Yeison Jiménez, Colombian Musician and Star of ‘Música Popular,’ Dies in Plane Crash at Age 34

The singer-songwriter was en route to a scheduled performance in Medellín, Colombia, when the crash occurred.

Colombian singer Yeison Jiménez arrives for Univision’s 34th Edition of “Premio Lo Nuestro” at FTX Arena in Miami, Fla., on Feb. 24, 2022. Eva Marie Uzcategui/AFP via Getty Images

Colombian singer-songwriter Yeison Jiménez has died at 34 years old in a plane crash, just hours before he was set to perform at his next concert in Medellín, Colombia.

The star of the “música popular” genre and five other individuals, including members of his team, died on Jan. 10, after the aircraft, registered as N325FA, crashed in the area between the cities of Paipa and Duitama.

The Special Administrative Unit of Civil Aeronautics (SAUCA) identified all occupants as Jiménez, his manager Jefferson Osorio, pilot Captain Hernando Torres, and passengers Juan Manuel Rodríguez, Óscar Marín, and Weisman Mora.

“The Civil Aviation Authority deeply regrets this tragedy, and expresses its most sincere condolences to the family members, friends and followers of Mr. Yeison Jiménez, as well as to the families of the other occupants and flight crew,” reads the statement on X.

“We stand in solidarity and support during this time of profound sorrow for the country and the cultural industry.”

The exact cause of the crash remains unknown at this time, however, according to SAUCA, an investigation in coordination with national police and the Technical Directorate for Accident Investigation remains underway.

Jiménez is considered one of the most popular names in the Colombian music scene, known for drawing thousands of fans to his performances.

In 2024, he sold out the Movistar Arena in Bogotá three times, and the following year sold out El Campín Stadium, also in Bogotá—the first artist in the nation to do so.

“Today we say goodbye not only to an artist; we say goodbye to a son, a brother, a friend, a human being full of dreams and courage, who transformed his story into hope for thousands of people,” reads a statement from the musician’s official Instagram account. “Yeison embodied perseverance, discipline, and love for his community. His voice and his example were born from hard work, and that is why they will forever mark the lives of those who followed and loved him.”

Notably, his hit “Tu Amante” reached No. 16 in 2021 on the Regional Mexican Airplay ranking and his song “Ya No Mi Amor” saw streaming success with more than 200 million views on YouTube.

“Yeison may be gone physically, but his legacy lives on: in his songs, in his words, in his struggles, in his refusal to give up, and in the indelible mark he leaves on Colombian regional music and in the hearts of his people,” the statement concluded. “His light will continue to shine every time someone sings one of his songs and remembers that it is possible to overcome adversity.”

Jiménez is survived by his wife and three children.