Daddy Yankee to Publish His First Book: Here’s What We Know

Daddy Yankee will publish his first book, titled ReaDY! The Power to Change Your Story. 

HarperCollins Publishers announced on Wednesday (Sept. 4) that it has acquired all languages rights to the inspirational work by the artist (born Raymond Ayala). The rights were acquired by Cris Garrido, VP and Publisher of Spanish. 

“Raymond has been inspiring and entertaining millions of people over the past three decades as Daddy Yankee,” said Garrido in a press statement. “We’re excited to partner with him in this new chapter of his life and career as an author. I’ve loved working with Raymond on the book — it reflects the same level of commitment and excellence that he brings to everything he does. The storytelling is rich and captivating, and he does a wonderful job of drawing from his own experiences and life lessons to show readers of all walks of life that we each have the power to change our stories.”

The book — “where music, resilience and faith converge in a story filled with trials, triumphs and transformative lessons” — is expected to publish in April 2025 in Spanish by HarperCollins Enfoque in the Americas, HarperCollins Iberica in Spain and in English by Dey Street Books with Carrie Thornton, VP and Publisher of Dey Street Books.

“Dey Street Books is proud to partner with our colleagues at Enfoque as the publisher of Daddy Yankee’s first book,” said Thornton. “Raymond Ayala Rodriguez is a pioneer in the music world and a cultural ambassador. As an author, he will have the opportunity to speak to his millions of fans, and a legion of readers, in a more intimate and in-depth way than he ever has before. As the publisher of the English-language edition of ‘ReaDY,’ Dey Street is excited to collaborate with Daddy Yankee and his team to reach new audiences and do what we do best, help launch cultural conversations.”

Yankee opened up about his new life chapter during his four back-to-back farewell concerts in Puerto Rico late last year. 

“For many years I’ve tried filling a void in my life that no one could fill,” the global Latin urban star, known for spearheading the reggaetón movement with his 2004 breakthrough hit “Gasolina,” told fans at the time. “I tried finding a purpose — on many occasions it seemed as if I was happy, but something was missing for me to feel complete. I have to confess that those days are over, and someone was able to fill that void that I felt for a lot of time. I realized that for everyone I was someone, but I was no one without him.”