El Cartel: The Big Boss

El Cartel: The Big Boss
Studio album by
ReleasedJune 5, 2007
RecordedAugust 2006–April 2007
Studio
Genre
Length77:49
Language
Label
Producer
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
  1. "Impacto"
    Released: April 12, 2007
  2. "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).[1] 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.[2][3][4][5]

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.[6] 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.[7]

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,[8] His third consecutive album to do so, following Barrio Fino en Directo in 2006[9][10] and Barrio Fino in 2005, that were top sellers in the two previous years.[11][12] 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.[13]

  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.[dead link]
  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.