Osmani García has stirred emotions with a heartfelt message on his Instagram following the tragic passing of his friend and fellow musician, El Taiger. Accompanying a video of a performance of "Tírame la música" with Los Desiguales, Osmani expressed, "El Taiger never died; his life was stolen #justiceforjosemanueleltaiger."
In his touching tribute, the singer vowed to forever remember his friend as "young, singing alongside me with the dream of life shining in his eyes before thousands and thousands." He wrote, "I promise to always remember you this way, young and singing with me, with the dream of life realized in your eyes, in front of thousands who raised their hands in love to the Light of joy, united only by the love for music and sound, which is how you should have lived your entire life if not for the Cuban dictatorship… that fractured the existence of all souls born there."
The Call for Justice
Osmani's sorrow and anger culminated in a clear demand for "justice for José Manuel Carbajal, we hope they finally catch the culprit in or outside the USA." He further warned about the danger posed by the perpetrator still at large: "All of Florida is on high alert and in danger with the culprit loose on the streets... who approaches you and pretends to be a friend."
"You conquered eternity, José, as long as humanity exists, the music of El Taiger will live on," Osmani concluded in his farewell message, affirming that his friend's legacy will endure. In his stories, the 'Chiquitio de Cuba' reiterated his call for justice, expressing frustration that "the killer is still loose, unbelievable."
Community's Outpouring of Support
Fans and friends of El Taiger have joined in the demand for justice, as seen in the comments on Osmani's post: "Men do cry too"; "So many memories flood back when I hear these hits, we will miss his music"; and "He didn't deserve this end, let the guilty pay." Meanwhile, police continue to search for Damián Valdez-Galloso, known as "El Narra," as a "person of interest" in the case.
The tragic death of El Taiger, who was pronounced dead this Thursday at Miami's Jackson Memorial Hospital, has sparked a wave of reactions. The grief over his loss is palpable, not only among his close friends and colleagues but also among his hundreds of thousands of fans who grew up listening to his hits.
An Irreplaceable Legacy
Throughout his career, El Taiger established himself as one of the most influential figures in Cuban reggaeton, collaborating with major names in urban music and creating anthems that defined a generation. His authenticity, talent, and ability to connect with audiences made him an icon of Cuban urban music. Now, while his legacy will continue through his songs, his absence leaves a void that many are struggling to come to terms with.