Just when you thought things were simmering down between Daddy Yankee and his ex-wife Mireddys González, there is new legal drama, and it's far from over. The reggaeton star has now filed a new federal lawsuit against Mireddys and her sister, Ayeicha González-Castellanos.
© GettyAccording to the 27-page filing, he's accusing the sisters of “secretly deleting and withholding essential business records with the deliberate intention of causing harm” related to his companies, El Cartel Records, Inc., and Los Cangris, Inc.
Daddy Yankee, whose real name is Ramón Luis Ayala Rodríguez, and his legal team are demanding $12 million in damages. The suit describes the situation as “a deep betrayal of trust and a deliberate campaign to undermine the integrity of a business from within.”
The filing also claims the sisters acted strategically, not carelessly. “These actions were not accidental or negligent: they were calculated and executed precisely at the moment the defendants were about to lose control of the legal entities,” it reads, pointing to an earlier state court lawsuit that came after the alleged transfer of $100 million out of the companies.
© Icon SportswireAccording to the complaint, the sisters disrupted business operations by deleting key communications related to major deals, including the multi-million dollar sale of Daddy Yankee’s music catalog and his massive farewell tour, La Última Vuelta World Tour, organized through El Cartel Records.
© Getty ImagesThere's also a new accusation that late last year, when the first lawsuit was filed in Puerto Rico, the sisters deleted a company email account that held sensitive data. “Under the pretext of protecting personal privacy, the defendants abused and exploited their access to destroy valuable historical company information,” the suit claims. It says that data was critical to ongoing operations, legal matters, and the winding down of the business.
On top of the $12 million in damages, Daddy Yankee is also asking for $5 million in punitive damages for each of the two companies, plus $1 million in compensatory damages per company.
The constant back and forth between the former couple has had a significant impact on their family. While his eldest daughter has stepped into a leadership role for the company, his younger daughter Jesaaelys confirmed their relationship is "more than lacerated."
The new lawsuit comes after Daddy Yankee unretired from music after 3 years. Earlier this month, he dropped "Sonríele," which translates to "smile at it." This could potentially be the aim of the "Gasolina" singer, as he pursues numerous lawsuits.
Divorce, legal battles, and a musical comeback
The dispute over the companies began in December 2024, when the González sisters allegedly transferred a total of $100 million from corporate bank accounts into their personal accounts without the artist’s knowledge or consent.
© Formula 1 via Getty ImagesThe couple’s separation was confirmed around that time, and the divorce was finalized on February 19 after nearly 30 years of marriage and two children together.
Since then, legal battles in state court have been ongoing, and now the case has moved to federal court. On May 30, for instance, Daddy Yankee requested the dismissal of a civil contempt motion and a $5,000 daily fine filed against him by his ex-wife.
Additionally, after stepping away from music in 2022, the singer announced his return this year—under a new stage name—reportedly to stop generating income for his ex-wife.
New name, new sound: A fresh chapter begins
© Getty ImagesNearly three years after his retirement, Daddy Yankee is returning to music—but under a new stage name and with a fresh musical direction inspired by his current lifestyle.
The reggaeton icon surprised fans by announcing his comeback after having stepped away from the stage in December 2023 to focus on his spiritual life. On July 10, he released a new single titled “Sonríele,” marking the beginning of this new chapter in his career.
Now, Ramón Ayala has left behind the name Daddy Yankee and reintroduced himself as DY, a move that reflects his new direction in music following his embrace of Christianity. While he hasn’t specifically said he’ll focus on religious music, he’s stressed that his new work will center on empowerment and positive messages.
He announced his return on his official Instagram account, sharing an emotional video alongside actor and singer Anthony Ramos. In the clip, Ramos arrives at a home where the artist greets him, and after a warm hello, the 'Big Boss' declares, “I'm back.”
