On April 12, 2025, urban music duo Charly and Johayron delivered a remarkable performance at Miami's Watsco Center, drawing in thousands of enthusiastic fans and earning widespread acclaim. The concert's energy soared with special appearances by well-known artists such as Lenny Tavárez, Lenier Mesa, and Divan, making it an unforgettable event.
Yet, the most talked-about and controversial moment of the evening was the digital appearance of reggaeton star El Taiger, who had passed away months earlier. Through the use of hyper-realistic artificial intelligence technology, a digital projection of the artist was brought to the stage, performing tracks he had recorded with Charly and Johayron. This emotional tribute stirred the audience and sparked a wave of reactions on social media.
The lifelike images of El Taiger evoked a powerful emotional response from the crowd. Many were moved to tears by the sight of him "present" on stage, while social media was flooded with heartfelt tributes: "I'm speechless, it's like he's alive, we miss you, José," "That was beautiful, yet painful to see," and "Forever in our hearts, Taiger, you'll never be forgotten."
Despite the audience's emotional applause, not everyone viewed the tribute favorably. Following the event, the attorney representing one of El Taiger's children's mothers publicly claimed that the organizers lacked permission to use the artist's likeness in a digital recreation. She stated that the family had explicitly requested not to use his image and is considering legal action over potential rights violations.
"We believe this constitutes a violation of José Manuel's intellectual rights, his image. This could have been a meaningful moment for his children if they had been considered," the legal representative remarked. "We will pursue legal action and seek all necessary measures. They must respect his memory, his artistic work, his image, his family, and his children."
This incident has ignited a debate among the artist's fans, with some supporting the tribute and others siding with the family, asserting their right to control the reggaeton artist's legacy. The controversy has reopened discussions about the ethical and legal boundaries of using artificial intelligence to recreate deceased figures. While some fans applaud the homage as a way to keep his legacy alive, others empathize with the family, advocating for their right to manage the artist's memory and representation.
Meanwhile, messages of admiration and sorrow continue to flood social media: "Thank you to everyone who keeps his memory alive," "José, we miss you dearly," and "Justice for El Taiger."
AI and Ethical Considerations in Tribute Concerts
What technology was used to bring El Taiger to life at the concert?
The concert used hyper-realistic artificial intelligence technology to create a digital projection of El Taiger, allowing the late artist to appear on stage.
Why is El Taiger's family considering legal action?
The family is considering legal action because they claim the organizers did not have permission to use El Taiger's image, which they see as a violation of his rights.
How did fans react to the digital tribute to El Taiger?
Fans had mixed reactions; many were emotionally moved and applauded the tribute, while others supported the family's objections to the unauthorized use of his image.