued Success

This tribute follows Bad Bunny’s recent performance at the Super Bowl LX Halftime Show on February 8, 2026, and his ongoing success with the “Debí Tirar Más Fotos” world tour. Yahoo Entertainment highlights that Bad Bunny is currently enjoying a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Bad Bunny will continue his tour in Sydney, Australia, next week.