Misplaced Pages

El Cartel: The Big Boss
Studio album by Daddy Yankee
Released	June 5, 2007
Recorded	August 2006–April 2007
Studio	Hit Factory Criteria (Miami) El Cartel (Carolina, Puerto Rico) Record Plant (Los Angeles)
Genre	Hip hop reggaeton pop R&B
Length	77:49
Language	Spanish English
Label	El Cartel Interscope
Producer	Scott Storch Akon Mr. Collipark Luny Tunes Humby will.i.am Just Blaze Tainy Nely Menes Echo Diesel Diaz Brothers
Daddy Yankee chronology
Barrio Fino en Directo (2005) El Cartel: The Big Boss (2007) Talento de Barrio (2008)
Singles from El Cartel: The Big Boss
"Impacto" Released: April 12, 2007 "Ella Me Levantó" Released: August 8, 2007

El Cartel: The Big Boss is the fourth studio album and eighth overall by Puerto Rican rapper Daddy Yankee. It was released on June 5, 2007, by El Cartel Records through Interscope Records and It is the third installment following El Cartel (1997) and El Cartel II (2001). It explores lyrics and themes ranging from immigration, tabloid rumors, romance, dance and protest against political corruption. The album production persecutes an aggressive sound and was focus on hardcore reggaeton and Latin urban mixed with elements of tropical rhythms, R&B and straight-up hip-hop on a few tracks. The album's theme was to solidified the artist status at the top of Latin music industry and rivals. It features guest appearances Akon, Fergie, Will.i.am, Nicole Scherzinger, Héctor el Father and contains the contributions of producers such as Scott Storch, Luny Tunes, Tainy, and Mr. Collipark.

El Cartel: The Big Boss receive polarized reviews by the critics. While some critics enjoyed the music diversion and praised the production as Yankee's input and charisma as well, others criticized reggaeton's repetitive formula. The album was nominated for Lo Nuestro Award for Urban Album of the Year. Also, it was nominated for Best Latin Urban Album at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards and Best Urban Music Album at the 8th Annual Latin Grammy Awards. Eventually, it won Top Latin Album of the Year and Reggaeton Album of the year at the 2008 Latin Billboard Music Awards. The album was supported by two official singles. The lead single "Impacto" won Lo Nuestro Award for Video of the Year in 2008 and was included at the soundtrack of Grand Theft Auto IV.

El Cartel: The Big Boss was a commercial success. It debut at the top of US Billboard Top Latin Albums and at number nine US Billboard 200, with the highest sales figure for reggaeton album in its first week. It was the best selling Latin album in the United States of 2007, His third consecutive album to do so, following Barrio Fino en Directo in 2006 and Barrio Fino in 2005, that were top sellers in the two previous years. Eventually, it received platinum certification (Latin field) three times by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Also, it reached the top ten in Mexico, Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela, Dominican Republic, Argentina and Paraguay selling more than one million of copies worldwide. In August 2007, Daddy Yankee embarked on the Big Boss Tour to promote the album, his second arena tour in the United States and his first official world tour.

Background and production

Initial plans of the album, according to Yankee himself in summer of 2005, it would feature much of his vintage reggaeton style and that he's been in talks with P. Diddy, the Neptunes, Lil Jon and one of his childhood idols, Dr. Dre, about getting down on the album. However, none of those plans was materialized. Daddy Yankee said that he wanted people to see his style as an MC and return to his hip-hop roots. He collaborated with producers Scott Storch and will.i.am to combine, as he put it, "the force and our creative minds to create a new sound".

Yankee started writing for the album shortly after the last leg of Barrio Fino World Tour ended in June 2006. The recording seasons official started in August 2006, at the Hit Factory In Miami and ended in April 2007 with the recording of the remix of Impacto with Fergie. In an April 12, 2007 press release, the artist stated that the album was finished and that he recorded a total of 26 songs and was in the process of selecting the tracklist.

He also collaborated with Akon on a track called, "Bring It On", a track he considered as a follow-up to his lead single. Another song from the album that is characterized as a "catchy club banger" entitled, "Impacto" was produced by Scott Storch and features The Black Eyed Peas member, Fergie. He also recorded a song with Pussycat Dolls' lead vocalist, Nicole Scherzinger, which he described as a "crazy dancehall, Caribbean song". On the track "Soy Lo Que Soy", Daddy Yankee self-proclaimed himself as the leader of reggaeton when he stated that "the Latin people baptized me as the King of Reggaeton".

