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So, I started to sing. When I heard the beat, I started to sing "nananana nananana nanana", and people told me, "Hey, that sounds good". I looked for a girl at the studio and told her, "Work on this, please."... And she did it. Then I started to sing, "rompe, rompe, rompe" and I said, "Hey, this sounds good!"... So, I went into the recording studio, and I started to record it: rompe, rompe...

Ok, not because you had thought about a song that would be called Rompe or anything. The "nananana" part inspired "Rompe"?

Yes, and I recorded the song right then. Ella me levantó was a song that I created while on vacation. I was on a jet ski. I was with my nephews, and then they started to say, "Uncle, sing something, please." And I went,

te quise más que al mismo cielo, te quise más que a las estre... Improvising, just like that. When I was playing, I was singing the song, and I thought, "This is good. This is really nice!" So, I asked my nephews, "Did you like it?" They said, "Yes, sing it again!" Te quise... And when they sang it again, I said: "Ok...This is catchy!"

It's a hit.

It's a hit.

Ok. They're telling me that the audience wants to ask several questions.

Right now, if you were about to create a duet, which artist would you have in mind to sing with you?

Among Latin artists... Juan Luis Guerra.

Have you spoken to him?

We have not proposed anything, but…

Let's propose this to him. He will be here on the show. We can propose this to him!

He knows. He knows I admire him, of course.

I want to ask you something. What's the last dream you have achieved? ...with anyone?

That's a good question. It was the dream I had of establishing a foundation. It was really important for me to create a foundation. I know there's a God up there, and because of him anything is possible. And because of him, I am here with you, and I am who I am. I have to share everything he has given me, in the same way, with the less fortunate people. So, I was really unsatisfied. I said, "My God, give me a chance. Let me organize myself in such a way to do what I have to do. And, thank God, I now have the Corazón Guerrero Foundation. We are helping young men look for a job when they get out of jail. I mean, it's difficult for them to get a job. And, if they can't find one, they go back to their old ways. Also, in The Dominican Republic, we are building a soup kitchen in Santiago de los Caballeros, for the Tamarindo neighborhood. We have already purchased the land, and we expect the soup kitchen to be opened next year. And, I support an orphanage in The Dominican Republic. We are rebuilding it for the kids there.

[clapping]

I love that about Corazón Guerrero, because those are forgotten people. How did you get involved with this? Is there anybody who inspired you to do it?

Well, by helping others, I help myself. Remember, this is a world of fantasy. Understand? So, I have this vision. Nobody can fool me. There are lots of cameras, everything looks so beautiful. But at the same time, it's all a movie. You know what I mean? So, I'm focused on that. I never lose sight of reality, of the perspective of what I have to accomplish. That's why I'm always wearing my Reebok and the... put in place.

Ha, ha, ha. Ok, here's another question. Daddy Yankee and many other boricua singers have been the inspiration for the movement in Cuba. Have you ever thought to visit Cuba and hold a concert there?

You know, that's one of the things I would love to do. You know, out of respect to the people in Miami and I acted in good faith, it might create politic chaos. You know what I mean? So I prefer to keep things the way they are. And when the moment comes to go there, I will go. I even receive letters from Cuba, and I answer them myself.

Really...

From a lot of fans there. I received three...

But how? On the Internet?

No...

Hand-written letters.

Yes, I have received three and have been very surprised. I say, "Great!". And they probably can't believe I answer their letters, but I actually do. I answer them. I answer the e-mails. Sometimes, I am in MySpace, but they don't believe it. They say, "No, it's not you," I say, "It's me!" What else can I do?

That's the publicist.

Exactly.

Well, we will have more questions later. But right now, Don't move, because there is so much left to learn about Daddy Yankee.

[clapping]

For all of you who love music, we are sharing a great experience. Today we have Raymond Ayala, Daddy Yankee, on the tumbadoras, playing in ten brief seconds.

No, I better accompany you on the piano because I get frightened playing by myself.

Well, usually I don't play this, but I admit last weekend I listened to a song of Yankee's, "Coraza Divina", which has a tumbao of piano, And I said, "Ok I'll practice the tumbao in order to accompany him."

Ready?

Ok, let's see how it goes, slowly.

Go ahead.

