Daddy Yankee

Not many people get shot, have their childhood dreams denied on the verge of their realization, and maintain an attitude of gratitude. Yet that is exactly the story of reggaeton superstar Daddy Yankee. Daddy Yankee is an international recording sensation who has managed to maintain his Puerto Rican street credibility while recording multiple hit singles. Neat trick. Daddy Yankee was born Raymond Ayala in 1977 in Puerto Rico. Like just about every other kid in the barrio, he played baseball. Unlike just about every other kid, he was uniquely gifted. Despite witnessing the murder of his baseball coach at home base at the age of six, Raymond continued to return to the baseball field daily, honing his unique talent. By the time he was 16, he'd already tried out for the Seattle Mariners and contracts were being discussed. One day, while waiting to hear final details from the Washington team, he was putting together a mix tape with friends at a local hangout. Stepping outside for a break, he was hit by a stray bullet from an AK 47. In an instant, his life changed, as a career in professional sports became impossible. Though the bullet robbed him of any chance for a career in baseball, it did not deprive him of his drive for success. Within ten years of the accident, he was the best-selling reggaeton artist in the world, had his own line of clothing (DY), his own line of sporting goods and shoes being released via Reebok, and was performing live concerts to sold out audiences world-wide, including New York City's Madison Square Garden.