Promotion and media appearances

On April 16, 2007, Yankee revealed plans for his second arena tour in the US with initial plans to expand the tour to Europe and Asia. Following the announcement, presale of the tickets started and fans got a pre-order digital copy of the album on iTunes in a marketing strategy to bundle the sales. In May 2007, MTV Tr3s made the reggaeton star its "Artist of the Month", with interviews, news and special programming across its TV, online and wireless platforms. On May 15, 2007, the album was released for pre-order along with the remix of Impacto with Fergie. Also, the dates of the US leg were released and available for presale. On May 30, 2007, Yankee performed on MTV TRL. Those who pre-ordered the album got a special code to buy the tickets on June 9, 2007 while the general sales were set on June 15. The led single Impacto was used on a Pepsi TV advertasing on 14 Latin American countries.

On the day the album was released, an especial edition was released to Walmart that included an exclusive MTV Tr3s-branded package. It includes a DVD with a Daddy Yankee interview, five performances from his MTV $2 Bill concert. Following the album release, Daddy Yankee embarked in a series of press conferences and television appearances to promote the album including El Show de Cristina, Don Francisco Presenta and So You Think You Can Dance. However, on June 8, 2007, he was hospitalized due dehydration and exhaustion. For this reason, many public appearances were cancelled for rest of the week including severial instores singing, Puerto Rican parade broadcast on MTV Tres in New York and The Bling Bineo concert at the Shea Stadium.

On August 3, 2007, Yankee performed "Impacto" on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, one of the few Latin acts to do so at the time. On October 2, 2007, he made a guest appearance on the second episode "The Work of a Business Man" of the TV series Cane where also he performed the track "Who's Your Daddy?". The episode was premiered with a viewership of 9.24 million. On November 8, 2007, he performed "Ella Me Levanto" at the 2007 Latin Grammy Awards ceremony. During the promotion of the album, Daddy Yankee performed at Madison Square Garden. The album was supported by The Big Boss Tour, which started its US leg at the Chicago Allstate Arena on August 31 through October 17, 2007, at the Toyota Center in Houston. Following that, the tour continued in Latin America.

Reception

Commercial reception

In the United States, the first-week prediction were between 110k-115k. However, The album debuted at number nine on the U.S. Billboard 200 and at number one on the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart, selling 82,000 copies in its first week, making it the highest reggaeton album to sell in its first week. By the end of 2007, the album became the top-selling Latin album in the United States with 248,000 copies sold. On March 26, 2009, the album received a Latin album triple platinum certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for shipping 300,000 copies.

In Mexico, the album debut at number five and later received platinum certification for moving 50,000 copies. Also, the album was certified Gold. In Venezuela, the album debut at number 4 on the charts. In Dominican Republic, El Cartel: The Big Boss was named best reggaeton album that year. In Argentina and Ecuador, the album debut at number 4. n Venezuela, it debut and peaked at number 5 at the retail album charts according to Recordland. In Peru, it peaked at number 10 at the retail best selling albums charts. The album also charted in Swerzerland and Spain. In Japan, it debut at number 41 with 4,184 copies sold. As of November 2007, The album sold 800,000 copies worldwide. It hit 900,000 copies in it first 12 months of being released. According to Yankees own label, El Cartel: The Big Boss sold nearly 2 million of copies worldwide.

Critical reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic
Entertainment Weekly	C
PopMatters
The New York Times	(favorable)
Stylus Magazine	C+
The Washington Post	(favorable)
Billboard	(favorable)
Miami New Times	(Negative)
Los Angeles Times

El Cartel: The Big Boss received generally favorable reviews. Most of the critics praised the album's production and Yankee's input, while others criticized some creative decisions and the repetitive formula. Allmusic gave the album a positive review and said the album consists of "potential hits". Rhapsody said, "he once again proves himself the reigning king of reggaeton" and proclaimed that "he's also doing more with hip-hop in the mainland idiom than a lot of artists." While, Jon Pareles from The New York Times praised Yankee's charisma, consistency and ability and stated "Daddy Yankee has grown more earnest. He raps about his street connections, his success, his gratitude to God, his artistic pride and his annoyance with the press". Leisla Cobo form Billboard staff praised the production and mainstream appeal and stated "Above all, this is simply a better-crafted album, at both a songwriting and a production level, than prior efforts".

