Music of Puerto Rico - Artists: Yankee Daddy

Daddy Yankee - Reggaeton

Known in the reggaeton music scene as Daddy Yankee, "El Cangri" and King of Improvization, Raymond Ayala was born on 3 Febuary, 1977 in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico.

Singing since his early teens, Ayala takes up social issues much as most rappers and reggaeton artists do; making reggaeton a true representation of the youth that are the primary market for this fast growing genre.

Ayala's professional career began by singing with well known DJ, Playero and became well known in Puerto Rico. He recorded the song "Posición" with Alberto Style in 1998, which appeared in the soundtrack of the movie, One Tough Cop. Another of his songs appeared on the Piece Maker album produced by Tony Touch in 2000.

Ayala's first album, El Cartel which reached Platinum record status, was followed by volume 2, El Cartel II which was released in 2001 and also reached Platinum in sales. These immediately established him in the crowded and confusing field of reggaeton artists.

Since then, Daddy Yankee released El Cangri.com which was well received in 2002, featured a duet with Lito: "El Gran Robo".

Ayala earned the title of "King of Improvization" by winning the Street Jam Regaae Award for five years in a row. His most recent album: Homerun: Es Vol. 1 was released in 2003, and this song, Cojela Que Va Sin Jockey (lyrics) was released in the "Más Flow" album by Luny Tunes and Noriega.

Although known primarily for his work in the reggaeton genre, Ayala has also performed and recorded salsa and merengue as evidenced by his collaboration with Grupo Mania on their album: "The Dynasty" and his concert appearances with merengue super-star, Olga Tañon. and salsa star, Domingo Quiñones

Presently, Ayala is considered to be among the very best of Puerto Rico's reggaeton artists.