Don Omar stopped by Billboard News and spoke with BillboardLeila Cobo, director of Latin content, on her long-running rivalry with Daddy Yankee, gives her opinion on his retirement and more.
Don Omar:
I met Raymond Ayala, because I had the opportunity to work with Raymond and he met William. Those two characters that people don't think much about, because when they meet us we are Daddy Yankee and Don Omar. And something I always admired about Raymond is that Raymond was Daddy Yankee 24/7. It didn't matter where he was, he was Daddy Yankee, the brand, and the product, the artist, he handled himself that way, he became self-conscious. Perhaps the same things as I have also been self-conscious of many. When I heard that Raymond was leaving—and it's not leaving, because Raymond already did everything—to find inner peace, I respected him more than ever. Because people don't do that. People don't give up everything, and anyone who knows anything about the industry can be clear that Daddy Yankee had it all. When you can leave everything to align yourself spiritually, you now deserve everything. I'm not going to do it. When I feel like I need a year, two years, three years, I go. And I love them and I adore them and we will see each other when I can, but I needed those spaces in my life to not continue being Don Omar and to be able to see life like William.
Leila Cobo:
And for your mental health, your peace of mind, you need what you need.
Don Omar:
To grow. And I think Raymond was one of the cold-tempered guys. Cold. When you can choose, “It doesn't matter if it hurts, it doesn't matter if I need help, it doesn't matter if I'm sad, I am the artist,” you have a heart of steel. And when I found out that his new quest was on it, that day he completely earned my respect. Completely.
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