El Alfa will be stepping away from music.
After letting fans in on news of his grandmother Ramonita’s death last week, the 34-year-old Dominican rapper (whose real name is Emanuel Herrera) took to Instagram on Jan. 7 with an emotional post revealing he plans to retire later this year.
“I know life goes on but my feelings don’t go unnoticed, my grandmother taught me to love God above all things, therefore I will mourn in her memory,” wrote El Alfa in a post (translated from Spanish to English) alongside photos with Ramonita and other family members. “Her happiness was to see me succeed but I can’t even be awake!!”
The artist, who holds 14.5 million Instagram followers and 20 million monthly Spotify listeners, continued, “I am temporarily saying goodbye to my audience who loves me. I’ll be back soon, goodbye Instagram.”
“I could spend more time with her but my work didn’t allow it,” said El Alfa. “THE DAYS OF MY RETIREMENT ARE GETTING SHORTER, ON DECEMBER 18TH THIS YEAR I’LL NEVER SING AGAIN… rest in peace grandma #ramonita […] I LOVE YOU.”
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PEOPLE has reached out to El Alfa’s rep for comment.
Throughout his career, El Alfa has released six studio albums, earned several platinum-certified hit songs and collaborated with artists including Cardi B, Rauw Alejandro, Bad Bunny, Daddy Yankee, Lil Jon, Diplo, Becky G and Kali Uchis, among others.
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Last week, El Alfa shared several photos of the late Ramonita to Instagram and shared news of her death.
“Today is one of the saddest days of my life, I lost the love of my grandmother,” he wrote. “Since I came into this world she always gave me all the love in the world and more. I am devastated.”
“May God bless her,” El Alfa continued at the time.
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