“6 De Enero” turns Daddy Yankee’s real-life brush with death into an anthem of survival and transformation. In gripping, almost cinematic verses, he rewinds to the night he was shot with an AK-47, felt his life slipping away, and bargained with God for one more chance. The date of the attack – January 6th – becomes his symbolic rebirth: although he was “born on February 3rd,” he was reborn on Three Kings Day. From hospital floors and wheelchair days to sold-out arenas, the song tracks how a miracle on the streets of Puerto Rico lit the fuse for a reggaetón empire.
6 De Enero is a motivational war cry for anyone battling long odds. Yankee salutes fallen friends, warns that “the streets are fire,” and reminds listeners that help can arrive from the most unexpected places – even “an addict in a shoot-out.” The chorus pounds home the message: few survive, fewer still rise again, but with faith, resilience, and grit you can become “imparable” — unstoppable. Daddy Yankee isn’t just bragging; he is documenting a victory over fate and inviting the listener to claim their own.
Ramón Luis Ayala Rodríguez, known professionally as Daddy Yankee, is a pioneering Puerto Rican rapper, singer, and songwriter born on February 3, 1976, in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Often hailed as the King of Reggaeton, he brought the genre to global prominence with his 2004 international hit "Gasolina," which played a crucial role in making reggaeton a worldwide phenomenon.
With a career spanning over three decades, Daddy Yankee has sold around 30 million records and earned numerous awards, including five Latin Grammy Awards. His 2017 collaboration on the record-breaking single "Despacito" further cemented his place as a global Latin music icon. Known for his powerful influence on Hispanic urban music, Daddy Yankee officially retired in December 2023 after his final tour in Puerto Rico, leaving behind a lasting legacy in Latin music.