Introduction
Daddy Yankee, the “King of Reggaetón,” is undeniably one of the most successful Latino stars in music history. With numerous awards and chart-topping hits under his belt, his impact on the music industry is immense. However, unlike many celebrities who achieve his level of success, Daddy Yankee is notoriously private. The married father of three rarely discusses his family or private life in interviews and refuses to let the paparazzi photograph his loved ones. He claims that these details are the only aspects of his life that remain private, like a “little treasure.” While this is understandable, it leaves many intriguing facts about this legendary hitmaker undiscovered.
Here are five lesser-known facts about Daddy Yankee that might surprise you.
1. He Had a Different Career Path in Mind Before Music
Before fully committing to his music career, Daddy Yankee had his sights set on professional baseball. He even tried out for the MLB team Seattle Mariners. However, before he could officially be signed, fate intervened in the form of a stray AK-47 bullet.
2. The Shooting Incident Redirected His Focus to Music
The shooting occurred while Daddy Yankee was taking a break from a recording session with reggaeton icon DJ Playero. The bullet struck him in the hip, effectively ending any hopes of a Major League Baseball career due to the nearly two years of recovery required. Daddy Yankee credits the shooting with forcing him to concentrate on his music career. With over 18 million records sold since the incident, it may have seemed like a tragedy at the time, but it turned out to be a blessing in disguise.
3. He Endorsed John McCain for President in 2009
As we now know, Barack Obama won the race and went on to serve as the President of the United States for two terms. However, Daddy Yankee wasn’t in support of Obama. In 2009, he sided with then-Republican candidate John McCain, stating that McCain was a “fighter for the Hispanic community.” Regardless of whether you voted for McCain or Obama, you can’t fault Daddy Yankee for backing someone he believed would fight for his community.
4. He’s a Committed Humanitarian
In 2009, Daddy Yankee received Billboard’s Spirit of Hope Award for the work of his charity, Corazón Guerrero. The foundation’s primary focus is to improve educational standards and the quality of life for underprivileged children in Puerto Rico, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic.
5. He’s the First Latino Artist in History to Hit Number 1 on Spotify
In a career filled with broken records and accolades, this achievement must be one of the sweetest. On July 9th, 2017, the streaming service Spotify congratulated Daddy Yankee for becoming the #1 global artist on their platform. With over 44 million monthly listeners, he dethroned Ed Sheeran to become the first Latino artist ever to hold the rank of most-streamed artist on Spotify. A well-deserved congratulations is in order.
Conclusion
Daddy Yankee possesses the perfect blend of musical talent and charisma that propels careers to stardom. As an industry veteran, he shows no signs of slowing down. Expect more hits and shattered records in this artist/mogul/hitmaker’s future.
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