Daddy Yankee

From AmericolaWiki

Ramón “Raymond” Ayala (born on February 3, 1977 in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico), known publicly as Daddy Yankee is a highly successful Puerto Rican reggaeton recording artist. He is sometimes referred to as El Cangri'. Ayala is famous for recording songs in both English and Spanish, although the latter is more prominently used.

Ayala first became involved in recording music in the early 1990s alongside DJ Playero, a pioneer of reggaeton music. He rapped as a hobby, in private parties organized by friends in his neighborhood, the Villa Kennedy, housing project in San Juan. At the time he was also involved in some minor illegal activities.^{[citation needed]} By the time he reached the age of seventeen he was shot in his leg at a skirmish with rivals.^{[citation needed]} This experience was an eye opener to him, and he swore off illegal activities for good (his brother Melvin became a born-again Christian -and eventually a Christian minister- at the insistence of Raymond, who persuaded him strongly enough to not follow a lifestyle similar to what he had experienced until then).^{[citation needed]} He then pursued music as a full-time profession, and explored reggaeton as his main musical style at a time when straight rap and hip hop were the norm in Puerto Rico.

Ayala's persistence over ten years eventually paid off. His sudden ascent to wealth and fame was a result of the hit song ~Gasolina~ (which was written by Eddie Dee and produced by the producing duo, Luny Tunes), from his 2004 album "Barrio Fino". The album has sold over 1,000,000 copies in the United States alone and has also sold well throughout Latin America, as well as in the Europe, Asia, and Australia.

He has appeared on over 70 albums, including compilations such as; "Más Flow 2" and "Blin Blin Vol. 1". He has also performed with Nicky Jam (which they were a popular duo-act from the late-90's to early 2000's), Luny Tunes, DJ Blass, DJ Eric, Eliel, Nas, DJ Tony Touch, Lloyd Banks, Young Buck, Snoop Dogg and many others.

In 2005, Ayala was cast in a Paramount Pictures film, tentatively titled Talento de Barrio (Barrio talent). Ayala says that although the movie is not autobiographical, it does represent the lives of himself and others living on the streets of Latin America^{[citation needed]}. The movie is expected to premiere on DVD in Spring 2006.

Also due out in 2006 is Ayala's own clothing line, named DY. He has also teamed up with Reebok to have his own shoes and sporting goods, to be available on May 23, 2006.

Ayala also hosts "Daddy Yankee On Fuego", a syndicated radio show from ABC Radio Networks. In his bonus DVD Barrio Fino En Directo, Ayala is quoted as saying he is going to make his next release, The Cartel: The Big Boss, a hit. In the special edition of Barrio Fino En Directo, on the DVD side of the album, there is a quote exclaiming, "El Cartel coming soon."

He was regarded as one of the 100 most influential people by TIME magazine.[[1]]

Ayala currently has new tracks featured on the new Luny Tunes and Tainy album, Mas Flow: Los Benjamins.

Daddy Yankee appearred in N.O.R.E.'s Reggaeton compilation album of N.O.R.E. y la Familia...Ya Tú Sabe.

Daddy Yankee's beef or “tiraera” war with Reggaeton rival Don Omar has become one of the hottest topics in the reggaeton community. Both have released numerous songs aiming at one another because they both consider themselves the King of Reggaeton.

Daddy Yankee is one of the owners of El Cartel Records.

[edit] Discography

[edit] Albums

• No Mercy (1995)
• El Cartel (2000)
• El Cartel II (2001)
• ElCangri.com (2002)
• Los Homerun-Es Vol. 1 (2003)
• Barrio Fino (2004)
• Barrio Fino En Directo (2005)
• The Cartel: The Big Boss (2007)

[edit] Singles

• 2001: Tu Cuerpo En Mi Cama (featuring Nicky Jam)
• 2002: Latigazo
• 2002: Son Las Doce (featuring Nicky Jam)
• 2002: Guayando (featuring Nicky Jam)
• 2002: Muevete y Perrea
• 2003: Gata Gangster (featuring Don Omar)
• 2003: Seguroski* 2003: Party de Gangsters (Babilonia)
• 2004: Cójela Que Va Sin Jockey Mas Flow
• 2004: Aquí Esta Tu Caldo Blin Blin Vol. 1 (Radio Released)
• 2004: Gasolina #1 (US Latin, Mexico, Spain, Colombia), #3 (Italy), #7 (Germany), #8 (UK), #27 (Japan), #12 (Switzerland)
• 2004: King Daddy* 2004: Lo Que Pasó, Pasó #2 (US Latin)
• 2004: Salud y Vida
• 2004: Like You #78 US
• 2004: Machete Los Anormales (Radio Released)
• 2005: Corazones
• 2005: Tu Principe (featuring Zion y Lennox) #35 US Latin
• 2005: No Me Dejes Solo (featuring Wisin & Yandel)
• 2005: Rompe #1 US Latin, #24 US Hot 100
• 2005: Mirame (featuring Deevani) (Mas Flow 2)[Radio Released]
• 2006: Dale Caliente (Live) (Radio Released)
• 2006: Gangsta Zone (featuring Snoop Dogg)
• 2006: Machucando #2 US Latin
• 2006: Rompe (Remix) (featuring Lloyd Banks & Young Buck)
• 2006: Gangsta Zone (Remix) (featuring Héctor El Father, Yomo, Angel Doze, Arcangel Y De La Ghetto) [Radio Released] {Diss Track to Don Omar}Daddy Yankee was also in big pun 100% video
• 2006: El Truco
• 2007: Impacto (featuring Fergie)