Typical music from Puerto Rico and Central America. An urban mix of hip-hop, rap and reggae-dance. Born in the early '90s called "Underground". Back then, it had a more tropical beat, hence the 'reggae' part of the name.
During it's origin, Reggaeton was often banned from the radio and the music was distributed under the table because most of the songs' lyrics were relationed to sex, drugs and violence.
It has now evolutioned into a genuine genre, and is at its peak.
During it's origin, Reggaeton was often banned from the radio and the music was distributed under the table because most of the songs' lyrics were relationed to sex, drugs and violence.
It has now evolutioned into a genuine genre, and is at its peak.
Among some of the pioneer artists are:
Vico C, The Noise, Las Guanabanas, Las Gargolas, DJ Playero, Alberto Stylee, Big Boy.
Some of today's most famous reggaeton artists include:
Daddy Yankee, Don Omar, Tego Calderon, Ivy Queen, Calle 13, Eddie Dee, Tito "El Bambino", Hector "El Father", Wisin & Yandel, Zion, Lenox, Nicky Jam, many, many more...
Vico C, The Noise, Las Guanabanas, Las Gargolas, DJ Playero, Alberto Stylee, Big Boy.
Some of today's most famous reggaeton artists include:
Daddy Yankee, Don Omar, Tego Calderon, Ivy Queen, Calle 13, Eddie Dee, Tito "El Bambino", Hector "El Father", Wisin & Yandel, Zion, Lenox, Nicky Jam, many, many more...
by Colegial June 29, 2006
Reggaeton is the combonation between latin hip-hop and jamaican reggae, and thats where it gets its name from because its sounded more like reggae then hip-hop back then when it first started. After reggaeton became more popular in Panama and Puerto Rico it started to take its own sound and a comonly used base line called "Dembow" took place. After dembow started Reggaeton producers and artist started intergrating different hispanic genres into reggaeton such as Salsa Merrengue bachata ect....Reggae and Reggaeton now sound in no way alike. Reggaeton like in every genre has its mixture of singers and rappers, and the topics that they sing and rap about are like every other genre.
It is now being targeted by every one as vulgar and "trash" because like Rap, Rock, when it first started, is the hot new genre that the younge people listen to and related to.
The only difference between Reggaeton, Hip-Hop, Rock, Salsa and every other genre is the type of rythem and beat it has, Because they all have singers and rappers and some genres even have people who just scream out words that rhyme. Every genre has songs degrating women, every genre has songs about money, sex, drugs, life ect.....
It is now being targeted by every one as vulgar and "trash" because like Rap, Rock, when it first started, is the hot new genre that the younge people listen to and related to.
The only difference between Reggaeton, Hip-Hop, Rock, Salsa and every other genre is the type of rythem and beat it has, Because they all have singers and rappers and some genres even have people who just scream out words that rhyme. Every genre has songs degrating women, every genre has songs about money, sex, drugs, life ect.....
Sex related songs:
Reggaeton: "Noche De Sexo" (Night of Sex) by Wisin y Yandel ft. Aventura
Hip-Hop: "Lollipop" by 50 Cent & Lil Kim
Rock: "Lets put the x in sex" by Kiss
ect......
Derogatory to Women:
Reggaeton: "Guata Gata" by Guatauba ft Plan B
Hip-Hop: "Shake That Ass" by Mystical
Rock: "Brown Sugar" by The Rolling Stones
ect...
Reggaeton: "Noche De Sexo" (Night of Sex) by Wisin y Yandel ft. Aventura
Hip-Hop: "Lollipop" by 50 Cent & Lil Kim
Rock: "Lets put the x in sex" by Kiss
ect......
Derogatory to Women:
Reggaeton: "Guata Gata" by Guatauba ft Plan B
Hip-Hop: "Shake That Ass" by Mystical
Rock: "Brown Sugar" by The Rolling Stones
ect...
by Someguy856 December 22, 2008
Reggaeton is an offspring of Reggae, Rap, Panamanian Spanish Reggae and House. The music is a form of Puerto Rican music, and it is constantly confused with it originating from Panama. This is not true because the Panamanians introduced to the world Spanish Reggae, which is a totally different sound. Reggaeton went through many years of underground percolation that fortified the genre to its present-day being. Its long underground history started in the late '80s from the sounds of Rap and Reggae storming the Puerto Rican airwaves. A few years later, the Panamanian sound and lyrical genius of El General officially introduced to the World a new sound, Spanish Reggae.
Puerto Ricans immediately accepted the sounds of Panama, but knew it was lacking, because of the lack of other Panamanians joining, proliferating the movement. Also, variety seemed null. Throughout the years (mid '80s-present), different Underground music movements continued to grow into powerful levels in Puerto Rico. Thanks to public radio stations on the island for a huge variety of radio stations, they all fed of each other directly and indirectly:
*Puerto Rican Rap Underground
*Puerto Rican Reggae Underground
*Puerto Rican Goth Underground
*Puerto Rican House Underground
*Puerto Rican Drum & Base Underground
*Puerto Rican Happy Hardcore Underground
*Puerto Rican Techno/Raver Underground
*Puerto Rican Salsa Mainstream
*Puerto Rican Rumba Mainstream
*Puerto Rican Bomba y Plena Mainstream
*Puerto Rican Freestyle Mainstream and Underground
The different music scenes in Puerto Rico evolved, and Reggaeton was the offspring of all of them. Today, one who listens to Reggaeton will understand if one studies the music well, it is a combination of ALL of the above listed. It will be foolish to say that Reggaeton of today is not evolving, as it is mixing musical forms of the Orient, Middle East, Indian, Dominican Republic and American Rock (samples). Reggaeton is a beautiful music from Puerto Rico because it is Puerto Rico, Past, Present, and Future. Also, Reggaeton is the World, which is evident in its beats. Reggaeton should continue to have a wide variety of stars who will fuel the movement within other movements. This is how Reggaeton will continue to evolve both in Puerto Rico, and the throughout the world in the future. To say that Reggaeton is Panamanian is wrong, as it fed off Panamanian Reggae, but it also fed off many other types of music genres throughout its birth and growth. Reggaeton is an offspring of music. Reggaeton for sure will define ALL music in the future, and it will be really interesting to see what the Youth of Puerto Rico will provide to the world. All eyes are on you Puerto Rico...
