Daddy Yankee Wins Best Latino Artist at 2013 MTV Video Music Awards

Boricua Regaetonero Daddy Yankee won the Best Latino Artist of 2013 award at the MTV Video Music Awards, beating other artists like Jesse & Joy, Don Omar, Alejandro Sanz and Pitbull, the Huffington Post reported.

The 36-year-old artist has proven to be one of the most influential Latin musicians of his time, not only in the Latin America community but also across the world.

Last month, the "Gasolina" singer was also recognized for his musical career at the 2013 edition of the "Premios Tu Mundo" (Your World Awards). He received the "Poder Musical" (Musical Power) award, which was presented for the very first time, People en Español reported. In a statement, Telemundo said that Daddy Yankee was an innovator in his genre and has also placed "urban music not only on the map, but on top of the music charts all over the world."

The "Poder Musical" award is reserved only for artists take over the world of music with their talent, courage and innovative power, according to TVbytheNumbers. The "Limbo" singer has stood out for his unstoppable success in his 15 years in the music industry.

Hard work has definitely paid off for the Latin rapper, who was raised in a tough neighborhood called Villa Kennedy where he suffered the consequences of growing up among gangs and shot three times, with one of those bullets almost costing him his life.

"Having seen myself so close to death, today I cannot tell you otherwise than 'I am blessed!'" Daddy Yankee told Spanish news site 20minutos.es.

The singer left behind his humble upbringing and was the first to turn gritty Spanish-language free-style into commercial success. He transcended cultural boundaries with his 2004 mainstream breakthrough "Barrio Fino," which featured the international hit single "Gasolina." By the time his 2007 follow-up album, "El Cartel: The Big Boss," was released he had transformed himself into an international name brand.

"El Boss," as he likes to call himself, is known for producing party anthems. "My style of music is unique - it makes people want to dance and have fun. I have fans from all around the world that don't speak either English or Spanish, but they still buy my music and go to my shows," he told ourstage.com in January.