[playing piano]

[Daddy Yankee singing]

Yo, yo, en Puerto Rico nace un niño el 3 de febrero, hijo de una fajona y un padre bien callejero, después que soñaba con ser pelotero pero una bala destruyó su sueño verdadero, en Villa Kennedy se une con DJ playero, desde la calle revolucionan al mundo entero, la maldad se percata que fue el niño elegido, bendecido y su misión es verlo destruido. ¿Pero tú sabes qué chamaco? tengo coraza divina, ye, ye, yea.

[clapping]

...and the accompaniment was successful.

That was one of the first songs, the introduction of the song Coraza Divina.

Or, maybe I'm wrong, because it begins like this: Tengo coraza divina. El poder que mi camino ilumina, ten cuidado ave de mal agüero. Esos pensamientos que no te fallen porque yo ando protegido en la calle y aunque se avecinen tiempos severos, voy pa’ lante con mi tren guerrero. There

Great.

[clapping]

Yeah, yeah... little rumbeo?

And do you play the piano?

No, I'm a "rookie". I'm still taking baby steps with the piano.

Are you taking lessons?

Yes, I'm taking lessons. But I just know how to play a little montuno, the same as you.

Do you enjoy improvising, or not?

Oh, no, no, no. I have a key, a key. D: Let's see if it goes well.

[clapping]

Six months from now, we will see you at a concert, and you'll be playing the piano.

I'm supposed to be playing the piano in six or seven months. But, I have little time to practice. And as a music lover, I think the piano is an instrument you can really grow with. I started with lessons not very long ago. But I expect to be better in a year, you know, and be able to create, all by myself.

Listen, are you a singer before anything else?

Yes.

When are we going to hear you singing a ballad or something like that?

Well, I have composed many ballads, but I don't dare to sing them. That's the point.

When are you going to sing them?

Well, whenever the chance comes up, is what I say. I'm creating one right now. I make them more modern. I make them sound non-traditional. Currently I have one, Ya No Hay Amor which is part of the soundtrack for the movie Talento de barrio.

Well, that's great.

But, they are more R&B, you know... It's the style I know better.

"Ya No Hay Amor"?

Yes.

Will you sing a little part of it? So when the movie is released, we can say we listened to it here first.

No, let's leave it as a surprise.

Really?

Yes, as a surprise. And some day I will come, and I will sing it when it is released. And I will tell you, "This is the song." We are promoting it. It's a type of song I have never sung before, but I think I'm capable of singing it. Also, I sing merengue, salsa, reggaeton.

Of course, you have the potential. It's wonderful having you here singing into my ear. I'm thinking, "Wow, this guy could be a salsero!"

Yes, being boricua... you know, you are born with rumba. When I recorded the song Coraza Divina, it happened really quickly, you know. If you ask a Dominican to sing a merengue, he is going to sing it immediately. A Colombian with a vallenato as well, because it comes from their blood.

"Coraza Divina" is kind of the history of your life, isn't it?

Yes, it's a little biography. And, it's about what I stand for in life. If you listen to the song from the beginning, that's everything that has happened to me up until today... that I am the leader of an urban movement, but at the same time there have been obstacles along the road.

A lot.

Yes, every day I wake up, and there are people saying this or that about Yankee, And I say, "Wow! There are 30,000 people out there, and I am here alone." So when I think about that... I laugh, because I'm always with God. Anyway, those 30,000 people aren't doing anything.

And, you have another song on that record. It's called Todos Quieren a Raymond.

Todos Quieren A Raymond"

I love that one because it's a total mockery of everybody.

Exactly. And you know, people should understand I try hard to make a living. And I'm not part of the jet set. It's just that, there's no place in there for me. You know what I mean? You will more likely see me hanging around with my buddies from the neighborhood. You can see me with anyone... always with my people, you know. It's unusual that you see me next to... with any other artist. I like that better... being around with my people. But I don't deny I look for opportunity everywhere, and I appreciate the support of the people. And I think that it is because I am so open that anyone can identify with me.

Well, I just wanted to ask you, after watching you on stage, being larger than life, wearing your bling, and all of that stuff, and yet knowing that off of the stage, you have three children, and you have your home... Do you feel like you are two different people?

Oh, yes. Daddy Yankee is different when on stage. I ask myself sometimes. I say, "Wow! I'm really different when I'm on stage." You know, it's kind of... I really live in the moment, you know. It's pure adrenalin, energy always high, I never stop. And when the show is over, I'm exactly the opposite. I am a quiet person, a laidback person. I don't talk very much. People see me on the streets. I say hello to them, and they say, "Oh, what a quiet guy he is!" I've always been like that.

