Cuban music artist El Taiger died Thursday at the age of 37 in Miami, a week after he was shot in the head in what his family described as a “senseless crime of violence.”
“This afternoon, El Taiger was pronounced dead and has now been reunited with his beloved mother in heaven,” his family said in a statement on Instagram Stories on Thursday.
The tragic announcement about El Taiger, translated from Spanish, read: ‘On the morning of Friday, October 4, 2024, Jose Manuel Carvajal, known as ‘El Taiger’, was the victim of a senseless crime of violence.’
El Taiger “was found near Jackson Memorial Hospital and immediately transported to the Emergency Intensive Care Unit,” the statement said.
The family said they were “extremely grateful” as they thanked the facility’s medical staff for their “tireless efforts to provide him with the care he needed.”
Cuban music artist El Taiger died Thursday at the age of 37 in Miami, a week after he was shot in the head in what his family described as a “senseless crime of violence.”
“This afternoon, El Taiger was pronounced dead and has now been reunited with his beloved mother in heaven,” his family said in a statement on Instagram Stories on Thursday. Pictured 2022 in Florida
The family said that “during this incredibly difficult time, family, friends and supporters came together in prayer, hope and support, looking for a miracle,” adding: “To everyone who prayed, we thank you.”
El Taiger was a popular artist in the Cubaton genre, a hybrid of reggaeton with classic Cuban rhythms, with notable songs such as La Historia, El Papelito and Habla Matador.
El Taiger released his debut record – titled Taiger – in 2016 on Puerto Rican hip-hop stalwart Cosculluela’s Rottboyz label, according to Billboard.
The following year he provided vocals on the song La Habana in a collaboration with Pinto ‘Wahin’ and DJ Ricky Luna, which was featured on the soundtrack of The Fate of the Furious.
El Taiger’s most recent release came last summer with Rulay, a song in which he performed with Ecuadorian artist Niko G.
El Taiger’s family encouraged his fans to “honor his memory by celebrating the joy he brought to so many” with his material.
“Turn up your music, dance and celebrate his life,” his family said. “El Taiger was the sentiment of the people, and now we must keep that sentiment alive through his music and his legacy.”
Miami police said at a news conference last week that El Taiger was found by authorities in a black vehicle having been shot in the head after they received a phone call on the morning of Oct. 3.
El Taiger’s most recent release came last summer with Rulay, a song in which he performed with Ecuadorian artist Niko G.
The artist was pictured on stage on September 2, 2022 in Coral Gables, Florida
In 2017, El Taiger provided vocals on the song La Habana in a collaboration with Pinto ‘Wahin’ and DJ Ricky Luna, which was featured on the soundtrack of The Fate of the Furious. Pictured 2017 in Miami
El Taiger’s colleague Dany Ome had the phrase ‘LBMA’ tattooed on his chest as a memorial to his fallen friend
He was then transported to Jackson Memorial Hospital, where doctors operated on him. His condition was critical until the time he died, police said.
Miami Police Chief Manuel A. Morales said last week that investigators believe the musical performer was shot at another location and then taken to an area near the medical facility. TMZ reported. El Taiger was found in the back of a Mercedes-Benz with a few gasoline cans in the trunk.
According to the outlet CibercubaEl Taiger’s colleague Dany Ome had the phrase ‘LBMA’ tattooed on his chest in memory of his fallen friend.
El Taiger also had the phrase – which was an abbreviation of the title ‘The Beast, the Machine, the Animal’ – inked on his person.