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Willie Colón, architect of urban salsa music, dies at 75

Associated Press (AP)EN 6 min read 100% complete by By  THE ASSOCIATED PRESSFebruary 21, 2026 at 11:53 PM
Willie Colón, architect of urban salsa music, dies at 75
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Willie Colón, widely recognized as the "architect of urban salsa," died on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at the age of 75. Colón was a singer, musician, and influential figure in the salsa music genre. He was known for his innovative approach to salsa, incorporating urban sounds and themes into his music. Throughout his career, Colón received accolades, including an award for best musica afroamericana at the Lunas del Auditorio Nacional awards ceremony in Mexico City in 2018. He performed at events such as The Climate Rally on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., and tribute concerts honoring fellow musicians.

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AP News ×630% National Mall 40% Washington 40% Hector Lavoe 40% San Juan 40% Puerto Rico 40% Mexico City ×360% Willie Colón ×12100%

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willie colón 100% urban salsa 90% salsa music 80% architect of urban salsa 70% musician 60% death 50%

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