Daddy Yankee.

At age 13, Ramón Luis Ayala Rodríguez began rhyming and singing in Villa Kennedy, Santurce, Puerto Rico. His birth on February 3, 1976, placed him in a family that included brother Nomar — a name that spells Ramon backwards. He grew up immersed in the island’s emerging urban music scene. Early exposure to street culture and reggae-infused dancehall pushed him toward what became reggaeton.

Daddy Yankee’s first major record appearance came on DJ Tony Touch’s album The Piece-Maker. His breakthrough arrived in 2004 with Barrio Fino, his first internationally distributed album. The record went platinum in Puerto Rico and is considered one of reggaeton’s finest. He later founded El Cartel Records and won multiple Latin Grammys, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year. He and Nicky Jam have produced many hits together.

Daddy Yankee married Mireddys Gonzalez in 1995. The couple have three children: Yamilette Ayala González, Jeremy Ayala González, and Jesaaelys. He runs his own label, El Cartel Records, and has a brother named Melvin Ayala. His birth name, Ramon, is reflected in his brother Nomar — Ramon spelled backwards.

Daddy Yankee’s influence extends beyond multi-platinum sales: in 2006, Time magazine named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world, citing his role in reggaeton’s global growth. The Billboard Latin Music Hall of Fame inducted him, and he received the Spirit of Hope Award. His 2004 album Barrio Fino remains a touchstone. Fans remember him as The Big Boss of reggaeton.