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Zion & Lennox are a reggaeton duo from Carolina, Puerto Rico. As of 2010, Zion & Lennox released their 3rd studio album titled Los Verdaderos under Pina Records.

Career[link]

They have been in the music business for a long time, but had failed to get any recognition for the majority of those years. They had minor hits such as "Baila Conmigo" for the 2003 compilation album "Desafío" and "Me Pones Tensión" for the album The Noise: La Biografía. These hits, along with others in the near future and increased radio play gave them more recognition. This gave them the chance to appear in major Reggaeton albums such as Luny Tunes' Mas Flow (2003) and Mas Flow 2 (2005), Blin Blin vol.1 (2003-4), Contra la Corriente (2004), and Cazadores, Primera Búsqueda (2005).

In May 2004, they released their first solo album, Motivando a la Yal. With hits such as "Doncella", "Bandida", and "Yo Voy" (featuring Daddy Yankee), the album reached gold certification^{[citation needed]}. With the reggaeton genre becoming a worldwide phenomenon, Zion and Lennox's popularity increased. Motivando a la Yal: Special Edition was released a year later. The special edition had new songs along with remixed songs of the previous edition, such as "Don't Stop", "Bachatéalo", a remix to the song "Bandida", and a hip-hop remix of "Yo Voy" with Miri Ben-Ari, Fatman Scoop, and Pitbull entitled "Jump & Spread Out (DJ Precise and Cheeky Starr Version)".

Both Zion and Lennox are very active with solo songs. Zion has been more notable with songs like "Yo Voy a Llegar" for Reggaeton producer DJ Nelson's compilation album Flow la Discoteka, "Alócate" released on Luny Tunes's album Mas Flow 2.5, and "Con Ella Me Quedare" released in the fifth installment of the Alex Gargolas series, entitled Gargolas: The Next Generation. He also has turned up a new hit, "Que Pasara", for DJ Nelson's Flow la Discoteka 2. Zion has released a solo album entitled The Perfect Melody on June 5, 2007, with appearances by artists such as Akon and Play-n-Skillz. "The Way She Moves" is the lead single from the album and features Akon. Lennox has been working on songs on his own album, but has also been very active in bringing new artist to his label "Toma Enterprise". The label is set to release an album named Los Mero Meros.

Zion y Lennox's music is much different than mainstream reggaeton. What truly distinguishes them from other artists is that they typically sing about love and relationships, similar to RKM y Ken-Y(in 1970s R&B fashion) and refrain from the typical obscene sex, drugs and violence lyrics heard in a lot of other reggaeton and hip hop songs^{[citation needed]}.

After three years of building their fan base and positive reputation with guest spots and compilation records, Zion & Lennox released their first full-length record, Motivando a la Yal. The record featured the work of renowned producers Luny Tunes, Noriega, Nely "El Arma Secreta", and Eliel, some of the most visible the style had to offer. Thanks to the record's success as it hit the charts with force, Zion & Lennox toured all over the Americas, performing before large and appreciative audiences. Soon industry demand and personal pressure caused Zion & Lennox to go in different directions. Boldly boasting to be one of the greatest singers ever to hail not only from Puerto Rico but all of Latin America, Ortiz started his own record label, Baby Records, for whom he is the flagship act and CEO. Lennox continues to make guest appearances and collaborate with important genre artists. It came after a lengthy discussion in a New York hotel in which they parted amicably^{[citation needed]}. Recently, as of February 8, 2008, Zion y Lennox are on a "reunited" tour. They also set the reggaeton world on notice slating a November 2008 release of their latest effort which has yet to be publicly titled. Zion participated in a beach festival named "Back to School", on August 9, 2008. In early 2010, they joined and signed a contract with Pina Records.

Personal life[link]

Zion & Lennox are Afro-Puerto Ricans who grew up together in the town Carolina, Puerto Rico enjoying similar musical tastes, such as hip hop, dancehall, and rap. Lennox is the younger brother of Mackie of the reggaeton duo, Yaga & Mackie.

Discography[link]

• 2004: Motivando a la Yal
• 2005: Motivando a la Yal: Special Edition
• 2010: Los Verdaderos

Mixtapes[link]

• Pa La Calle: Pasado, Presente y Futuro(2010)

Singles[link]

