NEW YORK - MAY 30: (U.S. TABLOIDS OUT) Singer Daddy Yankee makes an appearance on MTV's Total Request Live at MTV's Times Square Studios May 30, 2007 in New York City. (Photo by Evan Agostini/Getty Images) (2007 Getty Images)
goHe is a Latin Grammy Award winner and one of the pioneers of the reggaeton movement, but life almost led Daddy Yankee down a different path.
Ramon Ayala, who today is known all over the world today as Daddy Yankee, was derailed from a career in the Major Leagues after suffering a leg injury. He was caught in the middle of a crossfire and was shot in the leg in Puerto Rico, ending his hopes of becoming a major league baseball player.
That was the moment that he decided to immerse himself what would become reggaeton—a new sound blending hip hop, Jamaican reggae and reggae en Español from Panama.
Fox News Latino spoke with Daddy Yankee this week about his excitement over performing at the inaugural concert at Marlin's Park on Friday when the Miami Marlins go head-to-head against the Houston Astros.
"Baseball has always been a love of mine, and so being able to combine both passions for this performance is so exciting,” he said. “Usually when I do a show, I sit in the dressing room waiting to go on. This time I get to watch a baseball game live. I can’t complain!"
As part of the "Miami Marlins Friday Night Live Concert Series," Daddy Yankee will perform a variety of the songs to please his die-hard fans as well as those who will be getting an introduction to his music for the first time.
"I’m bringing my full show to Miami on Friday. It will be a mix of both my new material off of my upcoming album Prestige as well as some of my hits from over the years such as "Pose," "Rompe, " and today "Lovumba" and many more.
A release date for "Prestige" is yet to be announced, but Daddy Yankee promises he is working hard to wrap things up in the studio. When asked about his next single, he confirmed its release is not too far out of reach.
"I’m still busy in the studio putting the finishing touches on the album, we don’t have a release date yet but I will be dropping the next single soon. Be on the look out!"
With more than 2million fans following him on Twitter and 11.4 million following him on Facebook, Daddy Yankee has embraced social media as a way to reach fans on a more personal level. He will be the special guest speaker during the Billboard Latin Music Conference panel entitled, "Being Social" on Wednesday, April 25th, 2012.
"Over the past few years, I’ve seen how much the music industry has been influenced by social media. I constantly use it to communicate with my fans and see what’s new and upcoming. I’m going to share my experiences and how it’s helped my business and career grow."
His excitement over his performance tonight led him to talk to his fans directly via Twitter.
"I haven’t had a chance to see the Marlins’ new ballpark yet, but I’ve heard that it looks amazing,” he said. “I actually just posted on Twitter what an honor it is to be the first performer to take the stage at the new stadium. It’s historic!!"
Rosy Cordero is the Owner/Editor of AccidentalSexiness.com. She is based out of Miami, Fla. You can reach her via Twitter: @asexiness
Follow us on twitter.com/foxnewslatino
Like us at facebook.com/foxnewslatino
Trending
Who's making headlines in television, music, movies and more from Hollywood to the Heartland.