Puerto Ricans immediately accepted the sounds of Panama, but knew it was lacking, because of the lack of other Panamanians joining, proliferating the movement. Also, variety seemed null. Throughout the years (mid '80s-present), different Underground music movements continued to grow into powerful levels in Puerto Rico. Thanks to public radio stations on the island for a huge variety of radio stations, they all fed of each other directly and indirectly:
*Puerto Rican Rap Underground
*Puerto Rican Reggae Underground
*Puerto Rican Goth Underground
*Puerto Rican House Underground
*Puerto Rican Drum & Base Underground
*Puerto Rican Happy Hardcore Underground
*Puerto Rican Techno/Raver Underground
*Puerto Rican Salsa Mainstream
*Puerto Rican Rumba Mainstream
*Puerto Rican Bomba y Plena Mainstream
*Puerto Rican Freestyle Mainstream and Underground
The different music scenes in Puerto Rico evolved, and Reggaeton was the offspring of all of them. Today, one who listens to Reggaeton will understand if one studies the music well, it is a combination of ALL of the above listed. It will be foolish to say that Reggaeton of today is not evolving, as it is mixing musical forms of the Orient, Middle East, Indian, Dominican Republic and American Rock (samples). Reggaeton is a beautiful music from Puerto Rico because it is Puerto Rico, Past, Present, and Future. Also, Reggaeton is the World, which is evident in its beats. Reggaeton should continue to have a wide variety of stars who will fuel the movement within other movements. This is how Reggaeton will continue to evolve both in Puerto Rico, and the throughout the world in the future. To say that Reggaeton is Panamanian is wrong, as it fed off Panamanian Reggae, but it also fed off many other types of music genres throughout its birth and growth. Reggaeton is an offspring of music. Reggaeton for sure will define ALL music in the future, and it will be really interesting to see what the Youth of Puerto Rico will provide to the world. All eyes are on you Puerto Rico...
1. Wow! What is the amazing beat, says the White lady moving her hips irresistibly?
2. The Asian lady tells her "It's Reggaeton, a type of music from Puerto Rico..."
3. Oh, my god! This stuff is great says the Jamaican who just smoked two blunts...Star, you be wildin'...
4.Diablo loko, esto esta candela, says the Dominican guy to his boy.
5. Makore Motek, Sababa! This is great, says the Israeli girl to her boy friend in Tel Aviv, Israel.
2. The Asian lady tells her "It's Reggaeton, a type of music from Puerto Rico..."
3. Oh, my god! This stuff is great says the Jamaican who just smoked two blunts...Star, you be wildin'...
4.Diablo loko, esto esta candela, says the Dominican guy to his boy.
5. Makore Motek, Sababa! This is great, says the Israeli girl to her boy friend in Tel Aviv, Israel.
by malvin December 5, 2007
The reggaeton is a RITTIM (not music as some cockfags call it) that was originally born in PANAMA, it's derivated from an african music called "raggamuffin".
when the panama channel was under construction, many puerto ricans who worked there heared the raggamuffin, when they got back to puerto rico they teached the raggamuffin to everyone, in the year 1982 the reggaeton was invented IN PANAMA, but it was never too succesfull, however some years later the puertoricans who were back from panama and had listened to reggaeton, stole it from there and mix it with raggamuffin, causing the reggaeton to "evolutionate" into what it is today: a poor "music" that have the same rittims in all the song (PUM PURUM PUM PUM).
and if you read some stupid people deffinitions, they will try to defend of this fact saying "all the latin music have the same rittim" THAT IS NOT TRUE!
just something that an idiot invented to defend his pseudo-music.
95% of the reggaeton lyrics speak about wild sex (it even endure and condone sex among people who havent even reached the 15 years), getting drunk, going to "partys" and all that shit, the other 5% is still stupid, but at least not only about sex, however it speak of inmature love relationships, or things like that, making it really stupid.
the reggaeton have an even dumper dance called "perreo", derivated from the wild dog sex, you can see a dog fucking another dog, next day you see the same dog fucking OTHER dog, so the word perreo is like a style to fuck the bitches one day without getting really commited with them.
perreo is just "having sex with clothes", it's not even deserved to be called a dance, and the worse part of this its that its just danced by fat and ugly bitches who know they will never get a dick inside they're pussys, and by rapers or guys who cant get close to the pretty girls.
reggaeton is the prove that humanity is decaying, since "Daddy yankee" is the god-father of a kid called "miguelito"
now "miguelito" is called "the heir of daddy yankee"
he's a 8 YEARS OLD KID, and in his first video (recorded when he was 7) called "MONTALA" (montala means "ride it" in spanish)
the song lyrics was just about this
"YA LLEGO MIGUELITO VEN Y MONTALA!" (miguelito's here, come and ride it!) singed by the 7 years old kid, in the video the kid is touching the ass of many horrible bitches dancing (most of them ditn even looked 18), so reggaeton is a corrupting music.
the "reggaetoneros" are just idiotic people, who dress like gangsters but are nothing but a bunch of possers, they say that the rockers and basically anyone who doesnt listen reggaeton or dislike it, it's because they are "jealous" that what tooked 60 years to the rock, reggaeton made it in five, and this is shit, because the rock becamed a world-wide phenomenum after 3 years of being created, reggaeton has 20 years old and it's not even world-wide yet!
the singers think that the only thing that matter's is the money and the way they dress, they dont sing to share a message, they do it to get money.
the reggaeton has repetitive lyrics, rittim, horrible singer voices and does not even uses instruments.
but fear not, because the reggaeton it's just another stupid fashion that will end from one day to the other, like the hippies or the 80's music.
when the panama channel was under construction, many puerto ricans who worked there heared the raggamuffin, when they got back to puerto rico they teached the raggamuffin to everyone, in the year 1982 the reggaeton was invented IN PANAMA, but it was never too succesfull, however some years later the puertoricans who were back from panama and had listened to reggaeton, stole it from there and mix it with raggamuffin, causing the reggaeton to "evolutionate" into what it is today: a poor "music" that have the same rittims in all the song (PUM PURUM PUM PUM).
and if you read some stupid people deffinitions, they will try to defend of this fact saying "all the latin music have the same rittim" THAT IS NOT TRUE!
just something that an idiot invented to defend his pseudo-music.