Good boy!

Yes, they say I'm a good person. I hang around with my friends and family, and I'm always analizing and studying everything.

Ok, listen. If I ask you to improvise about the other Daddy Yankee, would you do it?

Daddy Yankee? Oh, my God.

Reveal Raymond Ayala.

Ok. 1990, Raymond Ayala Rodríguez, a little boy who decides one night he wants to be a famous rapper, grabs a notepad and starts writing. Not afraid of failing, he pursues his own dream. You know, I'm here with Leila Cobo, on her show, seeking fame, seeking my own fortune. I can't deny it because that's the way it is. But I am really humble. Raymond Ayala... the one from your neighborhood. I never forget where I came from. Under one flag, I represent every nation. I try everyday, when stepping onto the stage, to shatter all of the rhymes. This is who I am. 100% humble, having fun and more fun. I have a joke for everything. But don't take it too far, papi! I'm not kidding when I go to mass and you disrespect me. I am telling you this even when you have all of your cameras on me... It's me, Daddy Yankee, pure adrenalin, "La Gasolina", "Lo Que Pasó, Pasó", "Rompe". To all of those chicks, who also see my bumper, I thank you all for all of your support. I'm Daddy Yankee, 100% strong, with my father's blessing, and that of the Holy Spirit, representing the Latin people and my Tierra del Encanto. Daddy Yankee, yo! What can I say?

[crowd cheering and clapping]

Great, well done.

That's who I am. I am always making rhymes.

Stay where you are. We'll be right back with more music and more Daddy Yankee.

Yeah.

Yeah.

[clapping]

We are speaking with Daddy Yankee. He's been telling us about reggaeton's history, and his own life history as well. I remember a couple of years ago... I interviewed you for a very important Billboard show, and somebody said to me, "This guy sings reggaeton, but that will become old-fashioned". "...and what is he going to talk about? ...being a reggaetonero?" After all this time, you have proven what are you made of. What do you have to say to those people?

First of all, people always thought reggaeton was kind of... something in fashion. I have been doing this for 16 years, and something in fashion lasts less than that, ok? Reggaeton is already an established genre, but people don't understand that. So, they criticize it. Every time a new voice, from a new generation comes around, it clashes with the traditional mind. It was the same way with my father when salsa appeared. They also said, "This is crazy!", when the hippies came up with their cry for peace, which represented a generation. That's the same thing with us. And the ones who understand us, feel ok about it. But the ones who don't, usually criticize us. They don't have any idea what they are talking about. They always say, "You use the women" But, these women are smart. They are the number one consumers of this genre. Do you understand? They are intelligent. They are not supporting something that is insulting to them. But women are also sexy and daring. You know? Let's be realistic. Let's speak honestly. You go to a club, and you don't see anybody preaching in there. Do you understand? You go to a club to dance and to have fun with your date. I say to people who have told me that, "Do you like bolero?" And they say, "Yes, I love romantic songs. They send a beautiful message." And I say, "You know what? My grandfather used to touch my grandmother's butt while listening to boleros!" You understand?

Ha, ha ha

And that's the truth about that romantic music you listen, and the person there doesn't know what to say. Do you understand? So, reggaeton is the new thing.

What you have done is not only about music. I think it's important that you talk about how you have changed the way that the music industry is managed. You have your own record label, your own distribution, your own publishing house. You are signing now with Interscope through your own label. Why? Why didn't you just sign with a big label and say, "promote my records"?

When I started, I'm not lying... I wanted to sign with someone else. But the Latin industry saw a new genre at its doorstep. But, they thought it wouldn't be successful. That's when young guys like me had to manufacture our own records. And, I had to distribute them by myself. I had to pay for promotions, for the videos, because as kids we created a sub-culture. We created our own movement, and our own merchandising system. What happened? When the genre exploded, "Oh, we want to sign you!" "You want to sign me?" "I'm the one who signs you." This is the price for one of my records. "How much will you offer, a penny?" "You are crazy!" Do you know what I mean?

Yes.

I laughed at them. They said, "This way you sell more." And I said to them, "By selling fewer, I will get more!" Do you understand? The real truth is that there are people who you see selling millions of records. But, there are people selling thousands, and they are the ones who really seek the fortune.

But, you sell millions, and you still seek your fortune. So that's great!

