Two of the biggest rivals in reggaeton have officially buried the hatchet. In a heartfelt Instagram post on Tuesday, Don Omar announced the end of his long-standing feud with his enduring rival, Daddy Yankee, revealing that their reconciliation followed a heartfelt conversation.
“Today, we close the book that held the best chapters of our controversial rivalry. Thank you for your words and for listening to mine, which also came from the heart,” expressed Omar in Spanish. “I wish you and your family the best. Thank you for your competitive spirit and admirable discipline, but even more so, thank you for what you did for our music.”
Expressing gratitude for their collaborations and competition, Omar acknowledged the impact of competing with a titan like Daddy Yankee. Despite past differences, he fondly recalled the good memories, shared dreams, and laughter, expressing a desire for one last round against such a formidable opponent. Omar concluded his note with a tribute, saying, “Long live King Daddy.”
Yankee, 46, also made his own white flag post on Instagram to his 49 million followers with an image of Omar saying in Spanish, “I feel calm and at peace, knowing that today we leave behind the controversies between two exponents that put our Puerto Rico flag high.”
He also quoted a Ephesians 4:32, “Instead, be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, even as God in Christ forgave you.”
This is not the first time the two are making up after a period of fighting but this reconciliation follows Daddy Yankee’s final performance at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico, where he announced his retirement from Reggaeton music to devote his life to Christianity. The feud between Yankee and Omar had spanned back to reggaeton’s heyday in the 2000s, with the roots of the rivalry speculated to involve behind-the-scenes issues and egos.
Despite the ups and downs, the two collaborated multiple times over the years, contributing to reggaeton classics and even had a Verzuz style performance DaddyYankee vs Don Omar sponsored by AT&T in San Juan Puerto Rico in 2015.
However, their issues resurfaced last year when Omar accused Yankee’s close friend and manager, Raphy Pina, of sabotaging his part of a show.
Pina was sentenced to 3 years and five months in prison and ordered to pay a $150,000 fine for illegal possession of firearms in Puerto Rico last year May. The federal judge, Francisco A. Besosa, denied bail pending appeal, and Pina is required to surrender voluntarily to the U.S. Marshalls. Serving his sentence in Florida, Pina will undergo three years of supervised release after completing his prison term.
Pina, a veteran music executive and founder of Pina Records, was convicted by a jury five months ago for possessing an automatic weapon and firearms despite a previous felony conviction in 2016. Federal prosecutors had sought a 46 to 50-month sentence, emphasizing the potential harm associated with automatic weapons. Pina’s defense had requested probation without prison time, a plea rejected by the court.
Speaking before his sentence, Pina, accompanied by Natasha, his three older children, and Daddy Yankee, expressed the hardship of losing his liberty and appealed to return to his family. Pina was indicted in 2020 for possessing handguns and ammunition, violating restrictions due to his prior conviction. The legal documents detailed the possession of firearms, including a modified Glock pistol, despite his felon status.
While Pina has not yet appealed the conviction, his attorneys hinted at a possible appeal in a March filing, which must be submitted within 14 days of the sentencing.