95% of the reggaeton lyrics speak about wild sex (it even endure and condone sex among people who havent even reached the 15 years), getting drunk, going to "partys" and all that shit, the other 5% is still stupid, but at least not only about sex, however it speak of inmature love relationships, or things like that, making it really stupid.
the reggaeton have an even dumper dance called "perreo", derivated from the wild dog sex, you can see a dog fucking another dog, next day you see the same dog fucking OTHER dog, so the word perreo is like a style to fuck the bitches one day without getting really commited with them.
perreo is just "having sex with clothes", it's not even deserved to be called a dance, and the worse part of this its that its just danced by fat and ugly bitches who know they will never get a dick inside they're pussys, and by rapers or guys who cant get close to the pretty girls.
reggaeton is the prove that humanity is decaying, since "Daddy yankee" is the god-father of a kid called "miguelito"
now "miguelito" is called "the heir of daddy yankee"
he's a 8 YEARS OLD KID, and in his first video (recorded when he was 7) called "MONTALA" (montala means "ride it" in spanish)
the song lyrics was just about this
"YA LLEGO MIGUELITO VEN Y MONTALA!" (miguelito's here, come and ride it!) singed by the 7 years old kid, in the video the kid is touching the ass of many horrible bitches dancing (most of them ditn even looked 18), so reggaeton is a corrupting music.
the "reggaetoneros" are just idiotic people, who dress like gangsters but are nothing but a bunch of possers, they say that the rockers and basically anyone who doesnt listen reggaeton or dislike it, it's because they are "jealous" that what tooked 60 years to the rock, reggaeton made it in five, and this is shit, because the rock becamed a world-wide phenomenum after 3 years of being created, reggaeton has 20 years old and it's not even world-wide yet!
the singers think that the only thing that matter's is the money and the way they dress, they dont sing to share a message, they do it to get money.
the reggaeton has repetitive lyrics, rittim, horrible singer voices and does not even uses instruments.
but fear not, because the reggaeton it's just another stupid fashion that will end from one day to the other, like the hippies or the 80's music.
"Einstein goes to a party, and he find's a guy, he starts a conversation with him
Einstein: greetings! can I know your IQ?
the guy answer him "400", so einstein began to talk about hidrology, sistem engineering and calculous.
Einstein find another guy
Einstein: greetings! can I know your IQ?
the guy answer's him "100"
they began to talk about biology, astrology and cartography.
he finds another guy and make him the same question, the guy answers "80" so they began to talk about politicians, world hunger and countrys.
he fins ANOTHER guy and make him the same question, as usual the guy answers "70" so they began to talk about sewers and cleanning.
and finally he find's a guy and ask him
Einstein:"Greetings! can I know your IQ?"
guy: MY I-what?
Einstein: Have you listened daddy yankee's latest album?
that was a reggaeton fan ¬¬
Einstein: greetings! can I know your IQ?
the guy answer him "400", so einstein began to talk about hidrology, sistem engineering and calculous.
Einstein find another guy
Einstein: greetings! can I know your IQ?
the guy answer's him "100"
they began to talk about biology, astrology and cartography.
he finds another guy and make him the same question, the guy answers "80" so they began to talk about politicians, world hunger and countrys.
he fins ANOTHER guy and make him the same question, as usual the guy answers "70" so they began to talk about sewers and cleanning.
and finally he find's a guy and ask him
Einstein:"Greetings! can I know your IQ?"
guy: MY I-what?
Einstein: Have you listened daddy yankee's latest album?
that was a reggaeton fan ¬¬
by manmansuperman August 31, 2008
Commonly considered noise, Reggaeton's reputation is off to a bad start here in the States. Close-minded english-speaking people with maybe two years' worth of high school spanish under their belt are quick to reject this new genre. Reggaeton evolved from both Reggae and Jamaican Dancehall music. So, it's a dancing genre, like the waltz or salsa or tango. Because it's a dancing genre, the beat is the same tap-tap-bass in almost every song.
Most people discard the genre based on that fact alone. And that's just silly, seeing as the ever-popular bubble-gum pop has the same boom-boom-tap beat. Which, when you think about it, sounds pretty similar to the Reggaeton beat. And for you ravers out there who also balk at this genre: Drum-N-Bass? Trance? Happy Hardcore? Boom-hiss Boom-hiss. HULLO! Trance is just as repetitive in it's beats as Reggaeton. I listen to techno, and that beat in every song I realized actually helps me appreciate the music AND slip into the trance the music was designed to make me. Reggaeton's beat does the EXACT. SAME. THING.
Next: Lyrics. Yes, some of them are sexist and crude. But let's face it, this is America, we can't even listen to Christina Aguilera's "Dirrty" without getting our panties in a twist. Also, Ludacris, anyone? Yeah, his stuff's pretty nasty, too. But you guys still listen to him! Oh yeah, Ying Yang Twins, Lil' John, all those idiots rap about fucking drunk girls brains out, regardless, "Get Low" is still played at every high school dance without fail. It's really easy to say that rap is sexist and crass and inappropriate. But it isn't completely. Usher, LL Cool-J, Ne-yo, P.Diddy all sing or rap about love or just clubbing and having a good time. Reggaeton's exactly the same. Just because Reggaeton's banner boy Daddy Yankee has a dirty mouth, don't dismiss the genre. Some of these guys (and girls like Ivy Queen) have good voices and nice lyrics.
So before you condemn Reggaeton, look up these artists:
Zion
Rakim y Ken-y
Don Omar
Hector El Father
Baby Rasta.
Most people discard the genre based on that fact alone. And that's just silly, seeing as the ever-popular bubble-gum pop has the same boom-boom-tap beat. Which, when you think about it, sounds pretty similar to the Reggaeton beat. And for you ravers out there who also balk at this genre: Drum-N-Bass? Trance? Happy Hardcore? Boom-hiss Boom-hiss. HULLO! Trance is just as repetitive in it's beats as Reggaeton. I listen to techno, and that beat in every song I realized actually helps me appreciate the music AND slip into the trance the music was designed to make me. Reggaeton's beat does the EXACT. SAME. THING.
Next: Lyrics. Yes, some of them are sexist and crude. But let's face it, this is America, we can't even listen to Christina Aguilera's "Dirrty" without getting our panties in a twist. Also, Ludacris, anyone? Yeah, his stuff's pretty nasty, too. But you guys still listen to him! Oh yeah, Ying Yang Twins, Lil' John, all those idiots rap about fucking drunk girls brains out, regardless, "Get Low" is still played at every high school dance without fail. It's really easy to say that rap is sexist and crass and inappropriate. But it isn't completely. Usher, LL Cool-J, Ne-yo, P.Diddy all sing or rap about love or just clubbing and having a good time. Reggaeton's exactly the same. Just because Reggaeton's banner boy Daddy Yankee has a dirty mouth, don't dismiss the genre. Some of these guys (and girls like Ivy Queen) have good voices and nice lyrics.
So before you condemn Reggaeton, look up these artists:
Zion
Rakim y Ken-y
Don Omar
Hector El Father
Baby Rasta.
So before you condemn Reggaeton, look up these artists:
Zion
Rakim y Ken-y
Don Omar
Hector El Father
Baby Rasta.
