The successful exponent of the reggaeton genre Ramn Luis Ayala Rodrguez, better known as Daddy Yankee (43), he became a celebrity among audiences fond of Latin music. He is a millionaire, popular and recognized for his art. However, he does not forget his humble origins. Neither have the teachings been left behind by some of his characteristics difficult past.
The artist experienced difficult moments in his life that accompanied him as part of his identity, even though he steps onto the red carpet of important events and shrugs off the most exclusive international celebrities.
The singer, producer, composer and businessman started his career at the age of 14 when he focused on Latin rap music and salsa. That was about that time, when I lived in a very modest neighborhood in Puerto Rico was hit by a bullet.
At the time, he debated between his interest in music and his desire to become a baseball player, the universe from which the artistic name of the King of Reggaetn comes. The anecdote was shared by himself in an interview he gave in 2017 about the El Hormiguero program.
His dream of becoming a professional player of the sport was cut short when he received a bullet that destroyed his hip and he had to take refuge in the music.
The bullet came from an AK-47 rifle and the singer confessed to having felt a tremendous impact followed by tremendous fear. After the bullet, he ran to hide to save his life and was helped by an addict from the neighborhood. For this reason, Daddy assures Yankee that he has never been prejudiced against them.
Although the sexual assault was apparently a mistake and the attacker wanted to harm another young man, drugs, violence and alcohol surrounded Daddy Yankee’s childhood years. These years were lagging behind as he achieved his first successes in music and his hit Gasolina put him on the international stage.
Nonetheless, the singer is adamant to keep his feet on the ground and not feed his ego. He still has his apartment in Puerto Rico because, according to his confession, it reminds him where he is from and that he has to keep working, in addition to his luxurious collection of cars, jewelry and fortune. His humility and roots are two of the hallmarks his audience connects most with, in addition to his infectious pace and magnetic personality.