The world of reggaeton is holding its breath. Daddy Yankee, the artist who helped shape the genre, finds himself in an unexpected legal mess. A battle with his ex-wife, Mireddys González, could stop him from using his iconic stage name. Even his short nickname, "DY," might be off limits. An insider, who spoke exclusively to Us Weekly en Español, revealed a big problem. The "Gasolina" hitmaker faces a court order. It might stop him from using his famous stage name, Daddy Yankee. This ban applies to all his music and business deals. It’s all part of his ongoing court fight with his ex-wife, Mireddys González. "We just don’t know what will happen," the source said, "if he can’t use all the names mentioned in that document." It’s a really uncertain time for the Puerto Rican superstar’s future.
His Name, His Legacy
For nearly 30 years, Daddy Yankee has been a household name. Born Raymond Ayala, 48, he built a global brand that’s completely tied to who he is. Think about it: from his first album, No Mercy, in 1995, to his farewell record, Legendaddy, in 2023, his stage name is Latin music history. It means success and power.
That’s why a legal paper popping up online has everyone worried. It’s a "cease and desist" letter from Mireddys González’s legal team. The source explained that this document stops Ayala from using his stage name or any related names. This ban stays until they sort out who owns the brands and assets from his old company with Mireddys. The ban, as shown in a document shared by @elgeneroofficial on Instagram, covers a long list. It includes "Daddy Yankee," "DY," "Sikiri," "Dura," "El Cangri," "El Cartel," "The Big Boss," "Big Boss," "Los Cangris," "Legendaddy," and "El Cartel Records." "We also don’t know about his rumored return to music as DY," the source added. "He just can’t use the name his fans have loved for nearly thirty years." Mireddys González and Raymond Ayala officially divorced on February 17, 2025.
Raymond Ayala: A New Beginning?
Daddy Yankee didn’t sit still. The source confirmed he filed a federal lawsuit right after getting the notice that banned his name. "Yes, Daddy Yankee started the federal lawsuit once he got that ban on his stage name," the insider stated. This lawsuit, filed in Puerto Rico’s Federal Court (as reported by Listín Diario), makes serious claims. It accuses Mireddys of mismanaging businesses and taking assets during her time running El Cartel Records. This was a company they started together. The lawsuit also points to deleted work emails and money moved without permission.
The source really stressed how big of a blow this ban would be for Daddy Yankee’s career: "Sadly, music today lives by algorithms and search engines," the source explained. "Raymond has 90 million followers across his platforms. His fans search for ‘Daddy Yankee.’ If he can’t use that name, he’d have to use Raymond Ayala, his real name. But that name just doesn’t connect with his fans. It would be like starting from scratch." Us Weekly en Español reached out to both Daddy Yankee and Mireddys González for their comments.
Echoes of Prince
This whole situation brings back memories of Prince in the 1990s. He famously fought his record label, Warner Bros., over his stage name. Prince chose to change his name to a symbol no one could say. He signed his work as "The Artist Formerly Known as Prince." That case set a big example in the music world. It showed how much an artist wants control over their art and their name. If Daddy Yankee can’t fix his legal troubles, he might face a very similar path.
Mireddys Steps Out
While the court battle continues, Mireddys González, 46, was recently seen out in public. She attended the baby shower for Natti Natasha and Raphy Pina last Saturday. The event took place at a shopping center in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Mireddys looked happy and at ease. She was with friends from the music scene. This made some people wonder about her mood, given the ongoing court fight. According to El Farandi, Mireddys hasn’t officially commented on the letter or the lawsuit yet. However, her legal team says the goal isn’t to fully stop Daddy Yankee from using his name. Instead, they want to figure out who owns the brand and how it can be used for business.
Stage Lights and Legal Shadows
The most pressing question is how he’ll show up at the 2025 Billboard Latin Music Awards. He’s set to be one of the main musical performers. On top of that, the Puerto Rican artist is scheduled to speak at Billboard Latin Music Week 2025. There, he was planning to announce his career comeback, specifically as “DY.” But if the court order holds, he might not be able to use “Daddy Yankee.” Not even “DY” will be an option. "We have no idea how they’ll announce him," the source concluded. "It’s a really messy situation." The 2025 Billboard Latin Music Awards will happen on Thursday, October 23. You can watch them live on Telemundo and Peacock from the James L. Knight Center in Miami.