In a heartfelt display of mourning, hundreds of fans of Cuban reggaeton artist José Manuel Carvajal, better known as El Taiger, gathered outside Miami's Jackson Memorial Hospital starting Thursday. This spontaneous gathering followed the confirmation of the musician's tragic death.
The chosen location holds poignant significance—it's near the hospital's emergency entrance, the spot where the artist was found on October 4 with a gunshot wound to the head, slumped in the back of a truck. Here, fans constructed a makeshift altar to honor him. The memorial featured a square encircled by countless candles, with a central image of El Taiger beside a Cuban flag fluttering on a makeshift pole.
Beneath this tribute, images of San Lázaro, a revered miraculous saint in Cuban culture, were surrounded by dozens of teddy bears, providing comfort to the admirers of "Big Tai." Many also brought flowers, while cars playing El Taiger's music repeatedly drove by, fulfilling the family's wish to have the Cuban reggaeton icon remembered through his songs.
Calls for Justice Amid Grief
Fans of all ages, united in their grief, are now demanding justice for the 37-year-old artist, who passed away after a week in critical condition due to the gunshot wound that damaged part of his brain. Despite swift medical intervention and intensive care efforts, El Taiger succumbed to his injuries.
His family expressed profound gratitude to the medical team for their dedication and urged followers to commemorate the joy he brought to countless lives. They also announced plans for a memorial service to allow fans to bid farewell to "Big Tai," affectionately called "La Tranka de mi país," a nickname he cherished.