SANTO DOMINGO, June 3 (Xinhua) -- The president of the Dominican Republic, Danilo Medina, declared Sunday a day of national mourning for the death of musician Joseito Mateo, who was known as "The King of Merengue."
A statement from the president's office said national flags would fly at half mast at government buildings and military establishments across the island nation.
Mateo passed away on June 1 at the age of 98 at a hospital in the capital Santo Domingo, where he had been receiving treatment for several days.
In 2010, Mateo was given the Musical Excellence Award by the Latin Grammy's.
Four years later, in 2014, the singer was officially granted the title "The King of Merengue" by his nation's congress, while the Chamber of Deputies named him a "living legend of merengue and popular Dominican music."
The title of his 1950 debut album was "King of Merengue!"
Merengue is a type of music and dance originating in the Caribbean country, and has become popular throughout Latin America.
