Ivy Queen facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ivy Queen
Ivy Queen in 2010
Born	Martha Ivelisse Pesante Rodríguez (1972-03-04) March 4, 1972 (age 53) Añasco, Puerto Rico
Other names	The Queen of Reggaeton La Diva La Caballota La Potra La Cocorota La Mama de los Pollitos
Occupation	Rapper singer songwriter actress
Years active	1995–present
Spouse(s)	Omar Navarro ​ ​ (m. 1994; div. 2005)​ Xavier Sánchez ​ ​ (m. 2012; sep. 2024)​
Musical career
Genres	Reggaetón hip hop Latin
Labels	Sony Discos (1997–99) Real (2003–04) Universal Latino (2004) Univision (2005–08) Drama (2007–12) Machete (2010–12) Siente (2012–present) Ivy Queen Musa Sound (2012–present)

Martha Ivelisse Pesante Rodríguez (born March 4, 1972), known as Ivy Queen, is a rapper, singer, and actress from Puerto Rico. Many people call her the "Queen of Reggaeton" because she helped start this music style.

Ivy Queen began her music journey in a group called The Noise in Puerto Rico. She was the only girl in the group. In 1996, she started her solo career and released her first album, En Mi Imperio. Later, her second album, The Original Rude Girl, came out.

She became very famous after releasing her third album, Diva, in 2003. Her albums Diva, Flashback, and Sentimiento have all sold many copies and earned Gold and Platinum awards. Her music often talks about strong women, social issues, and relationships.

Ivy Queen is one of the most successful reggaeton artists. She also hosts a Spotify podcast called Loud, where she shares the history of reggaeton.

Early Life and Music Beginnings

Ivy Queen was born in Añasco, Puerto Rico. When she was young, her parents moved to New York, where she grew up. She didn't finish high school, stopping in eleventh grade. However, she studied music at a performing arts school in New Jersey.

When she was 18, Ivy Queen moved to San Juan, Puerto Rico. There, she met DJ Negro, a rapper and producer. In 1995, DJ Negro invited her to join an all-male group called The Noise. This group was part of the growing reggaeton music scene.

Ivy Queen appeared on the group's fifth CD with a song called "Somos Raperos Pero No Delincuentes" (We are Rappers, Not Delinquents). She wanted to write about more than just violent topics, which were common in reggaeton at the time.

First Albums and Growing Fame

DJ Negro encouraged Ivy Queen to become a solo artist. In 1997, she released her first solo album, En Mi Imperio, which included the popular song "Como Mujer". In 1998, she released her second album, The Original Rude Girl. This album featured artists like Don Chezina and Wyclef Jean. It was a mix of hip hop and reggaeton, but it didn't sell many copies.

After her first two albums didn't become big hits, Sony stopped working with her in 1999. Ivy Queen took a break from music. In 2001 and 2002, her songs started appearing on reggaeton compilation albums. Songs like "Quiero Bailar" and "Quiero Saber" became popular. With "Quiero Bailar", Ivy Queen became a strong female voice in a music style mostly led by men. The song famously told her dance partner not to misunderstand her moves.

In 2003, Ivy Queen and her husband at the time, Gran Omar, signed with an independent label called Real Music. They appeared on the label's first album, Jams Vol. 1. Ivy Queen also performed often on a reggaeton TV show called "The Roof".

Diva and Real Albums

In 2003, Ivy Queen released Diva, her third album. It had popular songs like "Quiero Bailar". This album was very important because it helped reggaeton become popular with more people in 2004. Because Diva was so successful, Ivy Queen released a special platinum edition in 2004. This platinum edition was nominated for "Reggaeton Album of the Year" at the 2005 Billboard Latin Music Awards. "Quiero Bailar" was the first Spanish song to reach number one on a major American radio chart that usually didn't play Spanish music.