• "Hay Algo En Ti" (Mas Flow) (2003)
• "No Pierdas Tiempo" (Chosen Few El Documental) (2004)
• "Cuanto Tengo Que Esperar" (MVP 2: The Grand Slam) (2005)
• "No Me Compares" (Flow la Discoteka) (2004)
• "No Dejes Que Se Muera" (La Mision 4: The Take Over) (2004)
• "Me Pones En Tensión" (The Noise: La Biografía) (2003)
• "Don't Stop" (Motivando A La Yal: Special Edition) (2005)
• "Me Arrepiento" (Los Bandoleros) (2005)
• "Es Mejor Olvidarlo" (Feat. Baby Ranks) (Mas Flow 2) (2005)
• "Aquí Estoy Yo" (El Bando Korrupto 2) (2004)
• "Quiero Tocarte" (The Score) (2003)
• "No Tengas Miedo" (Feat. Noriega) (Contra la Corriente) (2004)
• "Ella Me Mintio" (Feat. Ro-K & Gammy) (Malas Mañas) (2004)
• "Te Hago El Amor" (Gargolas 4: The Return) (2003)
• "Ibas Caminando" (Los Cazadores: La Primera Busqueda) (2005)
• "Aguántate" (Feat. Johnny Prez) / (The Prezident) (2005)
• "Baila Conmigo" (Desafío) (2003)
• "Baila Pa' Mí" (MVP) (2003)
• "Tu Movimiento Me Excita" (Los Mozalbetes) (2003)
• "Esa Nena" (Ground Zero) (2003)
• "Me Dirijo A Ella" (Buddha's Family 2) (2005)
• "Tu Cuerpo Deseo" (El Desorden) (2003)
• "La Noche Es Larga" (Abusando del Genero) (2006)
• "Una Cita" (Echo Presenta: Invasión) (2007)
• "Latinas" (Feat. Elephant Man) (Caribbean Connection) (2008)
• "Seré Yo" (Remix) (Pasado, Presente & Futuro (Past, Present, And Future) (album)|Pasado, Presente & Futuro)(2008)
• "Boom Boom" (Pasado, Presente & Futuro (Past, Present, And Future) (album)|Pasado, Presente & Futuro) (2008)
• "Invisible" (Feat. Erre XI) (Luny Tunes Presents: Erre XI) (2008)
• "Ten Paciencia" (Remix) (Feat. Thalía) (2008)
• "Siempre Esta Dios" (Feat. Yari) (2008)
• "Sentir" (Feat. Guelo Star) (Pasado, Presente & Futuro (Past, Present, And Future) (album)|Pasado, Presente & Futuro) (2008)
• "Tu Me Confundes" (Feat. Charlie Cruz) (Pasado, Presente & Futuro (Past, Present, And Future) (album)|Pasado, Presente & Futuro) (2008)
• "Boom Boom" (Remix) (Feat. Alexis & Fido) (Pasado, Presente & Futuro (Past, Present, And Future) (album)|Pasado, Presente & Futuro) (2009)
• "De Inmediato" (Pa' La Calle Mixtape) (2009)
• "Vamos En Serio" (Feat. Yaga & Mackie) (Pasado, Presente & Futuro (Past, Present, And Future) (album)|Pasado, Presente & Futuro) (2009)
• "Tiemblo (Remix)" (Feat. Baby Rasta & Gringo) (Unreleased) (2009)
• "Ahora Es Que Es" (Pa' La Calle Mixtape) (2009)
• "Dime Baby" (Feat. Fusion Mobb) (The Gold Pen) (2009)
• "Con Una Sonrisa" (Feat. O.G Black & Guayo "El Bandido") (La Hora Cero)(2009)
• "Ella Me Motiva" (Feat. Arcangel) (Pa' La Calle Mixtape) (2009)
• "Mi Cama Huele A Ti" (Feat. Tito "El Bambino") (El Patrón)(2009)
• "Mi Cama Huele A Ti" (Salsa version) (Feat. Charlie Cruz)
• "Amor Genuino" (Pa' La Calle Mixtape) (2009)
• "Colora'" (Feat. J-King & Maximan) (Pa' La Calle Mixtape) (2009)
• "Angeles & Demonios" (Feat. Syko "El Terror") (Pa' La Calle Mixtape) (2009)
• "Fuiste Tu" (Pa' La Calle Mixtape) (2009)
• "Me Atrae" (Pa' La Calle MIxtape) (2009)
• "Se Le Voy A Dar" (Pa' La Calle Mixtape) (2009)
• "Hagamos El Amor Part. 2" (Pa' La Calle Mixtape) (2009)
• "Daña Party" (Pa' La Calle Mixtape) (2009)
• "Mujeriego" (Pa' La Calle Mixtape) (2009)
• "Tengo Que Decir" (Golpe De Estado) (2009)
• "Amor Genuino" (Feat. De La Ghetto) (2009)
• "Si Te Gusta" (Feat. Onyx "Creacion Divina") (2010)
• "La Española" (The Diamond) (2010)
• "Como Curar" (Los Verdaderos) (2010)
• "Momentos" (Los Verdaderos) (2010)
• "Hoy Lo Siento" (Feat. Tony Dize) (Los Verdaderos) (2011)
• "Tu Ta' Buena" (Feat. Vakero) (2011)

Zion Discography[link]

• The Perfect Melody (2007)
• Flow Factory (2007)
• Live El Choliseo (Welcome To My World) (2007)

Singles[link]

