WASHINGTON — Daddy Yankee is closing the chapter on reggaeton to focus on his religious faith.
The "Gasolina" singer announced his retirement on Sunday in his homeland of Puerto Rico during the final show of his farewell tour. The sold-out event was also live-streamed.
In an emotional speech to his fans, he revealed that he had long been searching for fulfillment in his life but that "someone was able to fill that emptiness I felt."
He shared the farewell speech on Instagram Monday and reiterated his plans to devote himself to his faith.
"This day for me, is the most important day in my life.. tonight I recognize and am not ashamed to tell the whole world that Christ lives in me and that I will live for him," Ayala said in Spanish on Instagram. "This is the end of one chapter and the beginning of a brand new one."
VERSIÓN EN ESPAÑOL: ‘Se acabó una historia’: Daddy Yankee se retira del reguetón para dedicarse a evangelizar
The "Despacito" singer concluded his caption with a bible verse he referenced in his speech: "What good will it be for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?"
The 46-year-old singer revealed that he would leave behind his stage name and enter a new chapter as Ramón Ayala, his birth name.
"All the tools that I have in my power such as music, social networks, platforms, a microphone — everything that Jesus gave me, is now for his kingdom,” Ayala said in his speech Sunday. “Thank you very much, Puerto Rico, and I hope that you walk with me in this new beginning.”
After his final show in San Juan, Puerto Rico, Sunday, several drones lit up the sky in the shape of a cross and later spelled "Christ loves you."
For more than three decades, the "Con Calma" singer has dominated reggaeton. He is often credited as a pioneer in propelling the genre into the mainstream.
His success made him one of the biggest idols in Latin Music and a winner of six Latin Grammy Awards.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
