On Tuesday, Cuban musician Candyman experienced a dramatic moment when the vehicle he was riding in crashed while he was live-streaming a video for his followers on Instagram. The entire incident was captured during the broadcast.
According to reports, Rubén Cuesta Palomo, the artist's real name, was performing in front of the camera when the collision occurred. Footage shows that Candyman was not driving at the time, and at least two cars were involved in the accident.
Images from the scene depict a light blue SUV with significant front-end damage—a completely crumpled hood and exposed engine—stationed in the median of what appears to be an interstate highway. An ambulance labeled "Gretna Rescue" was present, indicating that the crash likely happened near Gretna, Nebraska, probably on Interstate 80. Emergency services responded promptly to the scene.
Despite the severity of the crash, Candyman re-emerged on camera with his trademark humor. "I'm alright, family, I didn't die," he said with a smile, exiting the vehicle laughing and singing, showing no signs of serious injury.
Candyman's Resilience Shines Through
The artist's reaction to the situation quickly caught attention on social media, where the video spread rapidly. A reposting account described it as follows: "The Samurai Candyman gets into an accident live, yet remains professional to the end. Fortunately, he's okay and nothing bad happened."
Known as "El Samurai" within the Cuban urban music scene, Candyman hails from Santiago de Cuba and is regarded as a pioneer of reggaetón on the island. He was among the first to blend Jamaican dancehall and ragga with Cuban music, creating what is now termed cubatón.
Accidents in Cuban Urban Music
This incident adds to a series of accidents involving Cuban urban music figures in recent years. Nesty, another artist, was involved in a severe crash in January 2025, and Chocolate MC required emergency hospitalization after a major accident in 2021.
This year, Candyman has also made headlines for other reasons: a documentary exploring his roots and Cuban reggaetón received international acclaim last month, solidifying his status as a historic figure in the genre on the island.
Renowned for frequently engaging with his audience through live streams, Candyman once again proved that his connection with fans remains unbroken, even in the face of unexpected challenges.
Insights into Candyman's Accident and Career
What happened to Candyman during the live stream?
While live-streaming on Instagram, the vehicle Candyman was in collided with another car. The incident was captured live, but fortunately, Candyman was unharmed.
Where did Candyman's accident take place?
The accident occurred near Gretna, Nebraska, likely on Interstate 80, as indicated by the presence of an ambulance labeled "Gretna Rescue."
How did Candyman react to the accident?
Candyman maintained his characteristic humor, reassuring his followers that he was fine, as he exited the vehicle laughing and singing.
What is Candyman's contribution to Cuban music?
Candyman is a pioneer in Cuban reggaetón, having been one of the first to integrate Jamaican dancehall and ragga into Cuban music, creating the genre known as cubatón.