In a more detailed review, Agustin Gurza from the Los Angeles Times gave the album 3 out 4 stars and wrote a positive review titled "Daddy Yankee knows this best; The rapper, once expected to be a crossover star, mostly stays true to his reggaeton roots". In the review he stated "leaves no doubt that he still has the skill and style that made him stand out from reggaeton's crowded rank-and-file" and about the artist's charisma and talent wrote "leaves no doubt that he still has the skill and style that made him stand out from reggaeton's crowded rank-and-file".

In a more critical review, Andrew Casillas of Stylus Magazine gave a mixed review to the record and compared the album to Daddy Yankee's previous efforts and said, "while the front-loaded standard reggaetón tracks aren't short on hit potential, they're lacking in the sort of charisma that has made Daddy Yankee famous." He then added that "the closing third of the album is quite encouraging. Neil Drumming from Entertainment Weekly, wrote "Here, the steady, dance-floor-quivering rhythms that make reggaeton a club staple are beefed up by hip-hop producers like Scott Storch and will.i.am. The results, nonetheless, are robotic: shrill melodies and beats so rigid and relentless".

Singles

"Impacto" was released as the lead single from the album on April 12, 2007. Simultaneously, the remix version, featuring Fergie was released as a second single. The videos of the two version were released in the Universal Studios. "Mensaje De Estado" was released as the first promotional recording off the album; a short music video then followed. The third official single, "Ella Me Levanto" was also released. In October 2007 was released the official video. The video was recorded in the Dominican Republic.

Track listing

Credits and personnel

Charts and certifications

See also

• List of number-one Billboard Top Latin Albums of 2007
• List of number-one Billboard Latin Rhythm Albums of 2007