Zion
Rakim y Ken-y
Don Omar
Hector El Father
Baby Rasta.
by Gracious April 26, 2007
Reggaeton is a Puerto Rican mixture of dancehall and hip-hop. I really don't like it but girls like it since you can dance to it. They often play a little reggaeton on the radio Friday nights on the premier rap/r&b station around where I live. I can't understand what they say but it is most likely about girls and dancing.
Reggaeton is an overrated genre made that has recently gone more commercial. It has gotten to the point that NORE makes reggaeton songs and Lil' Jon has a reggaeton remix of "Gon' Do Shit" with Daddy Yankee.
by hasafienda January 7, 2005
???
alright you people, is this where you go and talk shit about reggaeton??? you fuckers make me sick, you ignorant fucks..."reggaeton has the same beat...blah, blah blah...its too sexual...blah, blah blah...shut the fuck up!!! you just dont fuckin know anything. those that are typing shit about reggaeton just need to stop SHUT THE FUCK UP AND READ ok. ... im getting tired of it, seriously.
so lets get this straight....
Reggaeton (also spelled with the Spanish accent as Reggaetón, and sometimes as Reguetón in Spanish) is a form of dance music which became popular with Latin American (Latino) youth during the early 1990s and spread to North American, European, Asian, and Australian audiences during the first few years of the 21st century. Reggaeton blends Jamaican music influences of reggae and dancehall with those of Latin America, such as bomba and plena, as well as that of hip hop. The music is also combined with rapping (generally) in Spanish. Reggaeton has given the Hispanic youth, starting with those of Puerto Rico and Panama, a musical genre that they can consider their own. The influence of this genre has spread to the wider Latino communities in the United States, as well as the Latin American and Central American audience. While not as influential, reggaeton as a genre has also spread worldwide to places such as Europe, Asia, and Australia.
While it takes influences from hip hop and Jamaican dancehall, it would be wrong to define reggaeton as the 'Hispanic'- or 'Latino'- version of either of these genres; reggaeton has its own specific beat and rhythm, whereas Latino hip hop is simply hip hop recorded by artists of Latino descent. The specific rhythm that characterizes Reggaeton is referred to as "Dem Bow". The name is a reference to the title of the Jamaican dancehall song that first popularized the beat in the early 1990's.
Reggaeton's origins represents a hybrid of many different musical genres and influences from various countries in the Caribbean, Latin America and the United States. The genre of Reggaeton however is most closely associated with Puerto Rico, as this is where the musical style later popularized and became most famous, and where the vast majority of its stars originate from.
Reggaeton lyrics tend to be more derived from hip hop than dancehall. Like hip hop, reggaeton has caused some controversy, albeit much less, due to a few of the songs' explicit lyrics and alleged exploitation of women; supporters claim this criticism is misplaced due to most reggaeton songs having completely clean lyrics, and having less of a focus on violent lyrics unlike hip-hop . Further controversy surrounds perreo, a dance with explicit sexual overtones which is associated reggaeton music.
Early history and Origins
Reggaeton's roots are from Panama with the music evolving and coming to prominence in Puerto Rico. Reggaeton starts as an adaptation of Jamaican reggae (and later Jamaican dancehall) to the Spanish-language culture in Panama.
The origins of reggaeton begin with the first Latin-American reggae recordings being made in Panama during the 1970s. Reportedly, the Jamaican reggae influence on Panamanian music has been strong since the early 20th century, when Jamaican laborers were used to help build the Panama Canal.
Artists such as El General, Chicho Man, Nando Boom, Renato, Black Apache are considered the first raggamuffin DJs from Panama. El General has been identified as one of the fathers of reggaeton, blending Jamaican reggae into a Latin-ised version. It was common practice to translate the lyrics of Jamaican reggae song into Spanish and sing them over the original melodies, a form termed Spanish reggae or Reggae en Español. Meanwhile, during the 1980s the Puerto Rican rapper Vico C released Spanish-language hip hop records in his native island. His production of cassettes throughout the 1980s, mixing reggae and hip hop, also helped spread the early reggae sound, and he is widely credited with this achievement. The widespread movement of Spanish reggae in the Latin-American communities of the Caribbean and the urban centres of the United States help increase its popularity.
During the 1990s reggae production took off seriously in Panama; this also occurred separately in Puerto Rico due to the increased popularity of Jamaican ragga imports. Towards the middle of the decade, Puerto Ricans were producing their own "riddims" with clear influences from hip hop and other styles. These are considered the first proper reggaeton tracks, initially called "under", a short form of "Underground". DJ Playero was one of the most famous producers at the time, releasing several "underground" cassettes that featured early performances of some soon-to-be-famous artists like Daddy Yankee. The basis for reggaeton was laid in Puerto Rico at this time, with the melding of Panamanian Spanish reggae, with influences from dancehall, hip-hop and various other Latin American musical genres.
The genre morphed through the years, at various points being termed Melaza, musica underground, reggae de Puerto Rico, and Dem Bow. This last name originated from reggaeton's distinguishing rhythmic feature: the Dem Bow (alternately spelled Dembow) beat. This beat was constructed by Jamaican record producer Bobby "Digital" Dixon, and first became popular in the song "Dem Bow" (They Bow) performed by Jamaican dancehall artist Shabba Ranks in 1991. The song and beat achieved greater popularity among Spanish-speaking Latin Americans when Panamanian artist El General released the song "Son Bow" in 1991, a Spanish language cover of "Dem Bow" using the same musical track. It should be pointed out that neither Shabba or El General sang "Reggaeton" as neither the genre nor its title were as yet formed. Additionally "Dem Bow" was just a single song in Shabba's catalog, with Ranks not singing another significant song using the "Dem Bow" beat. However the influence of the original Bobby Digital beat is undeniable, and modern Reggaeton often still reflects the original instrumentation, as well as the original rhythmic structure.
Rise to popularity
The name reggaeton only gained prominence in the mid-1990s (from the 1994 to 1995 period), with the Dem Bow beat characterizing the genre; this is in contrast to the more reggae, dancehall and hip hop-derived tracks previously created. The name was created in Puerto Rico to signify the hybrid sound, and distinguish it from the previous Spanish reggae, created from the years of mixing the different genres. Today, the music flourishes throughout Latin America.
Reggaeton soon increased in popularity with Latino youth in the United States when DJ Blass worked with artists such as Plan B and Speedy in albums such as Reggaeton Sex. The first song which introduced Reggaeton to a big amount of fans is the song "Tra Tra" by Don Chezina. From there on reggaeton gained fans with songs such as "Amor Con La Ropa" by Speedy, "No Puedo Estar Sin Sexo" by Plan B, and "Dembow" by Wisin and Yandel.
