Puerto Rico reggaeton 2000s ▶ 41.4M subscribers

Daddy Yankee

Daddy Yankee, born Ramón Luis Ayala Rodríguez, is a Puerto Rican rapper, singer and songwriter widely dubbed the "King of Reggaeton." He is frequently cited as an influence by other Hispanic urban performers.

Origins

He began his career in 1995 in Puerto Rico, rising through the island's emerging urban music scene to become one of its most visible and enduring figures before stepping back from performing in 2023.

The sound

His music sits at the heart of reggaeton, the rap- and singing-driven urban style that he helped push into the global mainstream.

Legacy

As a pioneer of reggaeton, Daddy Yankee shaped the sound and ambitions of an entire generation of Hispanic urban artists, a legacy reflected in how often he is named as an influence.

Signature song

Gasolina

"Gasolina" is his signature track, a breakout anthem that became one of reggaeton's most recognizable songs and helped carry the genre to worldwide audiences.