Raymond Ayala (born on February 3, 1977 in Rio Piedras, San Juan, Puerto Rico), known publicly as Daddy Yankee, is the highly successful Puerto Rican reggaeton recording artist. He is sometimes referred to as El Cangri (shortened form of CangrimГЎn, which in turn is a corruption of the English word congressman, and used in Puerto Rico to describe a brazenly powerful or influential person). Ayala is famous for recording songs in both English and Spanish, although the latter is more prominently used.

Ayala first became involved in recording music in the early 1990s alongside DJ Playero, a pioneer of reggaeton music. He rapped as a hobby, in private parties organized by friends in his neighborhood, the Villa EspaГ±a housing project in San Juan. At the time he was also involved in some minor illegal activities. By the time he reached the age of seventeen he was shot in his legs at a skirmish with rivals. This experience was an eye opener to him, and he swore off illegal activities for good (his brother Melvin became a born-again Christian -and eventually a Christian minister- at the insistence of Raymond, who persuaded him strongly enough to not follow a lifestyle similar to what he had experienced until then). He then pursued music as a full-time profession, and explored reggaeton as his main musical style at a time when straight rap and hip hop were the norm in Puerto Rico.

Ayala's persistence over ten years eventually paid off. His sudden ascent to wealth and fame was a result of the hit song Gasolina, from his 2004 album "Barrio Fino". The album has sold over 1,000,000 copies in Puerto Rico alone and has also sold well in the United States and Europe.

He has appeared on over 70 albums, including compilations such as; "MГЎs Flow 2" and "Blin Blin Vol. 1". He has also performed with Nicky Jam, Luny Tunes, DJ Blass, DJ Eric, Eliel, Nas, DJ Tony Touch, Lloyd Banks, Young Buck and many others. In Italy, his international hit Gasolina is being used in a TV Ad campaign for the new 2006 CitroГ«n C2 Deejay. The commercial will run through the spring and summer 2005.

In 2005, Ayala was cast in a Paramount Pictures film, tentatively titled Talento de Barrio (Barrio talent). Ayala says that although the movie is not autobiographical, it does represent the lives of himself and others living on the streets of Latin America. The movie is expected to premiere on DVD in Spring 2006.

Also due out in 2006 is Ayala's own clothing line, named DY. He has also teamed up with Reebok to have his own shoes and sporting goods, to be available on May 23, 2006.

Ayala also hosts "Daddy Yankee On Fuego", a syndicated radio show from ABC Radio Networks.

Discography

Albums

Singles

• 2002: "Latigazo"
• 2003: "Gata Gangster" ft. Don Omar
• 2003: "Seguroski"
• 2004: "Gasolina" #1 US Latin, #5 UK, #12 France, #27 Japan, #3 Italy, #1 Mexico, #1 Spain, #1 Colombia, #21 Australia, #12 Switzerland, #7 Germany, #9 Billboard Hot 100 Europe
• 2004: "Lo Que PasГі, PasГі" #2 US Latin
• 2004: "Like You" #78 US
• 2005: "Tu Principe" ft. Zion y Lennox #35 US Latin
• 2006: "Rompe" #1 US Latin, #24 US
• 2006: "Gangsta Zone" ft. Snoop Dogg
• 2006: "Machucando" #2 US Latin
• 2006: "Rompe (Remix)" ft. Lloyd Banks & Young Buck

Movies

• 2004: Vampiros
• 2006: Talento De Barrio

External links

• Official website
• Daddy Yankee Concert Photos
• Daddy Yankee On Fuego Radio Show Website
• Daddy Yankee (Reggaetonline.net)
• Daddy Yankee News (fansite)
• Daddy Yankee (Terra)