Reggaeton expanded and became known when other producers followed the steps of DJ Playero, like DJ Nelson and DJ Eric. In the mid 90s albums like Playero 37 (In which Daddy Yankee became known) and The Noise 5 and The Noise 6 were very popular in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. Singers like Don Chezina, O.G. Black & Master Joe, Baby Rasta & Gringo, Lito & Polaco among others were very popular.
Many now popular producers, such as the Dominicans Luny Tunes, Noriega and Eliel, first appeared in the reggaeton scene in 2003. Albums such as Mas Flow, The Last Don, and Las Gargolas 4 expanded reggaeton's popularity among Latinos in the United States.
2004 was the year that reggaeton gained widespread popularity in the United States, eventually gaining attention in many "Western" countries. This was due to N.O.R.E. introducing the genre to mainstream America with the song "Oye Mi Canto", followed by Daddy Yankee who came out with his album Barrio Fino and his mega hit single "Gasolina". Another important artist that contribuited to gain popularity to reggaeton, especially in Europe, is Don Omar, with singles like "Pobre Diabla" and "Dale Don Dale". Other very popular Reggaeton groups include Zion & Lennox and Wisin & Yandel.
Don Omar's May 2006 album, King of Kings, became history's highest ranking reggaeton LP in the top 10 US charts, with its debut at #1 on the Latin sales charts and the #1 spot on the Billboard Latin Rhythm Radio Chart with the single "Angelito". Don Omar was also able to beat the in-store appearance sales record at Downtown Disney's Virgin music store previously set by pop star Britney Spears, further demonstrating Reggaeton's massive rise to popularity in the United States.
Features of reggaeton
Reggaeton beats
Reggaeton's most notably unique feature is a driving drum-machine track, which sounds almost identical in virtually all reggaeton songs, and was derived from a popular Jamaican dancehall rhythm. As stated previously this beat is called "Dem Bow", from the Bobby Dixon-produced Shabba Ranks song of the same title.
Many of the sounds found in a typical reggaeton beat are electronically synthesized. Simple melodies may be produced with keyboards, electric guitars, and other electronic instruments. Other forms of electronic dance music have significantly influenced reggaeton beats, such as techno, house, and genres such as the merengue hip hop (also called merenhouse) of groups such as Proyecto Uno and Zona 7.
Reggaeton beats are highly versatile. The great variety and flexibility of reggaeton beats can be illustrated by Luny Tunes' CD The Kings of the Beats, which is a collection of purely instrumental beats. Reggaeton beats can be based on merengue, bachata, bolero, and especially hip-hop beats. The introduction of bachata into reggaetón beats in particular has been credited as a development that has expanded the genre's musical vocabulary beyond its original two- or three-chord song structure.
Reggaeton and hip-hop
Reggaeton bears many resemblances to hip-hop. The most notable resemblance to hip-hop is that reggaeton, in most cases, is recited instead of being sung. Another feature is that reggaeton CD's are laid out like hip-hop CD's, including intro's, occasional interludes, and hidden bonus tracks. Reggaeton also has hooks throughout a song that may include a chorus of singers. Reggaeton artists also adopt pseudonyms comparable to those of hip-hop artists. Overall, reggaeton and hip-hop are both thought of as street-styled music popular among urban youths.
Despite the similarities, reggaeton only roughly fits into the Latin hip-hop category but is not synonymous with hip-hop. True Latin hip-hop has beats that almost exactly resemble mainstream hip-hop beats. These "hardcore" Latin hip-hop artists include Big Pun, Fat Joe, Akwid, and Jae-P. Reggaeton, though, has rap-styled lyrics but has a very different beat that is influenced not by hip-hop, but by reggae, dancehall, merengue, and techno. Although reggaeton has been highly influenced by American hip-hop, it has also borrowed features from many other genres as well and is not strictly considered to be Latin hip-hop.
Reggaeton and hip-hop are often remixed together, and reggaeton songs and live concerts may feature hip-hop artists such as Lil Jon, 50 Cent, and Eminem. Hip-hop songs such as Usher's Yeah and Snoop Dogg's Drop It Like It's Hot have been remixed by replacing the original beat with a reggaeton beat. In other remixes, reggaeton DJ's may rap out an English song in Spanish. Reggaeton and hip-hop are accepting influences from each other today, and these musical blends also signify a cultural melting pot in today's urban scene.
Lyrics and themes
Reggaeton lyrical structure highly resembles hip-hop lyrics. Like hip-hop, reggaeton artists recite their lyrics rap-fashion rather than sing it melodically. Like hip-hop music, reggaeton songs have hooks that are repeated throughout the song. Unlike hip-hop, many reggaeton songs are not completely dominated by male rappers and also have choruses of female dancers who repeat small portions of the song; for example, the girls say "dame más gasolina" in Daddy Yankee's song Gasolina. Female dancers most commonly say their parts during the hooks, but often also in the lyrics. Reggaeton also started as a genre composed of only male artists, with a slowly increasing number of female artists debuting over the years. Notable female reggaeton artists include Ivy Queen and Glory.
Reggaeton lyrical themes are versatile. Typical themes may include dancing, love stories, partying, short anecdotes of the rapper's life, and problems in life. Popular reggaeton songs are mainly intended to be danceable, rhythmic, party-like songs for young people. Reggaeton may or may not be objectionable depending on the artists, song, and the listener's interpretation, as one reggaeton song may have many interpretations because a song's meaning may not be very clear and direct. For example, the song Gasolina is often considered appropriate for children and has made it into the Reggaeton Niños series. However, because of the various possible connotations and literal interpretations of the song, some people criticize Gasolina as having possibly inappropriate sexual content.
Usually, reggaeton CD's are not labeled "explicit" like many hip-hop CD's are. One exception is that Daddy Yankee's Barrio Fino en Directo (Barrio Fino Live) was labeled explicit for objectionable content in the live concerts (and for explicit language by Snoop Dogg in Gangsta Zone), even though the regular studio version of Barrio Fino was not labeled explicit. Most reggaeton songs have completely clean lyrics (as in no profanity); very few songs have cursing/swearing in the lyrics.
Reggaeton across the world
Puerto Rico
Reggaeton is most commonly thought of as originating from Puerto Rico, where it has flourished and spread across Latin America and the international stage. The Puerto Rican influence in reggaeton has involved the addition of hip-hop to the Panamanian reggae style. Puerto Ricans have claimed reggaeton as their own partly due to the fact that the movement was originally anti-establishment, with the government attempting to ban the perreo ("doggystyle") dance. Reggaeton is now more accepted within the country.