References

1. El Cartel: The Big Boss by Daddy Yankee itunes.apple.com. Apple, Inc. Retrieved November 18, 2010.
2. Guerra, Joey (September 20, 2007). "Daddy Yankee stays fresh as reggaetón's master". Chron. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
3. Cohen, Jonathan (April 3, 2007). "Daddy Yankee Drafts Fergie, Akon For New Album". Billboard. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
4. Rodriguez, Jayson. "Daddy Yankee's Spanglish Rapping Proves To Akon He's The Big Boss". MTV News. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
5. Daddy C. "'El mundo sabe que soy el jefe". www.laprensa.hn (in Spanish). Retrieved May 11, 2022.
6. "Nominees for Premio Lo Nuestro 2008 Announced". People. Time, Inc. December 13, 2007. Archived from the original on October 13, 2013. Retrieved September 27, 2013.
7. Ben-Yehuda, Ayala (May 9, 2008). "Reggaeton Gets 'Grand Theft' Push". Billboard. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
8. "Daddy Yankee Tops Billboard Charts". People en Español. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
9. Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. May 19, 2007.
10. Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. December 23, 2006.
11. Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. July 21, 2007.
12. Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. May 19, 2007.
13. "Daddy Yankee 'The Big Boss' en presentación exclusiva para el nuevo programa de contenido original de entretenimiento 'En Privado' | Hispanic PR Wire" (in Spanish). Retrieved May 6, 2022.
14. Reid, Shaheem. "Daddy Yankee Hoping To Light Up Next Album With Diddy, Dre". MTV News. Archived from the original on November 11, 2014. Retrieved February 21, 2022.
15. ^ (Posted: May 22, 2007) The Boss is Back: Daddy Yankee Returns to his Roots latinrapper.com. Retrieved November 18, 2010.
16. "Graba Daddy Yankee 'El cartel'". www.elsiglodetorreon.com.mx (in Spanish). August 10, 2006. Retrieved June 9, 2022.
17. "Daddy Yankee con nuevo disco | La Prensa Panamá". www.prensa.com (in Spanish). August 11, 2006. Retrieved August 24, 2022.
18. "Daddy Yankee prepara su Cartel". People en Español (in Spanish). September 18, 2006. Retrieved October 3, 2022.
19. "Daddy Yankee Promete una revolución". La Prensa. April 12, 2007. ProQuest 370423226.
20. ^ Daddy Yankee's Spanglish Rapping Proves To Akon He's The Big Boss vh1.com. Retrieved November 18, 2010.
21. Daddy Yankee ft. Akon - Bring It On djbooth.net. The DJ Booth, LLC. Retrieved November 19, 2010.
22. Daddy Yankee ft. Fergie - Impacto (Remix) djbooth.net. DJ Booth, LLC. Retrieved November 19, 2010.
23. Peters, Mitchell (April 16, 2007). "Daddy Yankee To Hit The Road". Billboard. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
24. Waddell, Ray (June 8, 2007). "Bon Jovi To Bundle Digital Album, Presale Tickets". Billboard. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
25. Reid, Shaheem. "Daddy Yankee Set To Deliver El Cartel Across The U.S." MTV News. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
26. "MTV Predicts this Summers' Hits by Artists Including Maroon 5, Ne-Yo, Green Day, My Chemical Romance, Common, T.I., Daddy Yankee and More ...; On-Demand Performances and Video Premieres 24/7 All Week Long On MTV.com And On "TRL" Beginning May 29th At 3:30pm ET/PT During "Spankin' New Music Week: Summer Soundtrack"; "Spankin' New Music Week: Summer Soundtrack" To Feature Premiere of New Green Day Video "Working Class Hero," Raising Awareness and Proceeds for Darfur Relief Efforts". PR Newswire. May 24, 2007. ProQuest 447105992.
27. "El Cartel: The Big Boss, el nuevo album de la superestrella del Reggaeton Daddy Yankee, ademas ya están disponibles los boletos para su tour de verano en pre-venta exclusivamente de iTunes y Ticketmaster". PR Newswire Association LLC. May 16, 2007. ProQuest 447273323.
28. Inc, Nielsen Business Media (May 19, 2007). Billboard. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. {{cite book}}: |last= has generic name (help)
29. Ben-Yehuda, Ayala (May 3, 2007). "Wal Mart, MTV Tr3s Get Behind Daddy Yankee". Billboard. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
30. Daddy Yankee - El Cartel: The Big Boss, retrieved May 26, 2022
31. "'So You Think You Can Dance': The Puerto Rican Edition". Vulture. June 22, 2007. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
32. "Daddy Yankee Released from Hospital". People en Español (in Spanish). June 8, 2007. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
33. "Daddy Yankee Hospitalized For Dehydration". Rap-Up. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
34. Sanneh, Kelefa (June 11, 2007). "Take Me Out to the Bling Blineo (I Don't Care if I Ever Get Back)". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
35. "Music On TV: July 30 – August 5". Billboard. July 30, 2007. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
36. "Daddy Yankee actuará en Cane". LOS40CO (in Spanish). October 1, 2007. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
37. "Daddy Yankee debuta en la serie de televisión "Cane"". vanguardia.com.mx (in Mexican Spanish). September 29, 2007. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
38. "Daddy Yankee in Cane!". People en Español (in Spanish). October 2, 2007. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
39. Senneh, Kelefa (October 5, 2007). "Still Dancing as Reggaetón Endures". The New York Times. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
40. Daddy Yankee Reveals U.S. Tour Plans Billboard. Nielson Business Media, Inc. Retrieved November 19, 2010.