• "Yo Voy A Llegar" (Flow la Discoteka) (2004)
• "Sólo Una Noche" (El Que Habla Con Las Manos) (2005)
• "Con Ella Me Quedaré" (Gargolas: The Next Generation) (2006)
• "Sigue Ahí" (Ft. Memphis Bleek & De La Ghetto) (Los Rompe Discotekas) (2006)
• "No Falla" (Ft. Cuban Link)
• "Hello" (Mas Flow: Los Benjamins) (2006)
• "Alócate" (Mas Flow 2.5) (2006)
• "Dos Jueyes" (ft. Domingo Quiñones) (Los Cocorocos) (2006)
• "Que Pasará" (Flow la Discoteka 2) (2007)
• "Veo" (Don Omar Presenta: El Pentágono) (2007)
• "Fantasma" (The Perfect Melody) (2007)
• "Zun Da Da" (The Perfect Melody) (2007)
• "The Way She Moves" (Ft. Akon) (The Perfect Melody) (2007)
• "Amor de Pobre" (Ft. Eddie Dee) (The Perfect Melody) (2007)
• "Money" (The Perfect Melody) (2007)
• "Periódico de Ayer" (The Perfect Melody)(2007)
• "Ábre La Puerta" (The Perfect Melody) (2007)
• "Vamonos Al Club" (Ft. Tego Calderón) (2007)
• "Independiente" (Los Bravos) (2007)
• "Pa'l Piso" (Ft. Element Black) (2008)
• "Sabanas Mojadas" (2008)
• "Fantasía" (2008)
• "Entre Cuatro Paredes" (Los Sikarios) (2008)
• "Showtime" (Ft. Angel & Khriz) (2008)
• "Fuera del Planeta" (Remix) (Ft. Eloy, Jowell & Randy) (2008)
• "Seré Yo" (2008)
• "Sabanas Mojadas" (Remix) (Ft. Jowell) (2008)
• "Tenerla Es Sonar" (2008)
• "Se Fue" (Ft. MJ) (Mi Sentimiento) (2008)
• "Tease Me" (Flow Factory) (2009)

Lennox Discography[link]

• Los Mero Meros (2007) (compilation album)

Singles[link]

• "Somos Los Mero Meros" (Ft. Guelo Star) (Los Mero Meros) (2007)
• "Sola y Triste"(Ft. Jonny) (Unreleased) (2007)
• "Hace Tiempo" (Motivando a la Yal) (2004)
• "Un Amor Así" (Ft. Newton) (Da' Music: Reloaded) (2005)
• "Tanto Dolor" (Ft. Noriega) (Sin Control) (2006)
• "Te Recordaré" (Ft. Norrys) (Los Bandoleros Reloaded) (2006)
• "Hablando Claro" (Ft. Arcangel) (2007)
• "Ahy Na Mas" (Los Mero Meros) (2007)
• "Lo Importante Es" (K-Libre) (2007)
• "Esto No Para" (Línea de Fuego) (2008)
• "Bailaremos" (La Evolucion) (2008)
• "Solos Tu y Yo" (Ft. Ricky Quiñones) (Unreleased) (2008)
• " Diferente" (Ft. Los Insuperables) (2009)
• "Eres Mia Hoy (Ft.Kartier)

References[link]

Zion (Hebrew: ציון‎) (also transliterated Sion, Tzion or Tsion) is a place name often used as a synonym for Jerusalem.^[1][2] The word is first found in Samuel II, 5:7 dating to c.630-540 BCE according to modern scholarship. It commonly referred to a specific mountain near Jerusalem (Mount Zion), on which stood a Jebusite fortress of the same name that was conquered by David and was named the City of David. The term Tzion came to designate the area of Jerusalem where the fortress stood, and later became a metonym for Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem, the city of Jerusalem and generally, the World to Come.

In Kabbalah the more esoteric reference is made to Tzion^[3] being the spiritual point from which reality emerges, located in the Holy of Holies of the First, Second and Third Temple.

Etymology[link]

The etymology of the word Zion (ṣiyôn) is uncertain.^{[1][2] [4]} Mentioned in the Bible in the Book of Samuel (2 Samuel 5:7) as the name of the Jebusite fortress conquered by King David, its origin likely predates the Israelites.^[1][2] If Semitic, it may be derived from the Hebrew root ''ṣiyyôn ("castle") or the Hebrew ṣiyya ("dry land," Jeremiah 51:43) or the Arabic šanā ("protect" or "citadel").^[1][4] It might also be related to the Arabic root ṣahî ("ascend to the top") or ṣuhhay ("tower" or "the top of the mountain").^[4] A non-Semitic relationship to the Hurrian word šeya ("river" or "brook") has also been suggested.^[4]

Orthography[link]

The form Tzion (Hebrew: ציון‎; Tiberian vocalization: Ṣiyyôn) appears 108 times in the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible), and once as HaTzion.^[5] It is spelled with a Tzadi and not Zayin.^[6] The commonly used form is an adopted mis-transliteration in English based on German orthography,^[7] where z is always pronounced [t͡s] (e.g. "zog" [t͡soːk]), hence "Tsion" in German literature. A tz would only be used if the preceding vowel is short, and hence use of Zion in 19th century German Biblical criticism. This orthography was adopted because in German the correct transliteration can only be rendered from the one instance of HaTzion in Kings II 23:17, where the a vowel is followed by a double consonant tz.