Reggaeton derives from the post-Salsa music youth generation of the 80s and early 90s in Puerto Rico. Before reggaeton exploded in the mid-nineties, young street artists, heavyly influenced by East Coast hip hop and turntablism, rapped over cassette tracks easily acquired within their Commonwealth (United States insular area) status.
This new genre was simply called "underground". It contained very explicit lyrics about drugs, violence, poverty, homophobia, friendship, love, and sex. These common themes still predominate today in reggaeton music. "Underground" music was recorded in "marquesinas" (or Puerto Rican porches) and distributed in the streets via cassettes. By the early 90s "underground" cassettes were being sold in commercial music stores. The genre caught up with the middle class youth and inevitably found its way to the media.
By this time Puerto Rico had a few clubs dedicated to the "underground" scene. Club Rappers in Carolina, and club PlayMakers in Puerto Nuevo were the most notable. Bobby "Digital" Dixon's dembow track was exploited in order to appeal in the context of the club. "Underground" music wasn't intended originally to be club music.
A Puerto Rican government agency called Morality in Media intervened and banned selling "underground" music and required that all local productions being sold displayed a Parental Advisory label. By 1993 Dj Negro released The Noise 3 with a mock up label that read Non-Explicit Lyrics. The album contained no cursing until the last song. The album was a hit and "underground" music further crept into the mainstream. Senator Velda González of the Popular Democratic Party and the media continued to view the movement as a social nuisance.
Latin America
Reggaeton has been a huge hit all across the globe, especially in Latin American countries, like most parts of the Carribean, Colombia, Central America including Mexico where it has become staple music in most parties and events, complementing the common mix of merengue, salsa and electronic music and has paved a huge fan base. In some countries (such as Venezuela, with Calle Ciega, Doble Impakto and Mr. Brian and Pescozada and Heavy Clan from El Salvador), domestic "reggaetoneros" have arisen, expanding the Pan-Latin feel of the genre.
United States
In the United States, reggaeton is highly popular among Hispanic youth. Reggaeton is now popular in cities all over the United States, including Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Chicago, New York City, Boston, Houston, Miami, Phoenix and almost every city with a significant Hispanic American population. Many popular Latino rappers and singers have also collaborated with reggaeton artists.
Europe
Reggaetón has become popular in Spain, particularly because of its appeal to Latin American immigrants, particularly those from Ecuador. A Spanish concept called "La Canción del Verano" (The Summer Song), under which a particular song or two define the mood for the season and are regarded unofficially as such by Spanish media, served as the basis for the extreme popularity of reggaetón songs such as the late Panamanian rapper Lorna's "Papi Chulo (Te traigo el Mmm)" in 2003, and Daddy Yankee's Gasolina in 2005. Puerto Rican and Panamanian reggaetón artists have toured the country, and Spain is developing a cadre of local reggaetón artists of its own.
Reggaetón is also experiencing a boom in Italy, thanks to artists like Don Omar (who filmed the video for his song Angelito in Rome, featuring many of the city's historic landmarks). Italian and Latin American music and culture often tend to intertwine with each other. Many popular Italian artists record in Spanish as well as Italian and vice versa, such as Laura Pausini and Tiziano Ferro. Italy's latin roots and similar culture regardless of language barriers can help explain an increase in the popularity of Reggaetón in Italy. And as time passes it is most likely that Italian artists will begin dabbling in the music genre themselves.
alright you people, is this where you go and talk shit about reggaeton??? you fuckers make me sick, you ignorant fucks..."reggaeton has the same beat...blah, blah blah...its too sexual...blah, blah blah...shut the fuck up!!! you just dont fuckin know anything. those that are typing shit about reggaeton just need to stop SHUT THE FUCK UP AND READ ok. ... im getting tired of it, seriously.
so lets get this straight....
Reggaeton (also spelled with the Spanish accent as Reggaetón, and sometimes as Reguetón in Spanish) is a form of dance music which became popular with Latin American (Latino) youth during the early 1990s and spread to North American, European, Asian, and Australian audiences during the first few years of the 21st century. Reggaeton blends Jamaican music influences of reggae and dancehall with those of Latin America, such as bomba and plena, as well as that of hip hop. The music is also combined with rapping (generally) in Spanish. Reggaeton has given the Hispanic youth, starting with those of Puerto Rico and Panama, a musical genre that they can consider their own. The influence of this genre has spread to the wider Latino communities in the United States, as well as the Latin American and Central American audience. While not as influential, reggaeton as a genre has also spread worldwide to places such as Europe, Asia, and Australia.
While it takes influences from hip hop and Jamaican dancehall, it would be wrong to define reggaeton as the 'Hispanic'- or 'Latino'- version of either of these genres; reggaeton has its own specific beat and rhythm, whereas Latino hip hop is simply hip hop recorded by artists of Latino descent. The specific rhythm that characterizes Reggaeton is referred to as "Dem Bow". The name is a reference to the title of the Jamaican dancehall song that first popularized the beat in the early 1990's.
Reggaeton's origins represents a hybrid of many different musical genres and influences from various countries in the Caribbean, Latin America and the United States. The genre of Reggaeton however is most closely associated with Puerto Rico, as this is where the musical style later popularized and became most famous, and where the vast majority of its stars originate from.
Reggaeton lyrics tend to be more derived from hip hop than dancehall. Like hip hop, reggaeton has caused some controversy, albeit much less, due to a few of the songs' explicit lyrics and alleged exploitation of women; supporters claim this criticism is misplaced due to most reggaeton songs having completely clean lyrics, and having less of a focus on violent lyrics unlike hip-hop . Further controversy surrounds perreo, a dance with explicit sexual overtones which is associated reggaeton music.
Early history and Origins
Reggaeton's roots are from Panama with the music evolving and coming to prominence in Puerto Rico. Reggaeton starts as an adaptation of Jamaican reggae (and later Jamaican dancehall) to the Spanish-language culture in Panama.
The origins of reggaeton begin with the first Latin-American reggae recordings being made in Panama during the 1970s. Reportedly, the Jamaican reggae influence on Panamanian music has been strong since the early 20th century, when Jamaican laborers were used to help build the Panama Canal.
Artists such as El General, Chicho Man, Nando Boom, Renato, Black Apache are considered the first raggamuffin DJs from Panama. El General has been identified as one of the fathers of reggaeton, blending Jamaican reggae into a Latin-ised version. It was common practice to translate the lyrics of Jamaican reggae song into Spanish and sing them over the original melodies, a form termed Spanish reggae or Reggae en Español. Meanwhile, during the 1980s the Puerto Rican rapper Vico C released Spanish-language hip hop records in his native island. His production of cassettes throughout the 1980s, mixing reggae and hip hop, also helped spread the early reggae sound, and he is widely credited with this achievement. The widespread movement of Spanish reggae in the Latin-American communities of the Caribbean and the urban centres of the United States help increase its popularity.
