José Manuel Carbajal Zaldívar, known as El Taiger, built a music career that earned him between $1 million and $5 million before his death in October 2024. The Cuban artist wealth accumulated through music sales, streaming platforms, concerts, and brand deals. He claimed to have earned over $1 million from just one song. His death sparked legal battles over his estate value and raised questions about his true financial standing.
El Taiger Net Worth
Most estimates place El Taiger’s net worth between $1 million and $5 million. This range reflects income from multiple sources during his career. The wide gap exists because exact financial records were never made public, and his monetary value remained confidential even after court proceedings.
El Taiger earned money through music sales, streaming revenue, live performances, and collaborations with major artists. He worked with Bad Bunny and J Balvin, which expanded his reach beyond Cuban markets. His debut album “Taiger” dropped in 2016 and launched his solo career. He built his brand “Fashaton,” mixing music with fashion, which created another revenue stream. His YouTube channel gained 338,000 subscribers, generating ad income through his asset portfolio. Concert tickets and festival appearances added more cash to his accounts, contributing to his accumulated wealth.
After his death, records revealed he failed to pay federal income taxes for multiple years. This tax debt represents significant financial debt that reduces his true net worth. The exact value of his estate remains confidential under court orders, though his total assets continue generating income posthumously.
Biography and Career Trajectory
El Taiger was born on September 6, 1987, and started his career in the band Los 4 with his cousin Jorge Junior. He later joined Los Desiguales before going solo. His rise made him one of the most popular Cubaton artists, contributing significantly to Cuban music industry wealth.
His first album came out in 2016 on the Rottboyz label. One of his tracks appeared on the Fate of the Furious soundtrack, bringing him global attention and improving his earnings estimate. He released his final studio album “10 Éxitos Duros” in July 2024, just months before his death. His personal brand combined urban music with innovative clothing. This style helped him stand out in the crowded reggaeton scene. He worked nonstop in the studio, recording material for years, building unreleased catalog value that would benefit his heirs.
His mother died in September 2020 at age 53, which friends say affected his emotional state. He was a devout Catholic and had a Virgin Mary tattoo on his head. He regularly visited his grandmother and four daughters back in Cuba, maintaining family ties despite his growing celebrity wealth.
How Much Did El Taiger Actually Earn
El Taiger stated publicly that he earned more than a million dollars from his song “Historia” (History). The track’s audio format got over 73 million YouTube views. The official music video added another 15 million views, demonstrating his financial success with a single release.
Music sales formed his primary income source. Streaming platforms paid him based on play counts from services like Spotify and Apple Music. Each stream generates small payments, but millions of plays add up fast. Royalty income came from ads on his music videos. With hundreds of millions of total views, this created steady income. Concert tours and festival bookings paid well as part of his artist income. He performed across Latin America and internationally. These shows not only paid appearance fees but also sold merchandise.
His “Fashaton” brand opened doors to fashion partnerships. Clothing sales and brand deals added more money to his monetary achievements. Collaborations with bigger artists like Bad Bunny increased his visibility and streaming revenue. His partnerships with renowned artists contributed to his financial portfolio.
However, costs cut into these earnings. Recording studios, music producers, managers, and marketing all cost money. Touring requires staff, equipment, and travel expenses. He owed substantial federal income taxes that his estate must now pay. These tax obligations and other liabilities explain why his actual wealth may have been lower than his gross income, affecting his final economic assessment.
Key Statements and Claims About His Earnings
In an interview for Destino Tolk, El Taiger said “You are talking to the soldering iron without tin. I burn the dollars.” This statement revealed his confidence about his financial success. He spoke openly about making over $1 million from “Historia” alone, a bold claim about his reggaeton star fortune.
His claim about the song’s success can be verified through public data. The track dominated streaming charts and generated massive view counts. Music industry experts estimate that hits with this level of success can indeed generate seven figures when you add streaming, downloads, performance rights, and licensing. The video views alone suggest strong revenue potential. YouTube pays between $3 and $7 per thousand views for monetized channels. With nearly 90 million total views between formats, the math supports his million-dollar claim.
His former manager Marcel Reinosa confirmed the team had “at least four to five albums worth of material” ready for release. This unreleased catalog represents significant future value. These songs can generate posthumous royalties for years through streaming and licensing. His management blocked access to all bank accounts and social media immediately after the shooting to protect assets and preserve estate management integrity.
