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Daddy Yankee
From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist
Daddy Yankee is the stage name of Ramón Luis Ayala Rodríguez, a Puerto Rican rapper, singer and songwriter, born in 1976. He first wanted to become a professional baseball player, but chose music after a shooting incident. In 1995 he independently released his debut album No Mercy. The follow-up El cangri.com from 2002 was successful in the United States. He is called the King of Reggaeton and is often cited as an example by other Spanish-language urban artists.
Music and breakthrough
The breakthrough came with Barrio fino in 2004, the best-selling Latin album of the 2000s. Its best-known single, Gasolina, was nominated for a Latin Grammy and is seen as the song that introduced reggaeton to a worldwide audience. El cartel: The Big Boss from 2007 reached the top ten of the Billboard 200. In 2017 he made Despacito with Luis Fonsi, the first Spanish-language song since Macarena in 1996 to top the American Hot 100. The accompanying video was for years the most-watched on YouTube.
Influence
In 2022 he announced his retirement, which took effect in December 2023 with a final performance in Puerto Rico. In 2025 he returned with Lamento and Baile. Among other honours he won five Latin Grammys and appeared in the Time 100 in 2006. Reggaeton combines rap and singing over a recognizable dembow rhythm, with Caribbean influences. Daddy Yankee turned that style into a worldwide phenomenon.
Listening
Gasolina · Daddy Yankee, 2004Apple Music ↗
Despacito · Luis Fonsi feat. Daddy Yankee, 2017Apple Music ↗
Discography
Studio albums
- 1995No Mercy
- 2002El cangri.com
- 2004Barrio fino
- 2007El cartel: The Big Boss
- 2008Talento de barrio (soundtrack)
- 2010Mundial
- 2012Prestige
- 2013King Daddy
- 2022LEGENDADDY
- 2025Lamento en baile
Mentioned in other articles
- Reggaeton Genre
In 2004, Daddy Yankee scored a worldwide hit with Gasolina, and Despacito (2017) by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee became one of the most streamed songs ever.