Biblical usage[link]

Some examples from the book of Psalms, which have been frequently recited and memorized by Jews for centuries, state:

• "By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Tzion." (Psalms 137:1)
• "For there they that carried us away captive required of us a song; and they that wasted us required of us mirth, saying, Sing us one of the songs of Tzion. How shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land? If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning. If I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth; if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy. Remember, O Lord, the children of Edom in the day of Jerusalem; who said, Raze it, raze it, even to the foundation thereof; O daughter of Babylon, that art to be destroyed; happy shall he be, that repayeth thee as thou hast served us." (Psalms 137:3-8, italics for words not in the original Hebrew)
• "The Lord doth build up Jerusalem: he gathereth together the outcast of Israel. Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem; praise thy God, O Tzion." (Psalms 147:2,12)

The Daughter of Tzion[link]

Mentioned 26 times in the Tanakh, the Biblical phrase "Daughter of Tzion" (Hebrew "bat Tzion") is considered by some^[who?] to be referencing a small hill in Jerusalem (whether Mount Moriah, the Temple Mount, or another hill), with the location of the actual tall mountain (as described in the Psalms) remaining mysterious. Another cryptic verse, Zechariah 4:7, seems to refer to this hill, but is also ambiguous, depending on the punctuation. In Hebrew it reads "Mi attah Har-haGadol lifnei Zerubbabel l'mishor..."; the plain text has no punctuation, but the Masoretic Text puts a pause following Har-haGadol, to mean "Who are you, great mountain? Before Zerubbabel, [you will become just] a plain..." However, if the pause is placed following Zerubbabel, it would mean instead "What are you, "great mountain" before Zerubbabel? [You are just] a plain..." Since this hill is where Zerubbabel built the Second Temple, it appears to be a reference to the "Daughter of Zion" (the hill), as distinct from Tzion (the mountain).

However, "Daughter of Zion", and a variety of other names like "Daughter of Jerusalem", might also be interpreted as referring to Jerusalem and the Jewish people personified, instead of a geographical feature.^[8]

In the New Testament the Daughter of Zion is the bride of Christ, also known as the Church, according to the writer of the book of Hebrews (see Heb 12:22). In this sense the lower hill with the temple mount is of course the Daughter of Zion as a geographical or 'earthly' manifestation of spiritual reality, as well as the lively and alive place of the human congregation.

Naming the holy city "daughter Zion" was a common practice in the Hebrew language. Not only Jerusalem was called this way, but also Babylon, Tyre and Tarshish were referred to as "daughter".^[9]

Arab and Islamic tradition[link]

Sahyun (Arabic: صهيون‎, Ṣahyūn or Ṣihyūn) is the word for Zion in Arabic and Syriac.^[10][11] Drawing on biblical tradition, it is one of the names accorded to Jerusalem in Arabic and Islamic tradition.^[11][12] A valley called Wâdi Sahyûn (wadi being the Arabic for "valley") seemingly preserves the name and is located approximately one and three-quarter miles from the Old City of Jerusalem's Jaffa Gate.^[10]

The Kaaba in Mecca was also called Sahyun or Zion by Muhammed, the prophet of Islam.^[12] Islamic scholarship sees many passages of the Bible that refer to the desert or eschatological Zion as references to the holy site of Mecca.^[13] For example, the reference to the "precious cornerstone" of the new Jerusalem in the Book of Isaiah 28:16 is identified in Islamic scholarship as the cornerstone of the Kaaba.^[13] This interpretation is said by Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyah (1292–1350) to have come from the People of the Book, though earlier Christian scholarship identifies the cornerstone with Jesus.^[13]

Zionism[link]

A World War I recruitment poster. The Daughter of Zion (representing the Hebrew people): "Your Old New Land must have you! Join the Jewish regiment".

The term "Zionism" coined by Austrian Nathan Birnbaum, was derived from the German rendering of Tzion in his journal Selbstemanzipation (Self Emancipation) in 1890.^[14] Zionism as a political movement started in 1897 and supported a 'national home', and later a state, for the Jewish people in Palestine. The Zionist movement declared the re-establishment of its State of Israel in 1948, following the United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine. Since then and with varying ideologies, Zionists have focused on developing and protecting this state.

While Zionism is based in part upon Torah mitzvot linking the Jewish people to the Biblical land of Israel, the modern movement is largely secular. Indeed, until 1967 the Tzion of the Tanakh (the Old City of Jerusalem) was not even within the boundaries of Israel (although Mount Zion itself, was).

In 2005, Ralph Uwazuruike from Nigeria pushed for the creation of the already disputed state of Biafra for the Igbo people. He approached the Israeli government to support this movement on the basis that Israel is the long lost home of the Igbos.

Anti-slavery symbolism[link]

The Jewish longing for Zion, starting with the deportation and enslavement of Jews during the Babylonian captivity, was adopted as a metaphor by Christian Black slaves in the United States, and after the Civil War by blacks who were still oppressed. Thus, Zion symbolizes a longing by wandering peoples for a safe homeland. This could be an actual place such as Ethiopia for Rastafarians or Israel for some of the Igbos in Nigeria for example. For others, it has taken on a more spiritual meaning—a safe spiritual homeland, like in heaven, or a kind of peace of mind in one's present life.

Usage by the Rastafari movement[link]

In the Rastafari movement, "Zion" stands for a utopian place of unity, peace and freedom, as opposed to "Babylon", the oppressing and exploiting system of the western world and a place of evil.

