During his concert at Estadio GNP Seguros in Mexico City, Bad Bunny paused the show to pay an emotional tribute to Rafael Ithier and Papo Rosario, key figures of El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, who recently passed away. The artist dedicated words to their families and highlighted their legacy in salsa and Puerto Rican musical identity. The homage featured a performance of 'NUEVAYoL', which samples a classic by the orchestra.
Bad Bunny, during his Debí Tirar Más Fotos World Tour, demonstrated his commitment to Puerto Rican musical culture at his recent show in Mexico City's Estadio GNP Seguros. The singer halted the concert to honor two legends from El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico: Rafael Ithier, the founder and musical director born in 1926 and who died in 2025, and Luis Antonio 'Papo' Rosario, a singer and backing vocalist who was part of the group for 38 years until his passing in 2025.
Founded in 1962, El Gran Combo is renowned as the 'University of Salsa' and has served as a cultural ambassador for Puerto Rico for decades, with a sound that shaped generations. Ithier, a visionary pianist, crafted impeccable arrangements that modernized the genre, while Rosario brought charisma through choreography and iconic tracks like 'Carbonerito' and 'Regresa ya'.
Addressing the audience, Bad Bunny explained the personal impact of these musicians' deaths and dedicated the moment to their families, emphasizing how their legacy transcends borders. The tribute peaked with a performance of 'NUEVAYoL' from the album Un Verano Sin Ti, which opens with a sample from El Gran Combo's 'Un verano en Nueva York'. This gesture acknowledging salsa heritage created one of the tour's most emotional nights, linking the artist to his roots on an international stage.