During the 1990s reggae production took off seriously in Panama; this also occurred separately in Puerto Rico due to the increased popularity of Jamaican ragga imports. Towards the middle of the decade, Puerto Ricans were producing their own "riddims" with clear influences from hip hop and other styles. These are considered the first proper reggaeton tracks, initially called "under", a short form of "Underground". DJ Playero was one of the most famous producers at the time, releasing several "underground" cassettes that featured early performances of some soon-to-be-famous artists like Daddy Yankee. The basis for reggaeton was laid in Puerto Rico at this time, with the melding of Panamanian Spanish reggae, with influences from dancehall, hip-hop and various other Latin American musical genres.
The genre morphed through the years, at various points being termed Melaza, musica underground, reggae de Puerto Rico, and Dem Bow. This last name originated from reggaeton's distinguishing rhythmic feature: the Dem Bow (alternately spelled Dembow) beat. This beat was constructed by Jamaican record producer Bobby "Digital" Dixon, and first became popular in the song "Dem Bow" (They Bow) performed by Jamaican dancehall artist Shabba Ranks in 1991. The song and beat achieved greater popularity among Spanish-speaking Latin Americans when Panamanian artist El General released the song "Son Bow" in 1991, a Spanish language cover of "Dem Bow" using the same musical track. It should be pointed out that neither Shabba or El General sang "Reggaeton" as neither the genre nor its title were as yet formed. Additionally "Dem Bow" was just a single song in Shabba's catalog, with Ranks not singing another significant song using the "Dem Bow" beat. However the influence of the original Bobby Digital beat is undeniable, and modern Reggaeton often still reflects the original instrumentation, as well as the original rhythmic structure.
Rise to popularity
The name reggaeton only gained prominence in the mid-1990s (from the 1994 to 1995 period), with the Dem Bow beat characterizing the genre; this is in contrast to the more reggae, dancehall and hip hop-derived tracks previously created. The name was created in Puerto Rico to signify the hybrid sound, and distinguish it from the previous Spanish reggae, created from the years of mixing the different genres. Today, the music flourishes throughout Latin America.
Reggaeton soon increased in popularity with Latino youth in the United States when DJ Blass worked with artists such as Plan B and Speedy in albums such as Reggaeton Sex. The first song which introduced Reggaeton to a big amount of fans is the song "Tra Tra" by Don Chezina. From there on reggaeton gained fans with songs such as "Amor Con La Ropa" by Speedy, "No Puedo Estar Sin Sexo" by Plan B, and "Dembow" by Wisin and Yandel.
Reggaeton expanded and became known when other producers followed the steps of DJ Playero, like DJ Nelson and DJ Eric. In the mid 90s albums like Playero 37 (In which Daddy Yankee became known) and The Noise 5 and The Noise 6 were very popular in Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. Singers like Don Chezina, O.G. Black & Master Joe, Baby Rasta & Gringo, Lito & Polaco among others were very popular.
Many now popular producers, such as the Dominicans Luny Tunes, Noriega and Eliel, first appeared in the reggaeton scene in 2003. Albums such as Mas Flow, The Last Don, and Las Gargolas 4 expanded reggaeton's popularity among Latinos in the United States.
2004 was the year that reggaeton gained widespread popularity in the United States, eventually gaining attention in many "Western" countries. This was due to N.O.R.E. introducing the genre to mainstream America with the song "Oye Mi Canto", followed by Daddy Yankee who came out with his album Barrio Fino and his mega hit single "Gasolina". Another important artist that contribuited to gain popularity to reggaeton, especially in Europe, is Don Omar, with singles like "Pobre Diabla" and "Dale Don Dale". Other very popular Reggaeton groups include Zion & Lennox and Wisin & Yandel.
Don Omar's May 2006 album, King of Kings, became history's highest ranking reggaeton LP in the top 10 US charts, with its debut at #1 on the Latin sales charts and the #1 spot on the Billboard Latin Rhythm Radio Chart with the single "Angelito". Don Omar was also able to beat the in-store appearance sales record at Downtown Disney's Virgin music store previously set by pop star Britney Spears, further demonstrating Reggaeton's massive rise to popularity in the United States.
Features of reggaeton
Reggaeton beats
Reggaeton's most notably unique feature is a driving drum-machine track, which sounds almost identical in virtually all reggaeton songs, and was derived from a popular Jamaican dancehall rhythm. As stated previously this beat is called "Dem Bow", from the Bobby Dixon-produced Shabba Ranks song of the same title.
Many of the sounds found in a typical reggaeton beat are electronically synthesized. Simple melodies may be produced with keyboards, electric guitars, and other electronic instruments. Other forms of electronic dance music have significantly influenced reggaeton beats, such as techno, house, and genres such as the merengue hip hop (also called merenhouse) of groups such as Proyecto Uno and Zona 7.
Reggaeton beats are highly versatile. The great variety and flexibility of reggaeton beats can be illustrated by Luny Tunes' CD The Kings of the Beats, which is a collection of purely instrumental beats. Reggaeton beats can be based on merengue, bachata, bolero, and especially hip-hop beats. The introduction of bachata into reggaetón beats in particular has been credited as a development that has expanded the genre's musical vocabulary beyond its original two- or three-chord song structure.
Reggaeton and hip-hop
Reggaeton bears many resemblances to hip-hop. The most notable resemblance to hip-hop is that reggaeton, in most cases, is recited instead of being sung. Another feature is that reggaeton CD's are laid out like hip-hop CD's, including intro's, occasional interludes, and hidden bonus tracks. Reggaeton also has hooks throughout a song that may include a chorus of singers. Reggaeton artists also adopt pseudonyms comparable to those of hip-hop artists. Overall, reggaeton and hip-hop are both thought of as street-styled music popular among urban youths.
Despite the similarities, reggaeton only roughly fits into the Latin hip-hop category but is not synonymous with hip-hop. True Latin hip-hop has beats that almost exactly resemble mainstream hip-hop beats. These "hardcore" Latin hip-hop artists include Big Pun, Fat Joe, Akwid, and Jae-P. Reggaeton, though, has rap-styled lyrics but has a very different beat that is influenced not by hip-hop, but by reggae, dancehall, merengue, and techno. Although reggaeton has been highly influenced by American hip-hop, it has also borrowed features from many other genres as well and is not strictly considered to be Latin hip-hop.