41. Cobo, Leila (November 15, 2007). "Daddy Yankee Bosses Latin Tour". Billboard. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
42. "Hits Daily Double: Rumor Mill - Macca mans the bistros". Hits Daily Double. Retrieved April 3, 2020.
43. Katie Hasty, "T-Pain Soars To No. 1 Ahead Of Rihanna, McCartney", Billboard, June 13, 2007.
44. "Se cumplen 11 años de "El Cartel: The Big Boss", cuando Daddy Yankee pasó de cangri a magnate". Heabbi.com (in Spanish). June 5, 2018. Archived from the original on July 17, 2019. Retrieved July 17, 2019.
45. "Latin music sales plummet in 2007". Reuters. December 10, 2007. Retrieved July 17, 2019.
46. "American album certifications – Daddy Yankee – The Big Boss". Recording Industry Association of America.
47. "AMPROFON". amprofon.com.mx. Retrieved December 12, 2019.
48. "Juan Luis Guerra es el que más discos vende". Hoy Digital. September 25, 2007. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
49. "CAPIF::: Representando a la Industra Argentina de la Música:::". archive.vn. July 1, 2007. Archived from the original on July 1, 2007. Retrieved April 5, 2020.
50. "|| RecordLand ||". August 18, 2007. Archived from the original on August 18, 2007. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
51. "Japanese Charts-The newest charts". UKMIX Forums. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
52. ":: Phantom .::". July 2, 2007. Archived from the original on July 2, 2007. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
53. "Daddy Yankee pone a bailar en dos ciudades - NOV. 16, 2007 - Música - Historicos - El Universo". www.eluniverso.com. November 16, 2007. Retrieved May 12, 2020.
54. "El impacto de Daddy Yankee en el mercado anglosajón con "El Cartel: The Big Boss"". Corazon Urbano (in Spanish). June 23, 2020. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
55. "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved June 18, 2024.
56. ^ Jason Birchmeier, ((( El Cartel: The Big Boss > Review ))) Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved November 18, 2010.
57. (Posted: May 25, 2007) Neil Drumming, El Cartel: The Big Boss | Music | EW.com Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved November 19, 2010.
58. (Posted: July 23, 2007) Christopher Catania, Daddy Yankee: El Cartel: The Big Boss < PopMatters popmatter.com. PopMatters Media, Inc. Retrieved November 19, 2010.
59. (Posted: June 4, 2007) Jon Pareles, Critics' Choice: New CDs The New York Times. Retrieved November 19, 2010.
60. ^ Andrew Casillas, Daddy Yankee - El Cartel: The Big Boss - Review Stylus Magazine. Retrieved November 19, 2010.
61. (Posted: June 5, 2007) Dan Charnas, Daddy Yankee, Undisputed 'Boss' Of Reggaeton washingtonpost.com. The Washington Post Company. Retrieved November 19, 2010.
62. "Daddy Yankee Ups the Game on 'El Cartel: The Big Boss'". Billboard.
63. "Daddy Yankee".
64. Rachel Devitt, El Cartel: The Big Boss by Daddy Yankee - Rhapsody Music rhapsody.com. All Music Guide, LLC. Retrieved November 19, 2010.
65. Pareles, Jon. "Critics' Choice: New CDs". The New York Times. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
66. "Daddy Yankee Ups The Game On 'El Cartel: The Big Boss'". Billboard. June 10, 2007. Retrieved May 7, 2022.
67. Gurza, Agustin (June 5, 2007). "POP ALBUM REVIEWS; Daddy Yankee knows this best; The rapper, once expected to be a crossover star, mostly stays true to his reggaeton roots.: [HOME EDITION]". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, Calif. pp. E.2. ISSN 0458-3035. ProQuest 422262431 – via Proquest.
68. "CAPIF ::: Representando a la Industra Argentina de la Música :::". Archived from the original on July 1, 2007. Retrieved July 1, 2007.
69. "Music Plus :: Musicalisimo :: Ecuador". Archived from the original on July 5, 2007. Retrieved July 5, 2007.
70. "エル・カーテル-ザ・ビッグ・ボス- | ダディー・ヤンキー".
71. mexicancharts.com - Daddy Yankee - El Cartel: The Big Boss Archived June 9, 2012, at the Wayback Machine Hung Medien. Retrieved November 18, 2010.
72. "Archived copy" (PDF). proyectos.atmosfera.tv. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 2, 2007. Retrieved January 12, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
73. ":: Phantom .::". www.phantom.com.pe:80. Archived from the original on July 2, 2007. Retrieved May 15, 2022.
74. spanishcharts.com - Daddy Yankee - El Cartel: The Big Boss Hung Medien. Retrieved November 18, 2010.
75. Daddy Yankee - El Cartel: The Big Boss - swisscharts.com Hung Medien. Retrieved November 18, 2010.
76. Daddy Yankee Album & Song Chart History Billboard 200 for Daddy Yankee. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 18, 2010.
77. Daddy Yankee Album & Song Chart History Digital Albums for Daddy Yankee. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 18, 2010.
78. Daddy Yankee Album & Song Chart History Top Latin Albums for Daddy Yankee. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 18, 2010.
79. Daddy Yankee Album & Song Chart History Top Rap Albums for Daddy Yankee. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved November 18, 2010.
80. "Certificaciones" (in Spanish). Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Type Daddy Yankee in the box under the ARTISTA column heading and El Cartel: The Big Boss in the box under the TÍTULO column heading.
81. "American album certifications – Daddy Yankee – El Cartel: The Big Boss". Recording Industry Association of America.

• 2007 albums
• Daddy Yankee albums
• Albums produced by Akon
• Albums produced by will.i.am
• Albums produced by Just Blaze
• Albums produced by Scott Storch
• Albums produced by Luny Tunes
• Albums produced by Nely