For Rastafarians, Zion is to be found in Africa, and more specifically in Ethiopia, where the term is also in use. Some Rastas believe themselves to represent the real Children of Israel in modern times, and their goal is to repatriate to Africa, or to Zion. Rasta reggae is peppered with references to Zion; among the best-known examples are the Bob Marley songs "Zion Train", "Iron Lion Zion", the Bunny Wailer song "Rastaman" ("The Rasta come from Zion, Rastaman a Lion!"), The Melodians song "Rivers of Babylon" (based on Psalm 137:1,3,4), the Bad Brains song "Leaving Babylon", the Damian Marley song featuring Nas "Road to Zion," The Abyssinians' "Forward Unto Zion" and Kiddus I's "Graduation In Zion," which is featured in the 1977 cult roots rock reggae film Rockers. Reggae groups such as Steel Pulse and Cocoa Tea also have many references to Zion in their various songs. In recent years, such references have also crossed over into pop and rock music thanks to artists like MindZion, O.A.R. "To Zion Goes I", Sublime, Lauryn Hill, Boney M. ("Rivers of Babylon"), Black Uhuru "Leaving to Zion", Fluid Minds "Zion", Dreadzone with the reggae-tinged track "Zion Youth.", P.O.D. with song "Set Your Eyes to Zion" (but P.O.D. with a Christian viewpoint: Zion referring to the spiritual kingdom of God), Trevor Hall with song "To Zion", and Australian roots reggae outfit Vindan and The Zion Band, also Alcyon Massive (a reggae/psychedelic band in Southern Oregon) wrote a song titled "Zion" which is currently very popular. The rock band Rush also reference Zion/Babylon duality in the song "Digital Man" with the following lyrics: "He'd love to spend the night in Zion. He's been a long while in Babylon".

Latter Day Saint movement[link]

A similar metaphoric transformation of the term "Zion" occurs in the modern Latter Day Saint movement, originating in the United States in the 1830s. In this interpretation, Zion refers to a specific location to which members of the millennial church are to be gathered together to live. During that time the ancient city of Enoch, also named Zion, that was taken to Heaven will return to the Earth. A Temple is to be built unto the Lord for a sacred work to be performed and for the Lord Jesus Christ to reign when he returns at the Second Coming. Until the gathering of Israel (Gentile and Jew who have accepted Jesus as their savior), when the second coming of Jesus Christ.^{[clarification needed]}

Latter Day Saints also believe Zion to be their location congregations where they gather weekly to renew vows and covenants made to God the Father and to the Son of God.

In popular culture[link]

Zion is referenced in several media and entertainment groups. For example in music the band with the name Mind Zion also there are song titles such as "To Zion", a song by Lauryn Hill, "Road to Zion", by Damian Marley, "Iron Lion Zion" by Bob Marley, or the "Zion (David Bowie song)". It is referenced in the song "Pancake" by Tori Amos from her concept album "Scarlet's Walk". In film, Zion is a fictional human-controlled underground city in The Matrix (franchise). In literature, Zion is a space station in the 1984 cyberpunk novel Neuromancer.

In February 2011 the Iranian government issued a formal complaint, saying that Britain's 2012 Olympics logo spelled the word "Zion". They initially threatened to boycott the event if the "offensive" logo was not replaced.

Mount Zion today[link]

Dormition Church, situated on the modern "Mount Zion"

Today, Mount Zion refers to a hill south of the Old City's Armenian Quarter, not to the Temple Mount. This apparent misidentification dates from the Middle Ages, when Christian pilgrims mistook the relatively large, flat summit (the highest point in ancient Jerusalem) for the original site of the Jewish Temple. The Dormition Church (right) is located upon the hill currently called Mount Zion.

See also[link]

• Book of Micah
• New Jerusalem

References[link]

• Ludlow, D. H. (Ed.). (1992) Vol 4. Encyclopedia of Mormonism. New York: Macmillian Publishing Company.
• McConkie, B.R. (1966).Mormon Doctrine. (2nd ed). Utah: Bookcraft.
• (Online) Available http://www.lds.org.
• Steven Zarlengo: Daughter of Zion: Jerusalem's Past, Present, and Future. (Dallas: Joseph Publishing, 2007).

Further reading[link]

• Batto, Bernard F.; Roberts, Kathryn L. (2004). David and Zion: Biblical Studies in Honor of J.J.M. Roberts Eisenbrauns, USA. ISBN 1-57506-092-2.

Coordinates: 31°46′N 35°14′E / 31.767°N 35.233°E / 31.767; 35.233

Antonio Feliciano Rivera Cabrera, Better known by his stage name Tony Dize, or his other nickname, "La Melodía De La Calle", is a Puerto Rican reggaeton artist born in Boston, Massachusetts. His first recorded performance was from the album Blin Blin vol.1, with Wisin & Yandel in 2003, after which he collaborated with other artists of the genre and later released his debut album in 2008 titled La Melodía De La Calle (Spanish for "Street Melody") under WY Records and Machete Music. He was currently signed to Pina Records, for which he released La Melodía De La Calle: Updated under the label in 2009. In November 2011 he is in contracting with DJ Memo, to join his record label after a fall out with Raphy Pina.

