OLDIES SUNDAY: @Daddy_Yankee – Gasolina (2004)

In the spirit of Summer 2023, why not give you another Summer hit? For today’s Oldies Sunday selection, we head over to Puerto Rico to hear Daddy Yankee’s “Gasolina“!

Produced by Luny Tunes and released through Machete Music/El Cartel Records in 2004, Daddy Yankee stepped out with an energetic track in “Gasolina”. Singer La Gata Gangster was an uncredited Artist on the song as she was the voice behind the chorus. While many theories were about the true meaning of the song, it was primarily aimed at the ladies who love to have fun. “Gasolina” is a popular phrase in Puerto Rico to refer to the girls having fun, and Yankee made a song paying tribute to that. The single gained gradual popularity in Latin America, and successfully crossed over to the US and European market, securing mostly top 20 chart placements in various countries. It was later remixed by a number of Artists including Lil Jon and Pitbull, was featured in a number of Films including “The Benchwarmers” and “Fast X“, was used by Universal Studios, MLB, and UFC, and was a part of former US Republic presidential nominee John McCain’s campaign in 2008.

“Gasolina” went on to create history as one of the key components that opened the doors for the Reggaeton movement to become globally recognized. It also was the first Reggaeton song to receive a nomination at the 2005 Latin Grammy Awards for Record Of The Year. The song was featured on Daddy Yankee’s “Barrio Fino” album, and propelled it to platinum status. “Gasolina” was the recipient of many awards, has been included in the “500 Greatest Songs Of All Time” by Rolling Stone, and was selected by the US Library of Congress for preservation in the US National Recording Registry.

Since the release of “Gasolina”, Daddy Yankee went on to become the “King of Reggaeton”, produced a catalogue of hits, recognized by CNN and Time Magazine, winner of many awards, and is still very active in music. “Gasolina” remains one of his most popular hits, and a Summer favourite.