Willie Colón’s Legacy Honored by Bad Bunny and Latin Music Community

The Latin music world is mourning the loss of Willie Colón, a legendary salsa musician and innovator, who passed away on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at the age of 75. Bad Bunny paused his performance in São Paulo, Brazil, to pay tribute to Colón, joining a chorus of artists recognizing his profound impact.

A Pioneer of Salsa

Willie Colón didn’t just change salsa; he expanded it, politicized it, and brought it to new audiences,” said his longtime manager, Pietro Carlos according to Billboard. His trombone became “the voice of the people.” Colón’s career spanned decades, producing iconic hits like “Ché Ché Colé” and “Aguanile” with Héctor Lavoe, the album Celia and Willie alongside Celia Cruz, and Siembra, the best-selling salsa album of all time, recorded with Ruben Blades.

Bad Bunny’s Tribute in São Paulo

During his Debí Tirar Más Fotos World Tour concert at Allianz Parque in São Paulo, Brazil, Bad Bunny paused to acknowledge Colón’s death. “Today, one of the legends who contributed to this beautiful and legendary genre passed away,” Bad Bunny told the crowd as reported by Rolling Stone. He extended his condolences to Colón’s family and emphasized the enduring inspiration Colón provided to younger generations of musicians.

Bad Bunny also referenced Colón in his song “NUEVAYoL” from his album Debí Tirar Más Fotos, rapping, “Willie Colón, me dicen ‘el malo’” (“Willie Colón, they call me the bad one”), a nod to Colón’s 1967 debut album, El Malo .

Outpouring of Grief from Latin Music Icons

Ruben Blades, who formed a legendary musical partnership with Colón, shared heartfelt condolences to Colón’s wife and family, promising a more detailed tribute to come. Rauw Alejandro also expressed his gratitude, stating that Colón’s function inspired his own album, Cosa Nuestra, which shares a title with one of Colón’s albums .

Fania Records’ Statement

Fania Records, the label that signed Colón at age 15, released a statement expressing their heartbreak at the loss of an icon whose sound “transcended the dance floor and defined an era.” The label highlighted Colón’s role in bringing Latin music to a global audience, emphasizing that his music represented identity, pride, resistance, and joy .

Bad Bunny Continues Tour

Following the two-night performance in São Paulo, Bad Bunny is scheduled to continue his Debí Tirar Más Fotos World Tour with a stop in Sydney, Australia .