He released two compilation albums: El Cartel and El Cartel II, in 19, respectively. In 1997, Daddy Yankee collaborated with the rapper Nas, who was an inspiration for Ayala, in the song "The Profecy", for the album Boricua Guerrero. In doing so, he eventually abandoned the traditional model of rap and became one of the first artists to perform reggaeton. He went on to emulate other artists in the genre, including DJ Playero, DJ Nelson, and DJ Drako, taking elements from their styles in order to develop an original style. Early in his career he attempted to imitate the style of Vico C. His first official studio project as a solo artist was No Mercy, which was released on Apthrough White Lion Records and BM Records in Puerto Rico. He made a few songs talking about the shooting incident, but his most "complete" song about it was "6 De Enero", released in 2012.
The bullet was never removed and he credits this incident with allowing him to pursue a musical career.
Ayala was originally going to become a professional baseball player but he was shot in his leg while taking a break from a studio recording session. He first appeared on the 1992 DJ Playero's Mixtape, Playero 34, with the song "So' Persigueme, No Te Detengas". He was named by CNN as the Most Influential Hispanic Artist of 2009, and by Time Magazine as one of the 100 Most Influential in the World in 2006.ĭaddy Yankee is often considered to be one of the first pioneers of Reggaeton music. He also received a Puerto Rican Walk of Fame Star, special awards by People en Español magazine, and the Presencia Latina at Harvard University. He has won a Latin Grammy Award, 2 Billboard Music Awards, 14 Billboard Latin Music Awards, 2 Latin American Music Awards, 8 Lo Nuestro Awards, an MTV Video Music Award and 6 ASCAP Awards.
As of April 2017, he has won 82 awards from 270 nominations since his raise to international fame in 2004. Daddy Yankee's album Barrio Fino made history when it became the top-selling Latin music album of the decade between 2000–2009.ĭaddy Yankee has received various awards and nominations throughout his career. Since then, he has sold over 18 million albums.
In 2004, Daddy Yankee released his internationally acclaimed single "Gasolina", which is credited with introducing reggaeton to audiences worldwide, and making the music genre a global phenomenon. Ayala spent roughly one and a half years recovering from the wound the bullet was never removed from his hip, and he credits the shooting incident with allowing him to focus entirely on a music career. Before he could be officially signed, he was hit by a stray round from an AK-47 rifle while taking a break from a studio recording session with reggaeton mix tape icon DJ Playero. Ayala aspired to be a professional baseball player, and tried out for the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball.