An interviewer once asked Daddy Yankee what he thought the first time he heard reggaeton. In a now-iconic moment, he replied, “Heard [reggaeton]? No, we created it.”
The “Gasolina” and “Despacito” singer wasn’t exaggerating about his key role in the music industry, having sold about 20 million records to date. He is part of a group of Puerto Rican underground artists who, in the 1990s and early 2000s, created a groundbreaking new music genre that is now loved around the world.
While Daddy Yankee announced his retirement in March 2022, he will always be the king of reggaeton, pushing the envelope for Latin music. Follow his greatest life hits to find out how he became the reggaeton singer with the highest net worth.
He Is Credited With Coining the Term ‘Reggaeton’
Daddy Yankee helped coin the term ‘reggaeton’. Jae C. Hong / AP Photo
Daddy Yankee started his career in 1990 when he was only 13 years old. At this time, the new genre that was fusing Latin rap and reggae was simply called “underground.”
In 1992, he put out a song called “So Persigueme/No Te Detengas” (So Chase Me/Don’t Stop), where he calls his style “reggaeton.” The term, which means “super reggae” (or reggae Puerto Rican style), wouldn’t catch on until 1996, when producer DJ Nelson dropped an album called “Reggaetón Live.”
As the genre started becoming mainstream, it dropped the underground title altogether and became simply reggaeton.
Daddy Yankee Holds 10 Guinness World Records
Chris Pizzello / AP Photo
As of 2018, Daddy Yankee had broken 10 Guinness World Records, seven of which he broke with “Despacito.”
His titles are Most No. 1 singles on the Billboard Latin Rhythm Airplay chart, most titles charted on the Billboard Latin Rhythm Airplay chart, most viewed video online, most viewed music video online, most viewed music video on YouTube (duet), most weeks at No.1 in the USA (single), most liked video online, first YouTube video to receive 5 billion views, most streamed track worldwide, and first Latin artist to hit No.1 on Spotify.
But Before Retiring, He’ll Put Out One Last Album
Charles Sykes / AP Photo
Not one to go out quietly, Daddy Yankee will tie up his retirement with a pretty bow in the form of one last album.
Fittingly, the album is titled “Legendaddy.” Once again, he proves that he is not the most humble person, but also that his bragging is well-earned.
He will also be doing a final world tour, “La Ultima Vuelta Tour” (The Last Lap or The Last Round), a 41-date tour around the United States, Canada and Latin America, starting in Portland, Ore., on Aug. 10 and ending in Mexico City on Dec. 2.
