Don Omar’s Back to Reggaetón tour made a remarkable stop at New York’s Barclays Center on Saturday night (March 9), showcasing the undiminished prowess of the Puerto Rican legend. His sold-out show, filled with 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 U.S. tour, produced by CMN, marks his much-awaited return to the stage, celebrating two decades of influential hits that have cemented his status as a global superstar. The tour, which launched 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 ablaze with reggeatón pioneer DJ Nelson behind the turntables, featuring classics that took the audience on a journey through the genre’s history. He kicked off with his own hit, reggaetón’s breakthrough “Vengo Acabando,” originally also sung with Alberto Stylee. He also spun “Noche de Travesuras” by Nicki Jam, “Lo Que Pasó Pasó” by Daddy Yankee, “Yo Voy” by Zion & Lennox, “Saoco” by Wisin, and “Tusa” by Karol G with Nicki Minaj, priming the crowd for the main event.
Don Omar’s entrance was a spectacle in itself, with a gigantic, rotating skull serving as his dramatic lift onto the stage. The audience erupted into a standing ovation as he appeared, his figure accentuated by a striking black snakeskin trench coat trimmed with red fur, and rocking his iconic cornrows. His performance was both a homage to reggaetón’s legacy and a celebration of his monumental career.
He ran through two-hours of bangers such as “Salió El Sol,” “Hasta Abajo” and “Dile.” “Pobre Diabla’ is a hit because of this city in the U.S., he shouted after performing it. “This song means New York to me,” he told the crowd.
Here are five best moments at Don Omar at Barclays Center.
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A Post-Apocalyptic Spectacle
The stage setup transported the audience into a post-apocalyptic world reminiscent of Mad Max. Dancers clad in leather gear, some with rows of buns and others donning ski masks, moved energetically against a fiery red backdrop adorned with images of skulls and mechanical designs. Some dancers held up black flags projecting the vibe of soldiers. This thematic decor added a layer of intensity and excitement to the show, with the visual elements amplifying the raw, powerful energy of Don Omar’s music, who kicked off with “Dale Don Dale,” followed up with “Reportensen” and “Ronca.”
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Tribute to the Reggaetón Legends
Don Omar turned the spotlight to the foundational pillars of reggaetón, paying tribute to the legends who have shaped the genre. This tribute segment was a masterclass in genre history, reminding everyone present 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 starring Don Omar on the original.
“[Daddy Yankee] dedicated 35 years of his life to reggaetón. I don’t have anyone to argue with anymore,” the Don mentioned playfully, alluding to their beef as competing kings of the genre, yet underscoring the deep respect between the genre’s leading figures.
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A Historic Night
“Thank you for making history with me. This is 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 in between songs. “Thank you for making yourself beautiful and precious, and thank you to the husbands who paid for the box office,” he added jokingly.
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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, complete with blazing imagery; royal golds to represent his reggaetón kingdom, adorned with crowns; metallic blues to denote his status as the chosen king, highlighted by futuristic robots (“Sexy Robótica” and “Blue Zone” fittingly featured here); and cyber punk pinks for added flair, enhancing the spectacle for the audience.
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A Bandolero’s Farewell
“Thank you for making my dream come true,” Don Omar mused. “I was a high school dropout, a church pastor, and in the best moment of my life, you allowed me to be Don Omar. I have made so many mistakes in my life, and at my age, it is clear to me that having made my mistakes is what has me where I am today, because from each one of them I learned. 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 things, all the bad things. But this dream that I am every day, I am a ‘Bandolero,’” he said before appropriately closing the night with the 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.
This story originally appeared on Billboard
