"Daniel Ballesteros, an Ecuadorian-Mexican rapper living in New York, has transformed the city's subway into his personal stage. Leaving behind a steady job in construction, Daniel took the bold step of pursuing music full-time, and now performs for daily commuters in the bustling underground. It hasn't been an easy journey. Alongside applause, he faces indifferent crowds and occasional harassment from police."
"Daniel grew up in a poor neighborhood in eastern Ecuador with five siblings. His mother left when they were young, and he and his five siblings were raised by their father. Music has always been central to his life. As a child his mornings began with the sound of his father's guitar, strumming the songs of Julio Jaramillothe Nightingale of the Americas from Guayaquilor Jose Jose, Mexico's Prince of Song."
"Daniel first arrived in the United States at 17, but instead of settling, he chose to travel across Latin America. When he returned to New York, he found work in construction. Still, his love for rap eventually pulled him back to musicand to the subway, where he reclaimed his voice. A turning point came when a video of one of his subway performances went viral."
Daniel Ballesteros is an Ecuadorian-Mexican rapper who performs in the New York subway for daily commuters. He grew up in a poor neighborhood in eastern Ecuador, raised by his father alongside five siblings after his mother left. Early mornings featured his father's guitar and songs by Julio Jaramillo and Jose Jose. He began writing rap at eight and later rapped on buses after dropping out due to financial strain. He first arrived in the United States at 17, traveled across Latin America, then worked in construction in New York. He returned to music full-time, reclaimed his voice in the subway, and a viral performance expanded his audience and led to club gigs and collaborations. He faces indifferent crowds and occasional police harassment but continues pursuing his dream.
Read at www.amny.com
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