Ivy Queen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Ivy Queen
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Ivy Queen in 2010
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Martha Ivelisse Pesante Rodríguez
March 4, 1972 |
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| Years active | 1995–present |
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Martha Ivelisse Pesante Rodríguez (born March 4, 1972), known by her stage name Ivy Queen, is a famous rapper, singer, and actress from Puerto Rico. She is known as the "Queen of Reggaeton" because she was one of the first artists to make reggaeton music popular.
Ivy Queen started her career in a music group called The Noise in San Juan, Puerto Rico. In 1996, she decided to become a solo artist. She released her first album, En Mi Imperio (In My Empire).
She became very famous with her third album, Diva, in 2003. Many of her albums, like Diva, Flashback, and Sentimiento, have sold so many copies that they earned Gold and Platinum awards from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Her songs often talk about empowering women, social issues, and relationships.
Ivy Queen is one of the most successful reggaeton artists. In 2017, her net worth was estimated at $10 million. She also hosts a Spotify podcast called Loud, where she talks about the history of reggaeton.
Contents
Early Life and First Steps in Music
Ivy Queen was born in Añasco, Puerto Rico. Her family moved to New York City when she was young. She studied music at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center.
When she was 18, she moved back to San Juan. There, she met a producer named DJ Negro, who invited her to join a music group called The Noise. This group was part of the new reggaeton scene. Ivy Queen's first song with them was "Somos Raperos Pero No Delincuentes" (We are Rappers, Not Delinquents). She wanted to write songs about more than just the usual topics in reggaeton.
DJ Negro encouraged her to start a solo career. In 1997, she released her first album, En Mi Imperio. A year later, she released her second album, The Original Rude Girl. It featured a mix of hip hop and Spanish songs. One of its singles, "In the Zone," was a minor hit.
Career Breakthrough
2003–2004: Diva and Mainstream Success
After a short break, Ivy Queen's music started to get popular. Her song "Quiero Bailar" became a huge hit. In this song, she sang about how women should be respected on the dance floor.
In 2003, she released her third album, Diva. This album was very important because it helped bring reggaeton to a wider audience. It was so successful that it was certified platinum by the RIAA. Because of its success, she released a special platinum edition of the album in 2004.
Later that year, she released her fourth album, Real. It included collaborations with famous artists like Fat Joe and La India. The album had another top 10 single, "Dile".
2005–2007: Flashback and Sentimiento
In 2005, Ivy Queen started her own record label called Filtro Musik. She released her fifth album, Flashback, which included hit songs like "Cuéntale" and "Te He Querido, Te He Llorado".
Her sixth album, Sentimiento, came out in 2007. She wanted to show a different side of reggaeton with this album. She said, "Love is what makes us write things, what keeps us alive." The album had a top 10 hit, "Que Lloren". Sentimiento was nominated for a Latin Grammy Award.
During this time, there was some competition between Ivy Queen and the group Calle 13. After Calle 13 won several awards, Ivy Queen felt that other artists were not getting enough recognition.
2008–2012: Drama Queen and Musa
In 2010, Ivy Queen signed a major deal with Machete Music. She released her next album, Drama Queen. She said she wrote many of the songs while she was feeling heartbroken. The album was a success, reaching number three on the Top Latin Albums chart. It was also nominated for a Latin Grammy Award.
Her eighth album, Musa, was released in 2012. She said that taking a break from the media helped her grow as an artist. The album mixed reggaeton with other rhythms and was also nominated for a Latin Grammy.
2013–Present: Vendetta and Continued Success
In 2015, Ivy Queen released her ninth album, Vendetta. This was a unique project made of four separate mini-albums. Each one focused on a different genre: urban, hip hop, bachata, and salsa.
In February 2020, she started a world tour, but it had to be stopped because of the COVID-19 pandemic. She continued to record new music from home.
In 2023, Ivy Queen performed her first concert in Puerto Rico in 15 years. In 2024, she made history as the first reggaeton artist to have her own concert at the famous Carnegie Hall in New York City. In 2025, she released a new single called "Casi Casi," which is the first song from her upcoming tenth album.
Musical Style and Message
Ivy Queen is known for her powerful voice and her unique style. She mixes reggaeton with other genres like hip hop, salsa, and bachata. Her biggest influences include the famous singers Selena and Celia Cruz.
Her lyrics often focus on empowering women. She sings about standing up for yourself and not letting anyone put you down. In her song "Que Lloren," she challenges the idea that men should not show their emotions. In "Quiero Bailar," she makes it clear that just because a woman dances with someone, it doesn't mean anything more. She wants her music to have a strong message that people can connect with.
Legacy and Influence
Ivy Queen is often called the "Queen of Reggaeton" because she paved the way for other artists in a genre that was mostly led by men. She has been called a "trailblazer" and an icon for Latin music.
Many awards have recognized her career. In 2019, she was inducted into the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame. In 2023, she received the Musical Legacy Award at the Premio Lo Nuestro awards and the Icon Award at the Billboard Women in Music event.
Many younger artists have been inspired by Ivy Queen, including:
- Karol G
- Bad Bunny
- Natti Natasha
- Cardi B
- Rosalía
- Young Miko
Personal Life
Ivy Queen was married to singer Omar Navarro from 1994 to 2005. In 2012, she married choreographer Xavier Sánchez. They have a daughter who was born in 2013. Ivy Queen announced in 2024 that she and Sánchez had separated.
She is also a spokesperson for the cancer charity Susan G. Komen for the Cure. She supports this cause because her mother is a cancer survivor.
Discography
Studio albums
- 1997: En Mi Imperio
- 1998: The Original Rude Girl
- 2003: Diva
- 2004: Real
- 2005: Flashback
- 2007: Sentimiento
- 2010: Drama Queen
- 2012: Musa
- 2015: Vendetta
See also
In Spanish: Ivy Queen para niños
- List of Puerto Ricans
- History of women in Puerto Rico
