His musical influences range from Wilfrido Vargas, Fernando Villalona, Sergio Vargas and Juan Luis Guerra to Luis Miguel, Elvis Presley, Julio Iglesias and The Doors, although Santacruz has cited that his biggest musical influence was his mother, who from an early age used to sing boleros to him and also used to make imaginary interviews to a young Daniel with a small tape recorder.

In 2003 together with Ambiorix Francisco, Santacruz produced his first solo album: Por un beso, earning a nomination for Premio Lo Nuestro as Best New Artist.

History repeats itself in 2011 when his third album Bachata Stereo produced again with Jaén in collaboration with Richy Rojas, with just two months on the market receives again a nomination in the Latin Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Tropical Album His song "Lento", a sensual Kizomba fusion which has a video with the Kizomba dancer sensation: Sara Lopez is one of Daniel's biggest hits.

Daniel Santacruz is considered a hit maker, since 2004 Santacruz has written top charting songs for artists such as Prince Royce (Incondicional, Soy El Mismo, Culpa Al Corazón, La Carretera), Shakira (Deja Vu feat Prince Royce), Ha*Ash (Me Gustas Tu), Hector Acosta (Tu veneno, Aprenderé, No moriré, Ojala), Toby Love (Lejos), Reik (Me duele amarte), Monchy y Alexandra (Perdidos, No es una novela), Leslie Grace, Victor Manuel, Charlie Cruz, José Feliciano, Milly Quezada, Andy Andy among others.

Since 2004, Daniel has received 12 ASCAP awards (American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers), 3 Billboards, 2 Latin American Music Awards, and 3 Premio Lo Nuestro for the songs "Perdidos" and "No Es Una Novela" (performed by the famous Dominican duet Monchy y Alexandra), and "Soy El Mismo" performed Prince Royce besides 6 Latin Grammy nominations for 3 of his own albums and some of his songs.