Willie Colon’s Death Prompts Live Tribute from Bad Bunny in São Paulo

willie colon, the pioneering salsa musician, died at 75, and the announcement set off an outpouring of tributes across the Latin music world. The news, confirmed by his longtime manager Pietro Carlos on Saturday morning, prompted Bad Bunny to pause his São Paulo concert that same night to address fans and honor Colon’s legacy.

Bad Bunny pauses set at Allianz Parque after news

During the second of two concerts at Allianz Parque on Saturday night, the Puerto Rican superstar interrupted his Debí Tirar Más Fotos world tour performance to acknowledge the death of willie colon. Benito told the crowd that a major legend had passed and offered condolences “on behalf of me and Los Sobrinos, ” asking fans to wish rest and strength for the family. He added that Colón’s inspiration will endure so long as young talent continues to keep salsa and Caribbean rhythms alive. A fan filmed the moment and the clip was later posted on Instagram.

Pietro Carlos confirms death and frames Colón’s influence

Pietro Carlos, Colón’s lifelong manager, confirmed the musician’s death on Saturday morning and described his contribution in sweeping terms: Colón not only changed salsa, he expanded and politicized it, dressed it in urban chronicles and took it to stages it had not previously reached. Carlos said Colón’s trombone was “the voice of the people, ” underscoring the artist’s cultural reach as both musician and commentator.

Recorded collaborations and the commercial impact of Siembra

Colón’s discography includes landmark recordings that were listed among his best-known works: the tracks “Ché Ché Colé” and “Aguanile, ” recorded with Héctor Lavoe; an album made with Celia Cruz titled Celia and Willie; and Siembra, a collaboration with Rubén Blades that became the best-selling salsa album of all time. Those recordings are referenced repeatedly by peers as central to the genre’s modern shape.

Responses from peers: Rubén Blades and Rauw Alejandro

Rubén Blades sent condolences to Colón’s wife and family and said he would write at greater length about Willie’s vital musical legacy at a later time. Rauw Alejandro said Colón personally inspired and guided him, teaching that culture can be modern, creativity has no limits, popular work can be sophisticated, and that music made with truth endures. Both artists expressed grief and highlighted the lessons they took from Colón’s work.

Fania Records frames Colón as a pillar of Latin music

Fania Records — the label that signed Colón when he was 15 years old — issued a statement expressing devastation and calling him an icon whose sound transcended the dance floor and defined an era. The label said Colón helped carry Latin music from New York streets to global audiences and described his music as a proclamation of identity, pride, resistance and joy, writing that his music was not only heard but lived.

Broader ripple effects and tour context

Bad Bunny’s concert tribute occurred while the artist is in the middle of an international run: his song “DtMF” recently rose to No. 1 on the Hot 100 after his Super Bowl performance, and his tour will continue in Sydney, Australia. The timing matters because a contemporary superstar publicly honoring willie colon on a major stadium stage illustrates how Colón’s work continues to connect with new audiences and artists across genres and generations.

Site notices and invitations to readers

The item announcing the news included reader-facing elements common to music coverage: invitations to submit tips through an anonymous form, prompts to sign up for daily and weekly newsletters about the music and entertainment sectors, and the standard notice that "Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *. "

As statements and tributes continue to appear, the immediate effect of Colón’s death is clear: an artist whose recordings and collaborations reshaped salsa has prompted public mourning from top performers, official statements from the label that launched him at 15, and renewed attention to a catalog that influenced generations.