Puerto Rican artist Arte Cardé has paid a heartfelt tribute to El Taiger following his tragic passing on October 10. Cardé created an illustration capturing "the evolution of the tranka," honoring the reggaeton musician's legacy.
Before unveiling his tribute, Cardé shared screenshots of a conversation from last May with El Taiger, who had requested a personalized piece of art. "My king, I want your art to be made for me. Of the Taiger, I am an artist," read one of El Taiger's messages. Cardé expressed his shock and regret in a post, acknowledging his failure to fulfill the request while El Taiger was alive but vowing to honor his memory. "Wow, I can't believe it, now I realize who you were, brother. But don't worry, you wanted art, and you'll see it!" he wrote, reflecting his grief and determination.
In a subsequent post, Cardé revealed the final artwork: a poignant caricature featuring El Taiger in iconic moments of his career, culminating in an image of a tiger embraced by Jesus, holding a Cuban flag. The illustration was accompanied by an emotional message: "The evolution of the Tranka. I'm heartbroken you couldn't see it in life. But here it is, I hope God lets you see it from the other side, bro. Rest in peace, warrior!"
Reactions poured in, expressing affection and respect for El Taiger. "Thank you @arte_carde," commented artist Alex Duval, with a heart emoji. Osmani García added emojis of applause, fire, and broken hearts. Yomil, a close colleague of El Taiger, shared his sorrow: “Rest in peace, Jose, we won't let your legacy die, brother.” Amidst numerous messages, the community's pain and respect for his legacy are evident.
Arte Cardé's tribute has garnered over 11,000 likes, underscoring the deep affection for El Taiger that persists beyond his passing. Fans and artists have flooded social media with tributes and messages of support, keeping his memory alive.