Ivy Queen's fourth album, Real, was originally planned to be her first album entirely in English. She wanted to reach new audiences, especially in the English rap market. Sony offered her a deal for an English album after seeing that her previous albums were popular even in London. Real included songs with artists like Fat Joe and La India. The American hip-hop producer Swizz Beatz produced a song called "Soldados". The album came out on November 16, 2004, and featured the popular song "Dile", which was nominated for an award.

Flashback and Sentimiento Albums

In 2005, Ivy Queen started her own record label called Filtro Musik with José Guadalupe. Later that year, Univision Records teamed up with Filtro Musik to promote Ivy Queen's fifth album, Flashback (2005). This helped the album reach many music stores. Her first collection of hits, The Best of Ivy Queen, was also released that year. Flashback came out on October 29, 2005, and included songs like "Cuéntale" and "Te He Querido, Te He Llorado". At the 2006 Billboard Latin Music Awards, Flashback was nominated for "Reggaeton Album of the Year" for the second year in a row.

In Calle 13's parody of Queen's "Que Lloren", Residente (pictured) asks her to cut herself with a razor.

In April 2007, Ivy Queen released her sixth album, Sentimiento. She started working on it in 2006. This album featured more solo songs instead of duets. She wanted to show a different side of reggaeton, explaining that it's not just for dancing. She said, "Love is what makes us write things, what keeps us alive." The album had a top 10 hit called "Que Lloren" and other popular songs like "En Que Fallamos".

Drama Queen and Musa Albums

Queen performing in 2010

In 2008, Queen released the song "Dime", which was on her first live album, Ivy Queen 2008 World Tour LIVE!. In April 2010, she signed with Machete Music. This deal meant they would share profits from her tours, sponsorships, and merchandise.

Her album Drama Queen was released on July 10, 2010. Ivy Queen said she started writing songs for this album when she was feeling heartbroken. The album had 16 songs out of 26 she wrote during that time. Drama Queen sold well and was nominated for "Best Urban Music Album" at the 2011 Latin Grammy Awards.

On August 21, 2012, Queen's eighth album, Musa, was released. It reached number 15 on the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart. She said that taking two years away from the public helped her emotionally and mentally. She described the album as "very mature and complete," blending urban and reggaeton styles with other rhythms and instruments. Musa was also nominated for "Best Urban Music Album" at the 2013 Latin Grammy Awards.

Vendetta and Recent Work

In September 2013, Ivy Queen announced she was working with Jorge "Goguito" Guadalupe again to release her ninth album, Vendetta. After having her first biological child, Queen started a U.S. tour called the "Viva Puerto Rico Tour" in January 2014.

Her ninth album, Vendetta, was released on February 3, 2015. An earlier version, Vendetta: First Round, came out in December 2014. This version included four songs and a documentary about making the album. The album was unique because it was released as four separate albums at the same time, each focusing on a different music style: urban, hip hop, bachata, and salsa. Each version had eight songs and featured different artists.

In February 2020, Queen started her Raiz No Rama World Tour, but it had to end early because of the COVID-19 pandemic. She continued to make new music from home. In 2024, Ivy Queen made history by being the first reggaeton artist to headline a concert at Carnegie Hall.

Musical Style and Messages

Ivy Queen's music is mainly reggaeton, which mixes Latin and Caribbean sounds. But she also sings in other styles like hip hop, salsa, merengue, and bachata. She has shown she can be the "Queen of Bachata" too. She has also recorded salsa songs.

Ivy Queen looks up to classic salsa singers like Celia Cruz and La Lupe. Her biggest influence is Selena, and she even paid tribute to her on her album Flashback with a reggaeton version of "Si Una Vez". She also admires Jennifer Lopez, Queen Latifah, Gloria Estefan, Madonna, and Missy Elliott.

Lyrics and Themes

Ivy Queen said that to stand out in reggaeton, which was mostly male-dominated, she needed to share a strong female point of view. She felt God gave her a powerful voice that wasn't too feminine or masculine. She believes her success comes from always having something important to say in her songs. She makes music that people can dance to, but she also stands up for women and their power.

