Diljit Dosanjh walked into the 27th Latin Grammy Awards as a performer making history and walked out as the artist everyone was talking about. The Punjabi superstar became the first Indian artist to perform live at the Latin Grammys on November 12, 2026, sharing the stage with Puerto Rican reggaeton icon Daddy Yankee at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas .
The two artists performed their collaboration “Pokito”, a Punjabi-Spanish track that blends Dosanjh’s signature Punjabi vocals with Yankee’s reggaeton beats . But it was a quiet backstage moment that truly captured global attention. A video showing Dosanjh bending down to touch the feet of Daddy Yankee’s mother, Rosa Rodríguez, has been circulating widely on social media, with viewers praising the singer for carrying his cultural traditions onto an international stage .
Diljit Dosanjh Becomes First Indian Artist to Perform at Latin Grammys
The 2026 Latin Grammy Awards were held on Thursday, November 12, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas . The ceremony aired live on Univision, UNIMÁS, and Galavisión, and streamed on ViX starting at 8 p.m. ET . Roselyn Sánchez returned as host for the tenth time .
Diljit Dosanjh’s performance with Daddy Yankee marked a major milestone for Indian music. Before this, no Indian artist had delivered a live performance at the Latin Grammys . The duo performed “Pokito”, a song that had been released on October 30, 2026 . The track runs for 3 minutes and 57 seconds and features Punjabi lyrics mixed with Spanish verses .
Diljit shared a video of the performance on his Instagram handle with a caption that read:
“Panjabi aa gaye @latingrammys OYE. Dunia Di Har Stage Te PANJABI Boli Jau Gi.. Baba Sukh Rakhe. Shoutout to Big Brother @daddyyankee. Thank you for Bringing Two Cultures Together On One Stage. Shoutout to @latingrammys For Having Us.”
The performance was part of a night that also featured appearances from artists including Baby Ranks, Bad Gyal, Divino, DJ Premier, Grupo Niche, Jay Wheeler, Lil Supa, Luis Enrique, Nathy Peluso, and Ángel ‘Cucco’ Peña . Daddy Yankee was also honoured as the 2026 Latin Recording Academy’s Person of the Year at the ceremony .
The Backstage Moment With Daddy Yankee’s Mother That Went Viral
A video shared by Diljit Dosanjh’s team shows the moment Daddy Yankee introduced the Punjabi singer to his mother, Rosa Rodríguez, backstage at the MGM Grand Garden Arena . As soon as he met her, Dosanjh bowed down and touched her feet — a traditional Indian gesture of respect and seeking blessings.
Rodríguez appeared visibly surprised and touched by the gesture, placing a hand to her chest with a warm smile, while Daddy Yankee was seen smiling and calling out Dosanjh’s name enthusiastically . The moment was widely shared across social media platforms, with fans and viewers applauding the singer for staying connected to his roots .
Touching an elder’s feet is a deeply rooted tradition in many Indian households, used as a way to show respect and seek blessings . Dosanjh carried this custom into an international music event, creating a moment that stood out amid the night’s celebrations .
What Daddy Yankee Said About Working With Diljit Dosanjh
Speaking to the media on the Latin Grammys red carpet, Daddy Yankee shared his thoughts on the collaboration and what it meant to him. He said:
“It means a lot. I want to thank Diljit; he did a great job. I think Punjabi and Reggaeton are like cousins. I always felt like that. The collaboration has been amazing; I want to thank everyone who has been supporting the record. It’s like one of the craziest things like music makes sense when the cultures collide.”
The Puerto Rican star also described Dosanjh as a “great guy” during the backstage interaction . The mutual respect between the two artists was visible throughout the evening, from their stage performance to the moments shared behind the scenes .
The Story Behind ‘Pokito’
“Pokito” is a Punjabi-Spanish track that brings together two distinct musical styles. The song blends Dosanjh’s Punjabi vocals and Bhangra influences with Daddy Yankee’s signature reggaeton sound . The track features the recurring Spanish phrase “Poquito a poquito”, which translates to “little by little” .
The music video, directed by Stillz, uses colourful visuals to celebrate both cultures, with references to Punjabi traditions and Latin street culture . The song is part of Daddy Yankee’s 15-track album La Postal .
The collaboration marks a significant crossover moment for both artists. Dosanjh has been steadily building an international presence, while Yankee — a veteran of the Latin music industry — has long been one of reggaeton’s most recognisable figures .
Fan Reactions to the Viral Gesture
Social media users widely praised Dosanjh for the feet-touching moment. Comments under the viral video reflected appreciation for his humility and cultural pride .
“Great following Punjabi traditions proudly,” one fan commented under the YouTube video .
“This video literally made me cry. He is so respectful,” another user wrote .
“I like the fact that he actually touched her feet and not pretend to touch,” a third comment read .
“That’s our culture. God bless you Diljit paaji,” a person commented .
On X, one user wrote: “Pure Punjabi values on a global stage. Daddy Yankee introduces his mom to Diljit Dosanjh, and Diljit’s immediate instinct is to touch her feet in traditional Indian respect. No matter how big the fame gets, the sanskaar stay unmatched” .
Another X user wrote: “A beautiful gesture of respect! Diljit Dosanjh touches Daddy Yankee’s mother’s feet! Showing Punjabi & Indian Values” .
Comments about the performance itself also poured in, with fans calling it the “Best crossover of the year” and praising the blend of rhythms .
Diljit Dosanjh’s Growing International Presence
The Latin Grammys appearance adds to Diljit Dosanjh’s expanding international career. The 42-year-old star is currently touring India as part of his Aura Tour 2026, which began in Delhi on October 30 . He is scheduled to perform in Indore on November 15, followed by concerts in Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Lucknow, concluding the India leg in Chandigarh on December 6 . He will then perform in Abu Dhabi on December 31 as part of his Aura World Tour.
You May Also Like:
Dosanjh is also set to return to the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in 2027, marking his second appearance at the event. The festival’s line-up features Dosanjh on April 9 and April 16, alongside headliner Dua Lipa, with Madonna also set to headline . He made history in April 2023 when he became the first Punjabi artist to perform at Coachella .
The 2026 Latin Grammy Awards marked another chapter in a career that continues to cross borders, bringing Punjabi music to audiences that might never have encountered it otherwise .
Also Read: Diljit Dosanjh Back at Coachella 2027: Full Lineup and Ticket Details
For more entertainment news and updates, visit VvipTimes.
Leave a Reply