Reggaeton and hip-hop are often remixed together, and reggaeton songs and live concerts may feature hip-hop artists such as Lil Jon, 50 Cent, and Eminem. Hip-hop songs such as Usher's Yeah and Snoop Dogg's Drop It Like It's Hot have been remixed by replacing the original beat with a reggaeton beat. In other remixes, reggaeton DJ's may rap out an English song in Spanish. Reggaeton and hip-hop are accepting influences from each other today, and these musical blends also signify a cultural melting pot in today's urban scene.
Lyrics and themes
Reggaeton lyrical structure highly resembles hip-hop lyrics. Like hip-hop, reggaeton artists recite their lyrics rap-fashion rather than sing it melodically. Like hip-hop music, reggaeton songs have hooks that are repeated throughout the song. Unlike hip-hop, many reggaeton songs are not completely dominated by male rappers and also have choruses of female dancers who repeat small portions of the song; for example, the girls say "dame más gasolina" in Daddy Yankee's song Gasolina. Female dancers most commonly say their parts during the hooks, but often also in the lyrics. Reggaeton also started as a genre composed of only male artists, with a slowly increasing number of female artists debuting over the years. Notable female reggaeton artists include Ivy Queen and Glory.
Reggaeton lyrical themes are versatile. Typical themes may include dancing, love stories, partying, short anecdotes of the rapper's life, and problems in life. Popular reggaeton songs are mainly intended to be danceable, rhythmic, party-like songs for young people. Reggaeton may or may not be objectionable depending on the artists, song, and the listener's interpretation, as one reggaeton song may have many interpretations because a song's meaning may not be very clear and direct. For example, the song Gasolina is often considered appropriate for children and has made it into the Reggaeton Niños series. However, because of the various possible connotations and literal interpretations of the song, some people criticize Gasolina as having possibly inappropriate sexual content.
Usually, reggaeton CD's are not labeled "explicit" like many hip-hop CD's are. One exception is that Daddy Yankee's Barrio Fino en Directo (Barrio Fino Live) was labeled explicit for objectionable content in the live concerts (and for explicit language by Snoop Dogg in Gangsta Zone), even though the regular studio version of Barrio Fino was not labeled explicit. Most reggaeton songs have completely clean lyrics (as in no profanity); very few songs have cursing/swearing in the lyrics.
Reggaeton across the world
Puerto Rico
Reggaeton is most commonly thought of as originating from Puerto Rico, where it has flourished and spread across Latin America and the international stage. The Puerto Rican influence in reggaeton has involved the addition of hip-hop to the Panamanian reggae style. Puerto Ricans have claimed reggaeton as their own partly due to the fact that the movement was originally anti-establishment, with the government attempting to ban the perreo ("doggystyle") dance. Reggaeton is now more accepted within the country.
Reggaeton derives from the post-Salsa music youth generation of the 80s and early 90s in Puerto Rico. Before reggaeton exploded in the mid-nineties, young street artists, heavyly influenced by East Coast hip hop and turntablism, rapped over cassette tracks easily acquired within their Commonwealth (United States insular area) status.
This new genre was simply called "underground". It contained very explicit lyrics about drugs, violence, poverty, homophobia, friendship, love, and sex. These common themes still predominate today in reggaeton music. "Underground" music was recorded in "marquesinas" (or Puerto Rican porches) and distributed in the streets via cassettes. By the early 90s "underground" cassettes were being sold in commercial music stores. The genre caught up with the middle class youth and inevitably found its way to the media.
By this time Puerto Rico had a few clubs dedicated to the "underground" scene. Club Rappers in Carolina, and club PlayMakers in Puerto Nuevo were the most notable. Bobby "Digital" Dixon's dembow track was exploited in order to appeal in the context of the club. "Underground" music wasn't intended originally to be club music.
A Puerto Rican government agency called Morality in Media intervened and banned selling "underground" music and required that all local productions being sold displayed a Parental Advisory label. By 1993 Dj Negro released The Noise 3 with a mock up label that read Non-Explicit Lyrics. The album contained no cursing until the last song. The album was a hit and "underground" music further crept into the mainstream. Senator Velda González of the Popular Democratic Party and the media continued to view the movement as a social nuisance.
Latin America
Reggaeton has been a huge hit all across the globe, especially in Latin American countries, like most parts of the Carribean, Colombia, Central America including Mexico where it has become staple music in most parties and events, complementing the common mix of merengue, salsa and electronic music and has paved a huge fan base. In some countries (such as Venezuela, with Calle Ciega, Doble Impakto and Mr. Brian and Pescozada and Heavy Clan from El Salvador), domestic "reggaetoneros" have arisen, expanding the Pan-Latin feel of the genre.
United States
In the United States, reggaeton is highly popular among Hispanic youth. Reggaeton is now popular in cities all over the United States, including Los Angeles, Washington D.C., Chicago, New York City, Boston, Houston, Miami, Phoenix and almost every city with a significant Hispanic American population. Many popular Latino rappers and singers have also collaborated with reggaeton artists.
Europe
Reggaetón has become popular in Spain, particularly because of its appeal to Latin American immigrants, particularly those from Ecuador. A Spanish concept called "La Canción del Verano" (The Summer Song), under which a particular song or two define the mood for the season and are regarded unofficially as such by Spanish media, served as the basis for the extreme popularity of reggaetón songs such as the late Panamanian rapper Lorna's "Papi Chulo (Te traigo el Mmm)" in 2003, and Daddy Yankee's Gasolina in 2005. Puerto Rican and Panamanian reggaetón artists have toured the country, and Spain is developing a cadre of local reggaetón artists of its own.
Reggaetón is also experiencing a boom in Italy, thanks to artists like Don Omar (who filmed the video for his song Angelito in Rome, featuring many of the city's historic landmarks). Italian and Latin American music and culture often tend to intertwine with each other. Many popular Italian artists record in Spanish as well as Italian and vice versa, such as Laura Pausini and Tiziano Ferro. Italy's latin roots and similar culture regardless of language barriers can help explain an increase in the popularity of Reggaetón in Italy. And as time passes it is most likely that Italian artists will begin dabbling in the music genre themselves.
alright you people, is this where you go and talk shit about reggaeton??? you fuckers make me sick, you ignorant fucks..."reggaeton has the same beat...blah, blah blah...its too sexual...blah, blah blah...shut the fuck up!!! you just dont fuckin know anything. those that are typing shit about reggaeton just need to stop SHUT THE FUCK UP AND READ ok. ... im getting tired of it, seriously.
by VIP MEX CITY August 26, 2006