Impact of His Death on His Finances
El Taiger was found shot in the head on October 3, 2024, and died a week later on October 10. Damián Valdez-Galloso was charged with second-degree murder, later upgraded to first-degree murder. The legal case continues with trial scheduled for September 2025.
His death triggered a surge in streaming activity. Fans played his music constantly as tributes. This spike in streams increased royalty payments to his estate. A Miami-Dade judge appointed attorney Yuneymis Barreto and Katherine Riveron Garcia as co-personal representatives of his estate in March 2025. They manage all music business matters until his four children reach adulthood, handling complex inheritance distribution.
The judge authorized them to collect royalties and licensing fees, negotiate new licensing agreements, market his music catalog, and release new productions including unreleased songs. They must submit quarterly reports about income and expenses. All net profits go into the estate’s restricted account for the children. The first posthumous song “Chaito good bye” was released on June 20, 2025.
His estate includes unreleased music worth potentially millions. With years of material ready for release, his heirs could see steady income for the next three to four years. The management revealed plans to keep releasing music and allow tribute projects. Each new release generates fresh streams and downloads. Death often increases an artist’s commercial value as fans seek to honor their memory, affecting the overall financial worth.
Current Estimates and Range Analysis
Most sources agree on the $1 million to $5 million range for El Taiger net worth. This four-million-dollar gap reflects uncertainty about his true financial picture. The low end assumes higher costs and debts. The high end assumes maximum earnings from all sources.
A realistic mid-range estimate would place his wealth around $2 million to $3 million. This accounts for his proven success with “Historia” earning over $1 million alone. It includes income from his entire catalog, concerts, and other ventures. It also subtracts likely costs like production expenses, management fees, and the known tax debt.
Comparisons to similar Cuban reggaeton artists support this range. Artists at his level of fame typically fall within this bracket. He lacked the massive wealth of global superstars but exceeded most regional performers. His YouTube subscriber count of 338,000 sits below the biggest names but above average for the genre. His collaboration with major artists like Bad Bunny suggests he commanded decent fees.
The estate’s confidential status prevents exact confirmation. Court records show the total value was kept confidential. Future releases of his unreleased material will add to the final number. His four children stand to inherit equal shares of 25% each, dividing his total assets among legal heirs.
Legal and Estate Matters
Damián Valdez-Galloso faces first-degree murder charges and prosecutors decided not to seek the death penalty. He also faces tampering with evidence and illegal firearm possession charges. The trial is scheduled to begin September 15, 2025.
The murder investigation revealed surveillance footage showing the shooting. Valdez-Galloso shot El Taiger at the front door of his Hialeah home, dragged his body to a vehicle, cleaned the crime scene, and drove him near Jackson Memorial Hospital. He called 911 himself after abandoning the injured artist. El Taiger had no health insurance, which complicated his medical care.
His four beneficiaries include a 7-year-old son and three daughters ages 6, 12, and 7. The co-representatives manage the estate until all children reach adulthood. The estate faces tax issues from years of unpaid federal income taxes. Representatives must resolve these debts before distributing inheritance. They work to preserve his artistic work and expand his commercial presence through new releases and tribute projects.
FAQs About El Taiger’s Wealth
What was El Taiger’s real name?
His real name was José Manuel Carbajal Zaldívar.
How did El Taiger die?
He was shot in the head on October 3, 2024, and died October 10, 2024, at age 37.
Who inherits El Taiger’s money?
His four children are the legal heirs, each entitled to 25% of his estate.
How much did El Taiger make from his biggest song?
He claimed to have earned more than $1 million from “Historia.”
Will more El Taiger music be released?
Yes, his team has four to five albums worth of unreleased material planned for release over the next several years.
What happened to El Taiger’s business after he died?
It was frozen until a judge appointed legal representatives in March 2025 to manage his music catalog and collect royalties.
Key Points About El Taiger Net Worth:
- Verified earnings claim: El Taiger publicly stated he earned over $1 million from his song “Historia” alone, providing a concrete data point about his income potential and financial standing.
- Estate management begins: A Miami-Dade judge authorized new representatives in March 2025 to manage his music business, collect royalties, and release unreleased material, ensuring his financial work continues.
- Substantial unreleased catalog: His team possesses four to five albums worth of unreleased material, representing significant future earnings for his four children.
- Tax complications: He failed to pay federal income taxes for multiple years, creating debt his estate must resolve before distributing inheritance.
- Posthumous revenue potential: The first posthumous release came in June 2025, starting a planned series of releases that will generate ongoing streaming income and maintain his commercial presence for years.
