| The rhythm of reggaeton has ruled over Latino and | | | | known as "El Cangri" (roughly translated as "cool cat" |
| Hispanic communities since the early 1990s, and the | | | | or "sexiest man"), Daddy Yankee today is arguably |
| ruler of reggaeton these days is a worldwide | | | | reggaeton's "Big Boss," another of his nicknames and |
| superstar known as Daddy Yankee. | | | | possibly an homage to rock superstar Bruce |
| A form of urban music, reggaeton originated in | | | | Springsteen, whose nickname is "The Boss." |
| Panama as a blend of West Indian music such as | | | | Ayala's stage name, "Daddy Yankee," derives partly |
| Jamaican reggae and dancehall with the Latin | | | | form his admiration for hip hop artist Big Daddy Kane, |
| American beat found in salsa, merengue, cumbia and | | | | and partly from his love of baseball's New York |
| the like. However, reggaeton also combines these | | | | Yankees. Daddy Yankee rarely performs without his |
| potent rhythms with the pulse of hip hop, | | | | trademark Yankees baseball cap. He planned to be a |
| contemporary R&B and electronica influences, | | | | professional baseball player himself like so many |
| shown in the genre's characteristic rapping or singing in | | | | Puerto Rican stars, but a bullet wound in his leg when |
| Spanish. With all these influences, however, reggaeton | | | | he was 16 shattered his diamond dreams. Instead |
| today is closely associated with Puerto Rico, where | | | | Daddy Yankee turned to reggaeton music, a career |
| the music first became popular and where the majority | | | | change that has probably brought him far more |
| of its current stars have their roots. | | | | success than baseball would have. |
| Lyrics in reggaeton tend to resemble more hip hop | | | | From his debut in a 1995 compilation of reggaeton |
| than dancehall, with universal themes that appeal | | | | music, Daddy Yankee has risen to the top rank of the |
| especially to urban youth. Like hip hop and its "gangsta" | | | | global phenomenon that reggaeton has become. |
| or "thug life" identity, reggaeton has its share of | | | | Today he is not only a singer, but also a songwriter, |
| controversies involving explicit lyrics extolling violence | | | | actor, producer and composer of film music, |
| and demeaning women, as well as "wars" between | | | | broadcaster and businessman. In 2006 he was |
| artists, in which the musicians "diss" one another in their | | | | included in Time Magazine's 100 most influential people |
| songs. | | | | in the world. In summer 2009 he was wowing |
| Reggaeton gained mainstream exposure in 2004, | | | | audiences in Ecuador and Argentina, where his |
| when Daddy Yankee's megahit, "Gasolina," from his | | | | concerts resulted in a platinum disc for his latest album, |
| album "Barrio Fino" flew around the world, drawing in | | | | "Talento de Barrio," the soundtrack of his 2008 |
| North American, European and Asian audiences. | | | | Paramount Pictures movie of the same name. |
| "Barrio Fino" initially sold more than 10 million copies | | | | Like many a music mogul who worked his way up |
| worldwide, making Daddy Yankee the first reggaeton | | | | from poverty to worldwide fame and fortune, Daddy |
| singer to earn a platinum disc. Ultimately, after an | | | | Yankee now uses his wealth and influence to benefit |
| international tour that included France, Russia, Poland | | | | the less fortunate. He created Corazón Guerrero, a |
| and most of Latin America, "Barrio Fino" earned its star | | | | foundation dedicated to helping ex-inmates in Puerto |
| six platinum discs, signifying global sales of 60 million | | | | Rico to re-enter society. He also has started projects |
| albums. | | | | to build schools and youth centers and improve |
| Born Raymond Ayala on Feb. 3, 1977 in San Juan, | | | | housing for poor people in Colombia, Bolivia and the |
| Puerto Rico, Daddy Yankee has been the artist most | | | | Dominican Republic. |
| responsible for the globalization of reggaeton. Also | | | | |