Musical career[link]

He started under the guidance of one of the most popular duos in reggaeton, Wisin & Yandel. He debuted in the disc Blin Blin vol.1, with the song "No Pierdas Tiempo". Through his short career he has worked with the best DJs of the genre such as Luny Tunes, Naldo, Urba & Monserrate, Notty, and Noriega. He appeared as a guest in the album Pa'l Mundo, in a song with Wisin & Yandel called "Sensación". The song was a minor hit. Tony Dize finally broke through with the song "Quizás", found on the album Los Vaqueros. The song was one of the album's biggest hits, and made him a force in reggaeton. The official remix of the song features Ken-Y. He was part of WY Records and his first production, La Melodía De La Calle, was released on April 22, 2008. Tony Dize participated in a beach festival named "Back to School", on August 9, 2008.^[1] Tony dize performed at the Cedar Hall on February 2, 2009 in Boston, Massachusetts.In the performance he collaborated with DJs such as DJ Shorty DJ Problem, and DJ Luis Morales. He was a member of Pina Records, after leaving WY Records over disputes with Wisin. Now in disputes with Raphy Pina (Owner of Pina Records) and he is currently being counseled and managed at B4DN Studios in Miami Fl owned by composer and ex singer Jose Echeandia "Chandi".

Discography[link]

Studio albums[link]

• 2008: La Melodía De La Calle
• 2009: La Melodía De La Calle: Updated
• 2012: La Melodía De Ustedes

Singles[link]

• Quizás (2006)
• Permitame (featuring Yandel) (2008)
• Solos (featuring Plan B) (2009)
• El Doctorado (2009)
• Mi Amor Es Pobre (featuring Arcángel, Ken-Y) (2009)
• Terminalo (2011)
• "Un Chance" (2011)

Featuring Singles[link]

• La Despedida Remix (with Daddy Yankee) (2010)
• Hoy Lo Siento (with Zion & Lennox) (2010)
• Senda Maniática (with Ñejo & Dalmata) (2010)

References[link]

External links[link]

• Tony Dize on Myspace

Daddy Yankee
Background information
Birth name	Ramón Ayala
Also known as	Winchester 30-30 El Cangri El Jefe The Big Boss DY El Máximo Lider
Born	(1977-02-03) February 3, 1977 (age 35)
Origin	San Juan, Puerto Rico
Genres	Reggaeton, Latin rap, hip-hop
Years active	1992–present
Labels	El Cartel, Interscope, Sony Music Latin
Website	daddyyankee.com

Ramón Luis Ayala Rodríguez (born February 3, 1977), known artistically as Daddy Yankee, is a Latin Grammy Award-winning Puerto Rican reggaeton recording artist. Ayala was born in Río Piedras, the largest district of San Juan, where he became interested in music at a young age. In his youth he was interested in baseball, and aspired to become a Major League Baseball player. He was unable to continue this sport when he received an injury to one of his legs, leaving him unable to walk correctly. He then became involved in the underground rap movement that was in its early stages in Puerto Rico, later to be called reggaeton. After receiving lessons from several artists within the genre, he developed an independent career, first recording in a production titled Playero 37. After this he began to produce independent albums. His first solo album was No Mercy. He subsequently formed a duo with Nicky Jam, and then continued his solo career with the releases of El Cartel and El Cartel II. This led him be one of many pioneers of the reggaeton genre earning him the nickname "El Cangri".

In 2002 El Cangri.com became Ayala's first album with international success, receiving coverage in the markets of New York and Miami. Barrio Fino was released in 2004, and the album received numerous awards, including Lo Nuestro Awards and a Latin Billboard, as well as receiving nominations for the Latin Grammy and MTV Video Music Awards. Barrio Fino performed well in the sales charts of the United States, Latin America, Europe, and Japan. On June 5, 2007, El Cartel Records released El Cartel: The Big Boss, which was ranked as the top-selling album in Latin music genres in 2007. He promoted the album with an international tour which began in the United States and continued through Latin America, breaking attendance records in Ecuador and Bolivia.

His performances have appeared on more than 70 albums, including compilations such as Mas Flow 2 and Blin Blin Vol. 1. Outside of his work as a musician, Ayala has also worked as an actor and producer. Throughout his career, he has been generally reluctant to discuss his personal life, but has publicly expressed the importance of his wife and children to him.

Following the incident, he became interested in the underground movement, which at the time was in an early organizational stage.^[1] He also took more interest in the events that took place in the neighborhood in which he was raised, a public housing project named Villa Kennedy.^[2] Early in his career he attempted to imitate the style of Vico C. He went on to emulate other artists in the genre, including DJ Playero, DJ Nelson, and DJ Goldy, taking elements from their styles in order to develop an original style.^[1] In doing so, he eventually abandoned the traditional model of rap and became one of the first artists to perform reggaeton.^[1] Ayala first recorded with DJ Playero as a featured artist in a production titled Playero 37, which was released in 1992.^[2]

Musical career[link]

Independent productions[link]

His first album, titled No Mercy, was produced in 1995 when Ayala was eighteen years old.^[2] The production did not sell well, and he continued his work within the genre for the rest of the decade, eventually forming a duo with Nicky Jam. One of the duo's songs, "Posición", was included in the soundtrack of One Tough Cop, a movie directed by Bruno Barreto, that was released in 1998. Beginning in 2000, Ayala began concentrating more on his solo career, releasing albums produced outside studios. The first production he released was titled El Cartel, featuring elements of the mixtape style.^[2] In 2001 El Cartel II was released, a direct sequel to the previous production, and influenced by similar genres.