Ha, ha, ha. It's a big blessing. Daddy Yankee's music is coming, because look, I am by myself. But in the industry, Barrio Fino comes out as a hit, and they say, "Wow, this guy sold two million? Who is he signed with?" "No, it's just him, by himself." Can you imagine? Two million by myself!

Yes, impressive.

It was a big blessing. I was excited about signing with a major label. What happened with Jimmy Lovine, from Interscope? He knew what I wanted, because everybody had told him, "The guy won't sign if there is not this amount." I sat down with him, and I asked, "Do you have it?" He said, "Yes." "Ok, let's do business", ha, ha, ha.

That's true. Ok, I'm going to put you up against the wall. Let's start with our Billboard "Top 20". You have to answer as quickly as I ask. Don't think too much.

I'm not thinking.

The best gift from a fan?

Best gift?

The one you remember the most.

A cuddly toy, very similar to me, and I don't know how she did it, but...

Ok. The biggest lie you have told in an interview?

Oh, no, no. None. I'm completely transparent.

Describe your perfect night.

My perfect night? My perfect night is to sleep calmly, sleep peacefully.

Two records you would take with you to a desert island.

Two records? I'll take... the one from Jay-Z, "Blueprint", and the one from... Willie Colón and Rubén Blades.

What song makes you cry?

There's a song, a Christian song, that makes me cry every time I hear it.

A Christian song?

Yes, a Christian song. Every time I sing it, or the kids sing it to me, I have to go away because, my God, it touches me.

So I better not ask you to sing it because you'll cry. No, don't sing it...

What do you spend your money on too much?

Well, I spend my money on real estate. I invest a lot.

What would you give as a present to Juan Luis Guerra?

To Juan Luis? A bigger pot for him to prepare a bigger sancocho. A bigger sancocho for my people in Santiago, because I will open the soup kitchen, "Corazón Guerrero" there. A bigger pot.

And to Ricky Martin?

To Ricky? A day of exciting music. Ricky loves music! As long as you have music around Ricky, he's happy. He's my buddy. I respect him a lot.

Do you wear pijamas to sleep, or not?

No, just boxers.

Ha, ha, ha.

I sleep in boxers. That's all.

What is it that men don't understand about women?

Why they fight so much.

With you?

Yes. Sometimes they fight about things they don't need to.

Your worst defect?

Perhaps, it's a virtue. I'm sincere. But sometimes people don't want to listen to what you have to say, so you have stand their attitude.

Ok, and your best virtue?

Sincerity.

Your most precious possession?

My house... my home. That's what I love the most.

What are you afraid of?

Nothing... perhaps death. Nobody wants to die.

Something you always carry with you?

My notepad and my recorder, the mic. So, music is always with me, and religion... the ideas, I record them at every moment on my iPod.

A defect you can't stand in a person...

Abuse. If you are an abuser, you will not get along with me.

What do you do before going on stage?

I always pray.

Do you have a good-luck charm?

No, I don't, actually. I don't believe in them.

Ok. The most important quality in a woman?

To be sincere and humble...

And your favourite vice.

Ha, ha, ha... music.

Music?

Music.

Ok. Great.

Because I can't say the other one.

Another one? Give the other one.

No, I don't anymore. When I was younger, it was women, but not anymore.

Well, you passed the test!

That's great!

Yes! And Daddy, it's been a pleasure.

No, thank you everybody, thank you. My best wishes to everybody...

Before we finish, I want to ask a question.

Ask me.

From all of those big hits you have had, you have a lot, there has to be one that is very special to you. Don't tell me that all of them are. There has to be one in particular.

The most special one... I listen to it every day... is Coraza Divina.

Yes.

I listen to that one every day because it speaks to me.

** Oh, that's my favorite, too.**

That's nice.

I always ask to sing one last song before leaving. Can you sing the last part of Coraza divina before saying good bye?

It goes: Te quise más que al mismo cielo, oye má, te quise más que a las estrellas, lo nuestro lo echaste por suelo, me levantó la mano de ella, bandolera. Tú me dejastes caer, pero ella me levantó, llámale poca mujer pero ella me levantó. Tú me dejastes caer pero ella me levantó. Daddy Yankee Yo, el Jefe. Ja, ja.

Great. I'm Leila Cobo. Thank you everybody! See you soon!

[clapping]

THE END

Daddy Yankee in Estudio Billboard [1] [2]