Daddy Yankee

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Ramón (Raymond) Ayala (born on February 3, 1977 in San Juan, Puerto Rico), known artistically as Daddy Yankee, is a Latin Grammy Award-winning Puerto Rican reggaeton recording artist.

1 Musical career
2 Feuds
3 Film and other career projects
4 Charitable work
5 Discography
6 DVD
7 Movies
8 References
9 External links

[edit] Musical career

Ayala was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico and he was influenced by several musicians his family including his father and some of his mother's relatives.^[1] During his childhood he used to practice singing, and focused in the improvisation of lyrics. Although Ayala first aspired to join the ranks of baseball’s Major Leagues, his MVP dreams were crushed by an unfortunate accident – at age seventeen, he was caught in the crossfire of a barrio gun-battle and shot twice. One bullet grazed his arm. Another, from an AK-47, hit him in the leg, leaving him with a permanent limp.^[2] Following this incident he developed interes in a "underground rap" movement, wich at the moment was in a early organizational stage.^[3] This led him to become more interested in the events that took place in the neighborhood where he was raised, a public housing project name Villa Kennedy.^[1] Early in this career he attemted to imitate the style presented by Vico C. He was subsecuently instructed by other artists in the genre including DJ Playero, DJ Nelso and DJ Goldy in order to develop a original style.^[3] This led to him eventually abandoning the traditional model of rap and becoming one of the first artists to perform reggaeton.^[3] Ayala's first recorded with DJ Playero, as a featured artist in a production titled Playero 37 wich was published in 1992.^[4] His first album was prouced in 1995, when Ayala was eighteen years old and was titled No Mercy.^[4]

His sudden ascent to wealth was largely a result of the hit Reggaeton 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 500,000 copies in the United States alone and has sold well throughout Latin America and worldwide.

He has appeared on over 70 albums, including compilations such as; "Mas Flow 2" and "Blin Blin Vol. 1". He performed with Nicky Jam from the late-90s to early 2000s until they had a dispute. He has also performed with Luny Tunes, DJ Blass, Dj Dicky, DJ Eric, Eliel, Nas, DJ Tony Touch, Lloyd Banks, Young Buck, Snoop Dogg, Fergie, and 50 cent and many others.

He was regarded as one of the 100 most influential people by TIME magazine.^[5]

On June 5, 2007, Ayala released his new album entitled "El Cartel: The Big Boss." Ayala has stated that his new album will mark a return to his Hip Hop roots as opposed to being considered a strictly reggaeton album.^[6] The album features guest appearances from Akon, Nicole Scherzinger of the Pussycat Dolls, Hectors El Father, Will.i.am and Fergie of The Black Eyed Peas.

[edit] Feuds

Daddy Yankee and Don Omar have a well-publicized feud. Daddy Yankee has stated that the origins of their feud will be explained in his new album, El Cartel: The Big Boss. They are no longer feuding.^[6]

[edit] Film and other career projects

In 2006, Ayala introduced his own clothing line, named DY. He also teamed up with Reebok to have his own shoes and sporting goods, which were released on May 23, 2006. ^[6] Reebok continued the alliance with Ayala with the introduction of Travel Trainer collection in July 2007. Ayala also hosts "Daddy Yankee On Fuego", a syndicated radio show from ABC Radio Networks. He is working with on his movie which will be titled Talento De Barrio.

Ayala, with Andres Hernandez, is one of the owners of El Cartel Records.

[edit] Charitable work

Ayala created the "Fundación Corazón Guerrero" charitable organization in Puerto Rico, which works with young incarcerated people.^[7] The foundation helps troubled youth and ex-convicts in computer skills to encourage them to lead a positive lifestyle after their release.^[8]