In 2005 El Cangri.com was released, and became the first album in Ayala's career to sell well outside Puerto Rico, mostly in the United States.^[2] The album was produced by VI Music, an independent recording studio in Puerto Rico, and was not supported by a major label.^[2] The most successful single from the album was "Latigazo", which received significant play on radio stations in New York and Miami.^[2] The album reached #43 on Billboard's Top Latin Albums chart.^[2] Following the release of this disc, Ayala performed at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum before 12,000 fans.^[3] The following year VI Music produced Los Homerun-es.^[2] The album became the leader in sales in Puerto Rico during a year in which several other reggaeton artists released significant productions, including Luny Tune's Mas Flow, Don Omar's The Last Don, and Tego Calderón's El Abayarde.^[2] The album's success helped Ayala receive the publicity required for a crossover to the United States market, and marked the last album he released with VI music before signing a contract with Universal

2004–2005[link]

Ayala's next album, Barrio Fino, was produced by Luny Tunes and released in July 2004 by El Cartel Records and VI Music. It was the most highly anticipated album in the reggaeton community.^[4] Ayala had enjoyed Salsa music since he was young, and this led him to include music of genres besides reggaeton in the album.^[4] The most prominent of these cross-genre singles was "Melao", in which he performed with Andy Montañez.^[4] The album was described as his most complete, and with it he intended to introduce combinations of reggaeton and other genres to the English-speaking market.^[4] Barrio Fino was followed up by an international tour with performances in numerous countries including the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Honduras, Spain, Colombia, Argentina, Venezuela, and the United States.^[4] The album has sold over 500,000 copies in the United States alone and has sold well throughout Latin America and worldwide.^[5]

In 2005 Ayala won several international awards, making him one of the most recognized reggaeton artists within the music industry.^[6] The first award of the year was Lo Nuestro Awards within the "Latin music" category, which he received for Barrio Fino.^[6] In this event he performed "Gasolina" in a performance that was described as "innovative".^[6] Barrio Fino also won the "Reggaeton Album of the Year" award in the Latin Billboard that took place on April 28, 2005,^[6] where he performed a mix of three of his songs in a duo with P. Diddy. The album was promoted throughout Latin America, the United States, and Europe, reaching certified gold in Japan. Due to the album's success, Ayala received promotional contracts with radio stations and soda companies, including Pepsi.^[7] His single "Gasolina" received the majority of votes cast for the second edition of Premios Juventud, in which it received eight nominations and won seven awards.^[6] Ayala also made a live presentation during the award ceremony. "Gasolina" received nominations in the Latin Grammy and MTV Video Music Awards.^[6]

The successful single, "Gasolina", was covered by artists from different music genres. This led to a controversy when Los Lagos, a Mexican banda group, did a cover with the original beat but changed the song's lyrics.^[8] The group's label had solicited the copyright permission to perform the single and translate it to a different music style, but did not receive consent to change the lyrics; legal action followed.^[8] Speaking for the artist, Ayala's lawyer stated that having his songs covered was an "honor, but it must be done the right way."^[8]

2006–present[link]

On April 30, 2006, Ayala was named one of the 100 most influential people by Time magazine, which cited the 2 million copies of Barrio Fino sold, Ayala's $20 million contract with Interscope Records, and his Pepsi endorsement.^[9] During this period, Ayala and William Omar Landrón (more commonly known by his artistic name Don Omar) were involved in a rivalry within the genre, dubbed "tiraera". The rivalry received significant press coverage despite being denied early on by both artists. It originated with a lyrical conflict between the artists begun by Ayala's comments in a remix single, where he criticized Landron's common usage of the nickname "King of Kings".^[10] Don Omar responded to this in a song titled "Ahora Son Mejor", part of his album Los Rompediscotecas.^[10]

