DADDY YANKEE
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW
With Guest Interviewer Griselle Garcia

GG: Hello, How are you?
DY: Good, Griselle, right?

GG: Yes, Are you ready for me?
DY: (Laughter) Yeah

GG: Good, Now what is your legal name?
DY: My name? Daddy Yankee but my legal name is Ramon *****

GG: When is your birthday?
DY: My birthday is Feb 3rd.

GG: And the year?
DY: I don’t want to tell you, it’s bad luck.

GG: Do you have a family of your own?
DY: Yes, but I don’t like to discuss my private life.

GG: What are your favorite foods?
DY: My favorite food is arroz, habichuelas y chuletas..

GG: I know how to make that real good.
DY: Really.. De donde eres?

GG: Well, I am from New Jersey, but my family is Dominican.
DY: Really.. Dominican Republic is like a second home to me.
GG: That’s cool. I have a lot of family that live there. They will love to cook for you. (laughter)

GG: How did you start your career? How old were you?
DY: I was 13, I was in Puerto Rico.

GG: What was your earliest production?
DY: My first production as a solo artist? I recorded a lot before, but my first album. It was called “No Mercy” I was 18 years old. It was me and Playero.

GG: Tell me about your latest production?
DY: The album is called “Barrio Fino”

GG: Who have you worked with?
DY: I have worked with, Lil Jon, Nina Sky, Nori, and I recently recorded with Elephant Man.

GG: What did you have to do to get yourself on a compilation?
DY: I wanted to keep it real and talk about the streets, that’s where I am from.

GG: Tell me about your record label, the staff..
DY: The name of my label “El Kartel”. Some of my staff is Tomy Monserrate y DJ Urba, Looney Tunes and Noriega was involved but they did not produce on the album.

GG: Interesting.. Who are your producers?
DY: Mainly, DJ Urba and me.

GG: Do you write your own lyrics?
DY: Yeah, Part of being a good rapper is to be able to express myself in my lyrics.

GG: Is there anyone you want to show gratitude for your accomplishments in the industry?
DY: God..

GG: True.. True.. What other plans do you have for Daddy Yankee? Designing your own clothes?
DY: Right now, I am looking at some deals. I have been offered some great ones and I am working on a movie. “ Talento Del Barrio”. It’s not an autobiography about me, just a film about the streets and the game.

GG: Do you think you are considered to be a “one hit wonder” with “La Gasolina”.
DY: No, I got plenty of songs on the streets. “Yankee, Metele Con Candela”. I have been doing music all my life. I would do better songs than “La Gasolina”. I have other songs like “Lastigazo”. I would do a new concept not “La Gazolina” again..”

GG: How was your collaboration with Ricky Martin on March 7th, 2005?
DY: I never recorded with Ricky.

GG: You never associated with Ricky or recorded with him?
DY: (Laughter) Yeah, I went to his house but it was just to talk about music, no recording. (Giggle) I still get surprised of people knowing my business.

GG: The poperatsis, (Giggle) So, Where do you see yourself in 5 yrs?
DY: I see myself behind a desk running my record label.

GG: So at that time, you don’t see yourself recording?
DY: Yes, of course.

GG: What advice do you have for artist’s struggling to make it?
DY: Be Real.. Be Yourself.. If you have the talent to be a great rapper.. It takes dedication, discipline and charisma, be responsible.

GG: Are you on tour right now?
DY: Yes, I just made a stop in Miami. I am going to Europe, like Spain..

GG: Who do you want to work with?
DY: I want to work with Dre, um Jada, Willy Colon and Ruben Blades. Yeah, Willy and Ruben, I really want to work with..

GG: What else can we expect from Daddy Yankee?
DY: Wait for the album. The next album is “El Cartel”. I have six new songs and a “Machete” remix.

GG: What do you want to say to your fans?
DY: Thanks for the support and love.. Many thanks..

GG: Well, Ramon it was great meeting you. When you come to New Jersey, you have a friend here.
DY: You too.. Anytime you come to Puerto Rico, you have a friend here too.
That concludes my interview with Daddy Yankee. Daddy Yankee is a true inspiration to all upcoming reggaeton performers. God bless him!