Don Omar's Back to Reggaetón tour made a notable stop at New York's Barclays Center on Saturday night (March 9), showcasing the Puerto Rican legend's undiminished prowess. His sold-out show, full of energy and nostalgia, underlined his title as the King of Reggaetón, engaging the audience with a mix of his greatest hits and a captivating stage presence.
The Back to Reggaetón US tour, produced by CMN, marks his long-awaited return to the stage, celebrating two decades of influential hits that have cemented his status as a global superstar. The tour, which kicked off in Reading, Pennsylvania, on March 7, will also include stops in major cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, Las Vegas and Houston.
The stage was set on fire with reggeatón pioneer DJ Nelson behind the turntables, with classics that took the audience on a journey through the history of the genre. He started with his own hit, the reggaetón pioneer “Vengo Acabando”, originally also sung with Alberto Stylee. She also performed Nicki Jam's 'Noche de Travesuras', Daddy Yankee's 'Lo Que Pasó Pasó', Zion & Lennox's 'Yo Voy', Wisin's 'Saoco' and Karol G's 'Tusa' with Nicki Minaj. crowd for the main event.
Don Omar's entrance was a sight in itself, with a giant, spinning skull serving as a dramatic stage lift. The audience erupted into a standing ovation as he made his appearance, his figure accentuated by a striking black snakeskin trench coat trimmed with red fur and rocking his iconic trunks. His performance was both a tribute to reggaetón's legacy and a celebration of his monumental career.
He ran through two-hour hits like 'Salió El Sol', 'Hasta Abajo' and 'Dile'. “Pobre Diabla” is a success because of this city in the USA, he shouted after his performance. “This song means New York to me,” he told the crowd.
Here are five best moments at Don Omar at Barclays Center.
-
A post-apocalyptic spectacle
The setting transported the audience to a reminiscent post-apocalyptic world Mad Max. Dancers dressed in leather, some with rows of buns and others wearing ski masks, moved energetically against a fiery red background adorned with images of skulls and mechanical designs. Some dancers held black flags projecting the atmosphere of soldiers. This themed set added a layer of tension and excitement to the show, with the visuals enhancing the raw, powerful energy of Don Omar's music, which opened with “Dale Don Dale” followed by “Reportensen” and ” Ronca”.
-
Tribute to the legends of Reggaetón
Don Omar shines a spotlight on the fundamental pillars of reggaetón, paying tribute to the legends that shaped the genre. This tribute segment was a masterclass in the history of the genre, reminding all in attendance of reggaetón's journey from the streets of Puerto Rico to global dominance. He performed songs by Héctor y Tito (“Baila Morena”, “Amor de Colegio”), Luny Tunes (“Entre Tú y Yo”), Wisin y Yandel (“Nadie Como Tu”, “La Pared”) and Daddy Yankee ( “Gata Gangster”, “Desafío”). Many of them also star Don Omar in the original.
“[Daddy Yankee] dedicated 35 years of his life to reggaetón. I don't have anyone to argue with anymore,” Don playfully mentioned, referring to their beef as rival genre kings, yet underscoring the deep respect between the genre's top figures.
-
A historic night
“Thank you for making history with me. It's my first time performing at the Barclays Center. This is a historic night. I want to thank you all for coming out tonight. Thank you for your sacrifices,” Don Omar said between songs. “Thank you for making yourselves beautiful and precious and thank you to the husbands who paid for the coffers,” she added jokingly.
-
Fiery Reds and Royal Golds
The show was a feast for the senses, with visually stunning segments that transitioned between fiery reds to signify conquest, with incredible visuals. royal gold to represent his reggaetón kingdom, adorned with crowns. metallic blues to signify his status as an elite king, accented by futuristic robots (“Sexy Robótica” and “Blue Zone” are aptly featured here). and cyber punk pink for added flair, enhancing the spectacle for the audience.
-
Badolero's Farewell
“Thank you for making my dream come true,” thought Don Omar. “I was a high school dropout, a church pastor and at the best moment of my life, you allowed me to become Don Omar. I've made so many mistakes in my life, and at my age, it's clear to me that making my mistakes is what brought me to where I am today, because I learned from each one. I learned that on this planet, no one has the key to heaven. The only key to heaven is your direct relationship with what is in heaven… My name is William Omar Landron Rivera. All the good, all the bad. But this dream that I am every day, I'm 'Bandolero,'” he said before fittingly closing the night with an encore.
As the Back to Reggaetón tour continues, it's clear that Don Omar remains a pivotal figure in bringing the vibrant energy and rich history of reggaetón to fans across the United States.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/lists/don-omar-back-to-reggaeton-tour-new-york-barclays-center-best-moments-recap/