El Cartel: The Big Boss was released by Interscope on June 5, 2007. Ayala stated that the album marked a return to his hip-hop roots as opposed to being considered a strictly reggaeton album.^[11] The album was produced in 2006, and included the participation of will.i.am, Scott Storch, Tainy Tunes, Neli, and personnel from Ayala's label. Singles were produced with Héctor Delgado, Fergie, Nicole Scherzinger and Akon.^[11] The first single from the album was titled "Impacto", and was released prior to the completion of the album. The album was promoted by a tour throughout the United States, which continued throughout Latin America.^[11] He performed in Mexico, first in Monterrey, where 10,000 attended the concert, and later at San Luis Potosí coliseum, where the concert sold out, leaving hundreds of fans outside the building.^[12] Ayala performed in Chile as well, and established a record for attendance in Ecuador.^[13] He also performed in Bolivia, setting another record when 50,000 fans attended his Santa Cruz de la Sierra concert.^[13] This show was later described as "the best show with the biggest attendance in history" and as "somehappy that his album had sold more than those of Juan Luis Guerra and Juanes, and that this was an "official proof that reggaeton's principal exponent defeated the rest of the genres".^[14] Ayala made a guest appearance in an album titled "Caribbean he loved the color reed|Inner Circle]], Bounty Killer, Elephant Man and Wayne Wonder.^[15] In July 2008, Ayala announced that as part of his work, he would produce a cover version of Thalía's song, Ten Paciencia.^[16] Prior to the album's release, Ayala scheduled several activities, including an in-store contract signing.^[17] On February 27, 2009, he performed at the Viña del Mar International Song Festival in Chile.^[18] In this event, the artists receive awards based on the public's reaction. After performing "Rompe", "Llamado de emergencia", "Tú me dejaste caer", "Gasolina", "Limpia parabrisas" and "Lo que pasó, pasó" over the course of two hours, Ayala received the "Silver Torch", "Gold Torch" and "Silver Seagull" recognitions.^[18] On April 24, 2009, he received the Spirit of Hope Award as part of the Latin Billboard Music Awards ceremony.^[19] The recognition is given to the artists that participate in community or social efforts throughout the year. The single "Grito Mundial" was released on October 8, 2009,^[20] in order to promote his ninth album, Mundial. Despite releasing "El Ritmo No Perdona (Prende)" more than a month before, that single was not considered the first official promotional single.

Film and other career projects[link]

Ayala has negotiated promotional deals with several companies outside of the music industry, releasing merchandise under his name. In 2005, he became the first Latin artist to sign a deal with Reebok, in order to produce accessories,^[21] including the licensed clothing line "DY", which was released in 2006.^[22] He also teamed up with the company to have his own shoes and sporting goods made, which were first distributed on May 23, 2006.^[11] Reebok continued the partnership with the introduction of the Travel Trainer collection in July 2007. In August 2007, Pepsi began an advertising campaign titled "Puertas", in which Ayala is depicted returning to his youth by opening a series of doors.^[23]

In 2008, Ayala participated in a campaign to promote voting in the 2008 general elections in Puerto Rico. This initiative included a concert titled "Vota o quédate callao".^[24] On August 25, 2008, Ayala endorsed John McCain's candidacy for President of the United States, stating that McCain "has been a fighter for the Hispanic community".^[25] As part of this campaign, Ayala moderated a debate titled “Vota o quédate callao: los candidatos responden a los jóvenes”, which was aired on October 9, 2008.^[26]

Ayala has worked in the film industry as both an actor and producer. His acting debut was the lead role of Vampiros, a film directed by Eduardo Ortiz and filmed in Puerto Rico.^[27] The film premiered at the Festival of Latin American Cinema in New York, where it received a positive reaction. This led Image Entertainment to produce a DVD, internationally released in March 2005.^[27] Ayala played the main role "Edgar" in Talento de Barrio, which was filmed in Puerto Rico and directed by José Iván Santiago. Ayala produced the film, which is based on his experience of growing up in a poor city neighborhood.^[28] While the film is not directly a biography, Ayala has stated that it mirrors his early life.^[28] Talento de Barrio's debut was scheduled for July 23, 2008, in New York's Latino Film Festival.^[29] After the premier, Ayala expressed satisfaction, saying that he had been invited to audition for other producers.^[30] On release, Talento de Barrio broke the record held by Maldeamores for the most tickets to a Puerto Rican movie sold in a single day in Caribbean Cinemas.^[31]

Ayala has been involved in the administration of three organizations, the first being El Cartel Records which he co-owns with Andres Hernandez. He also created the Fundación Corazón Guerrero, a charitable organization in Puerto Rico which works with young incarcerated people.^[32] On April 26, 2008, he was presented with a "Latino of the Year Award" by the student organization Presencia Latina of Harvard College, receiving it for his work with Puerto Rican youth and creating Corazón Guerrero.^[33] On February 6, 2008, Ayala announced in a Baloncesto Superior Nacional press conference that he had bought part of the Criollos de Caguas' ownership.^[34]

Personal life[link]

Ayala has kept most of his personal life private, rarely speaking about it in interviews.^[35] He has said that he avoids doing so because such details are the only aspect of his life that are not public and that they are like a "little treasure".^[35] He made an exception in 2006 when he spoke about his relationship with his wife and children in an interview with María Celeste Arrarás in Al Rojo Vivo.^[35] He stated that his marriage is strong because he and his wife are "friends above anything", adding that he has tried to ignore other temptations because "weakness is the reason for the downfall of several artists."^[35] He also described his "very close" communication with his children, in which he tries to offer advice against drugs and negative influences.^[35] His first daughter was born when he was seventeen years old,^[35] which he has described as confusing at first, adding that raising a daughter at that age was a hard experience.^[36]

Studio albums[link]

• 1995: No Mercy
• 2002: El Cangri.com
• 2004: Barrio Fino
• 2007: El Cartel: The Big Boss
• 2010: Daddy Yankee Mundial
• 2012: Prestige

Filmography[link]

Film

Television

See also[link]

	Biography portal
	Puerto Rico portal
	Music portal

• Latin American music
• List of Caribbean music genres
• List of Puerto Ricans
• List of Puerto Rican songwriters
• Urban contemporary

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official site
• Daddy Yankee at the Internet Movie Database