Biography:

Daddy Yankee did more than anyone to establish reggaeton as a marketable music style. His success was so phenomenal in the wake of his 2004 mainstream breakthrough, Barrio Fino -- and in particular the international hit "Gasolina" -- he transcended cultural boundaries and genre trappings. He became more than just a reggaetonero; he transformed himself into an international name brand. By the time of his 2007 follow-up album, El Cartel: The Big Boss, for example, his name, image, and music were used to sell soft drinks for Pepsi and footwear for Reebok, as well as a syndicated show for ABC Radio Networks (Daddy Yankee on Fuego) and a feature film for Paramount Pictures (Talento de Barrio).

Daddy Yankee indeed had become a business empire, of which the primary asset, his music, remained independent from major-label control: he keenly operated his own independent label, El Cartel Records, and chose to partner with labels such as Interscope only for purposes of marketing and distribution, rather than sign himself and his publishing to them outright.

The stage was well set for Daddy Yankee's mainstream breakthrough, Barrio Fino (2004), which was released in July 2004 (by VI Music in conjunction with Universal Music Group Distribution) and debuted at number one on the Top Latin Albums chart. It was the first reggaeton album to reach the number one spot. Like any mogul- in-the-making, Daddy Yankee continues to fulfill his tireless potential, always remaining true to his roots and proudly waving the Puerto Rican flag in the name of his country and of all Latino people.

Discography:

• Talento de Barrio (August 2008)

• El Cartel: The Big Boss (June 2007)

• Tormenta Tropical, Vol. 1 (July 2006)

• Ahora Le Toca Al Cangri (March 2005)

• Los Homerun-es (March 2005)

• Barrio Fino en Directo (December 2005)

Websites:

• www.daddyyankee/myspace.com

• www.daddyyankee.com

Courtesy of myspace.com, daddyyankee.com