Daddy Yankee, born Ramón Luis Ayala Rodríguez in San Juan, Puerto Rico, started making music in the mid-1990s. His 2004 single "Gasolina" became a global phenomenon, taking reggaeton far beyond its Caribbean roots and earning him the nickname "El Jefe." That track's simple, relentless beat and chanted chorus turned it into a party staple worldwide.
He kept releasing albums like "El Cartel: The Big Boss" in 2007 and "Prestige" in 2012, but his reach expanded through collaborations. In 2017, his featured verse on Luis Fonsi's "Despacito" helped make that song one of the most-streamed tracks ever. More recently, he's worked with artists like Bad Bunny on "X ÚLTIMA VEZ" and Rauw Alejandro on "AGUA."
While his music has faced criticism for explicit lyrics, his influence on Latin pop is straightforward. He didn't invent reggaeton, but "Gasolina" opened doors for the genre commercially. His later hits show he could adapt as the sound evolved around him.
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