Enrique Santos, a prominent host and influential figure within the Latino community in the United States, has addressed the backlash following the announcement of a tribute to the late Cuban reggaeton artist El Taiger at the 2024 Fiesta Latina. The event, set to take place this Saturday, October 26, at Miami's Kaseya Center, has sparked controversy on social media due to the sudden organization of the homage.
Santos took to Instagram, posting a video where he directly responded to the negative comments and confusion surrounding the tribute. "Some on social media are confused about what's happening on Saturday, and I want to clear that up," the host stated at the beginning of his message.
He explained that the event has been in the works for over a year and is held annually to "celebrate our music, our culture." In his remarks, Enrique Santos emphasized that after El Taiger's tragic death on October 10, they felt it was fitting to create a space to honor the memory of someone who was "one of the great pioneers of Cuban urban music."
According to Santos, the decision was made with the support of DJ Conds, musicians, producers, and close friends of the artist, all of whom have joined voluntarily to carry out the tribute. "With the generous acceptance of DJ Conds, El Taiger's musicians, his producers, and friends who worked closely with him until his last days, we will hold a tribute this Saturday at the Kaseya Center during Fiesta Latina 2024 to remember the best moments of his musical career," Santos explained. He also highlighted that creating a space for this tribute "hasn't been easy, but it was the right thing to do."
In the heartfelt video, Enrique Santos also addressed the mixed reactions that have emerged amidst the mourning of the reggaeton star, recalling that El Taiger had expressed a wish during his lifetime that he be celebrated after his death.
The host acknowledged the frustration of many fans regarding the legal status of the suspected perpetrator of the artist's death, who remains at large. "That's where we should focus our energy," he emphasized.
Moreover, the broadcaster refuted rumors of alleged payments to the musicians involved in the tribute, assuring that "none of the musicians invited for this Saturday have received any payment. We are not paying any musician, producers, or DJ Conds."
The tribute to El Taiger is poised to be one of the most poignant moments of Fiesta Latina 2024, an event that celebrates and honors the legacy of artists who have left a lasting impact on Cuban and international urban music.