Yoskar Sarante was one of the most prominent and influential bachata singers of his generation. His romantic and passionate songs captivated millions of fans around the world, especially in his native Dominican Republic. However, his life and career were cut short by a tragic illness that took him away at the age of 49. In this article, we will explore the cause of death of Yoskar Sarante, his musical legacy, and the reactions of his peers and admirers.
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What was Yoskar Sarante’s cause of death?
According to Billboard, Yoskar Sarante died on January 28, 2019, in Orlando, Florida, due to a lung problem. He was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis, a condition that causes scarring and damage to the lung tissue, making it hard to breathe and get enough oxygen. Pulmonary fibrosis has no cure and can be caused by various factors, such as environmental exposure, infections, medications, or genetics.
Yoskar Sarante had been hospitalized for several days before his death, and his family had asked for prayers and donations to cover his medical expenses. He was surrounded by his loved ones when he passed away.
How did Yoskar Sarante become a bachata star?
Yoskar Sarante was born on January 2, 1970, in Santo Domingo, the capital of the Dominican Republic. He grew up in a musical family, as his father was a guitarist and singer who taught him how to perform from a young age. He used to accompany his father in parks and public squares, singing for money.
He started his professional career in 1994 as a merengue singer in the local band Grupo Melao. He then switched to bachata, a genre that originated in the Dominican countryside and was often stigmatized as vulgar and low-class. However, Yoskar Sarante was part of the nueva bachata movement that modernized and popularized the genre in the 1990s and 2000s.
He released his debut solo album El Prabu (his nickname) in 1994 and continued to produce new albums every two years until 2019. He was known for his distinctive voice, emotional lyrics, and catchy melodies. Some of his most famous songs include Llora Alma Mia, Perdoname, Quien Eres Tu, No Es Casualidad, and La Insulina.
He also collaborated with other bachata artists, such as Frank Reyes, Luis Vargas, Raulin Rodriguez, Zacarias Ferreira, and Anthony Santos. He was invited to perform for the mayor at the New York Mets stadium in 2006, which gave him some recognition in the United States. He also toured extensively in Latin America and Europe, where he had a large fan base.
How did the bachata community react to Yoskar Sarante’s death?
Yoskar Sarante’s death was mourned by many bachata singers, musicians, producers, and fans who expressed their condolences and tributes on social media. Some of the messages were:
- Romeo Santos: “Our genre has lost a superstar, one of the best voices of Bachata.”
- Don Omar: “Your departure has been sudden and surprising. Bachata and your beautiful country are in mourning.”
- Alex Sensation: “I will always remember you with that joy and all your songs that made me your fan since the beginning of your career.”
- Prince Royce: “Rest in peace Yoskar Sarante. A great loss for bachata and music in general.”
- Aventura: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of our colleague Yoskar Sarante. A great exponent of our beloved bachata. Our condolences to his family and friends.”
- Juan Luis Guerra: “A hug to the family of Yoskar Sarante. A great voice of our music.”
Yoskar Sarante’s funeral was held in Santo Domingo on January 30, 2019. Thousands of people attended to pay their respects and honor his memory. His coffin was carried by a caravan of motorcycles and cars through the streets of the city while his songs were played loud. He was buried at the Cristo Redentor cemetery.
What is Yoskar Sarante’s legacy?
Yoskar Sarante left behind a rich musical legacy that will continue to inspire generations of bachata lovers. His songs have been covered by many artists, such as Prince Royce, Toby Love, Karlos Rosé, Leslie Grace, Kewin Cosmos, among others. His albums have been reissued and remastered by various labels, such as J&N Records, which was the first to believe in him and promote his work.
He also left behind a family that loved him and supported him throughout his career. He had four children, Yoskar Jr., Yosmery, Yosmari, and Yosmel, who followed his footsteps and became singers as well. He also had several grandchildren who inherited his talent and passion for music.
Yoskar Sarante was a humble, generous, and charismatic person who always had a smile on his face. He was a proud Dominican who represented his country with dignity and pride. He was a legend of bachata who will never be forgotten.