Queen likes to sing about defending women, and she also talks about social issues, love, and heartbreak. She writes songs that "put bad men in their places or stand up for single mothers." In "Que Lloren", she talks about romance from a woman's side and challenges the idea that men shouldn't cry. In "Quiero Bailar", she tells a partner not to think that dancing means she will go home with him. She wants her songs to have a clear message that people can understand. Her song "Mi Barrio" talks about problems in her hometown of Añasco, Puerto Rico.

Legacy and Influence

Many people see Ivy Queen as the "only important female reggaeton rapper." She is known as the "Queen of Reggaeton" in a music style that was mostly for men. She is also called "La Diva," "La Potra," "La Caballota," and "La Reina." She has become a leading female voice in Latin urban and reggaeton music and a global icon for Latin music. She is considered a "trailblazer" in reggaeton.

In 2013, Latina magazine named Ivy Queen the best Latina rapper of all time. In 2017, she was nominated to be part of the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame, and she was inducted in 2019. In 2021, she received the Urban Icon Award for her music and for inspiring others in Latin urban music. In 2023, she received the Musical Legacy Award at the Lo Nuestro Awards, becoming the first female artist to get this honor. That same year, Billboard recognized her with the Icon Award for her historic contributions to music. Billboard also ranked her number 8 on their list of the 50 best Spanish-language rappers of all time.

Artists Influenced by Ivy Queen

Many artists say Ivy Queen has influenced their music. These include reggaeton duo Jowell & Randy, Colombian singer Farina, Dominican singer Natti Natasha, American singer Mariah Angeliq, Colombian singers Karol G and Kali Uchis, Mexican singer Bellakath, Spanish singers Bad Gyal and Rosalía, Puerto Rican rappers Bad Bunny, Villano Antillano, Young Miko, and American rappers Bia and Cardi B.

Helping Others

Ivy Queen is a spokesperson for the cancer charity Susan G. Komen for the Cure because her mother survived cancer. She took part in a charity run in Puerto Rico called "Carrera por una Cura" (Run for a Cure) to help prevent and cure cancer. In 2012, the governor of California, Jerry Brown, declared June 10 as “Ivy Queen Day” in West Hollywood to honor her work supporting LGBT rights. In 2021, Queen performed at the official Latino celebration for US president Joe Biden.

Other Projects

Ivy Queen has been writing her autobiography, Detrás Del Glamour (Behind Glamour), since late 2007. She said she is writing it to share her life story and the challenges she faced, like being homeless and not having food while trying to make it in music.

In December 2009, Ivy Queen launched her own reggaeton doll named "Queenie." The doll had her famous long fingernails and came with a device that played remixes of her songs.

In February 2012, Queen made her acting debut in a Spanish play called "The ... Monologues" in Orlando, Florida.

Loud: The History of Reggaeton Podcast

In August 2021, Ivy Queen narrated the Spotify Studios podcast Loud: The History of Reggaeton. The podcast explores where reggaeton came from in Panama and Puerto Rico. It also talks about how popular the music style is around the world today.

Personal Life

Ivy Queen was married to fellow reggaeton singer Omar Navarro, known as Gran Omar. They divorced in 2005 after nine years of marriage. She said their busy travel schedules and his work as a producer led to the end of their marriage.

Ivy Queen married Puerto Rican choreographer Xavier Sánchez in late 2012. In June 2013, she announced they were expecting their first child. Before becoming pregnant, Queen had adopted two Latino children. Her baby was born in November 2013. In 2024, Queen announced that she and her husband had separated. In June 2016, Queen's father passed away from lung cancer.

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

Awards and Nominations

Filmography

Film and Television Appearances

Guest Appearances

Images for kids

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  Ivy Queen in 2010

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  Residente in 2009

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  Ivy Queen performing in 2010