Reggaeton (also spelled Reggaetón, and known as Reguetón and Reggaetón in Spanish) is a form of urban music which became popular with Latin American (or Latino) youth during the early 1990s and spread over the course of 10 years to North American, European, Asian, and Australian audiences. Reggaeton blends Jamaican music influences of reggae and dancehall with those of Latin America, such as bomba, plena, merengue, and bachata as well as that of hip hop and Electronica. The music is also combined with rapping or singing in Spanish, English or 'Spanglish'. Reggaeton has given the Hispanic youth, starting with those from Puerto Rico, 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 audience.
While it takes influences from hip hop and Jamaican dancehall, itwould be wrong to define reggaeton as the Hispanic or Latino version ofeither of these genres; Reggaeton has its own specific beat and rhythm,whereas Latino hip hopis simply hip hop recorded by artists of Latino descent. The specificrhythm that characterizes reggaeton is referred to as “Dem Bow.”[1][2] The name is a reference to the title of the dancehall song by Shabba Ranks that first popularized the beat in the early 1990s.
Reggaeton's origins represents a hybrid of many different musicalgenres and influences from various countries in the Caribbean, LatinAmerica and the United States. The genre of reggaeton however is mostclosely associated with Puerto Rico, as this is where the musical stylelater popularized and became most famous, and where the vast majorityof its current stars originate from.
Reggaeton lyrics tend to be more derived from hip hop thandancehall. Like hip hop, reggaeton has caused some controversy, albeitmuch less, due to a few of the songs' explicit lyrics and allegedexploitation of women . Further controversy surrounds perreo, a dance with explicit sexual overtones which is associated with reggaeton music.
Early History and Origins
Reggaeton's roots are from Panama [7] [8][3] 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 [2]. The origins of reggaeton begin with the first reggae recordings being made in Panama during the 1970s.Reportedly, the Jamaican reggae influence on Panamanian music has beenstrong since the early 20th century, when Jamaican laborers were usedto help build the Panama Canal. [2] Artists such as El General, Chicho Man, Nando Boom, Renato, and Black Apache are considered the first raggamuffin DJsfrom Panama. El General has been identified as one of the fathers ofreggaeton, blending Jamaican reggae into a Latin-ised version. It wascommon practice to translate the lyrics of Jamaican reggae song intoSpanish 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 reggaeton sound, and he is widely credited with this achievement [9].The widespread movement of “Spanish reggae” in the Latin-Americancommunities of the Caribbean and the urban centres of the United Stateshelp increase its popularity [2].
During the 1990sreggae production took off seriously in Panama; this also occurredseparately 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 areconsidered the first proper reggaeton tracks, initially called “under,”a short form of “Underground.” DJ Playerowas one of the most famous producers at the time, releasing severalunderground cassettes that featured early performances of somesoon-to-be-famous artists like Daddy Yankee.The basis for reggaeton was laid in Puerto Rico at this time, with themelding of Panamanian Spanish reggae, with influences from dancehall,hip-hop and various other Latin American musical genres [2].
The genre morphed through the years, at various points being termed“Melaza,” “música underground,” and “Dem Bow.” This last nameoriginated from reggaeton's distinguishing rhythmic feature: the Dem Bow (alternately spelled “Dembow”) beat, relying heavily on the snare drum, which is used in nearly all Reggaeton songs today. [1] [2] 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.[10] 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.[11]It should be pointed out that neither Shabba or El General sangreggaeton as neither the genre nor its title were as yet formed.Additionally “Dem Bow” was just a single song in Shabba's catalog, withRanks 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.
Reggaeton's popularity in the U.S. may also owe some credit to popular Latin Rap artists such as Mellow Man Ace (who produced "Mentirosa", the first platinum single by a Latin rapper, in 1989) or even Gerardo, with his Latin hip-hop hit "Rico Suave", a top 40 in the U.S. in 1991.
[edit] Rise to popularity
The name reggaeton only gained prominence in the mid-1990s (from the 1994 to 1995period), with the Dem Bow beat characterizing the genre; this is incontrast to the more reggae, dancehall and hip hop-derived trackspreviously created. The name was created in Puerto Rico to signify thehybrid sound, and distinguish it from the previous Spanish reggae, created from the years of mixing the different genres.[2] 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.
Reggaeton expanded and became known when other producers followed the steps of DJ Playero, like DJ Nelson and DJ Eric. In the early 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, MC Ceja, Baby Rasta & Gringo, and Lito Y Polaco among others were very popular.
Many now popular producers, such as the Dominican duo Luny Tunes, Noriega and Eliel, first appeared in the reggaetón 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.
2004was the year that reggaeton gained widespread popularity in the UnitedStates, eventually gaining attention in many “Western” countries. Thiswas due to N.O.R.E. introducing the genre to mainstream America with the song “Oye Mi Canto,”[citation needed] followed by Daddy Yankee who came out with his album “Barrio Fino” and his mega hit single “Gasolina.” Another important artist who contributed to reggaeton's increasing popularity, especially in Europe, is Don Omar, with singles like “Pobre Diabla” and “Dale Don Dale.”[12] Other very popular reggaetón artists include Alexis Y Fido, Angel & Khriz, Nina Sky, Nicky Jam, Zion y Lennox, Rakim & Ken-Y, Voltio, Calle 13, Héctor El Father, Ivy Queen, Wisin & Yandel, Tito El Bambino and Tego Calderon.
Don Omar’s May 2006 album, King of Kings, became history’shighest 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.”[13]King of Kings also peaked at #7 in the Billboards top 200 albums. DonOmar was also able to beat the in-store appearance sales record atDowntown Disney's Virgin music store previously set by pop star Britney Spears, further demonstrating reggaeton's massive rise to popularity in the United States.
[edit] Musical Characteristics
[edit] Reggaeton beat
Reggaeton’s most notably unique feature is a driving drum-machinetrack which was derived from a popular Jamaican dancehall rhythm. Asstated previously this beat is called “Dem Bow,” from the BobbyDixon-produced Shabba Ranks song of the same title.
Many of the sounds found in a typical reggaeton beat areelectronically synthesized. Simple melodies may be produced withkeyboards, electric guitars, and other electronic instruments. Otherforms of electronic dance music have significantly influenced reggaetonbeats, 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, salsa and hip-hop beats. Other subgenres of reggaeton include Romantikeo, Bachateo and Salsaton.
[edit] Reggaeton and hip-hop
ify a cultural blending pot in today’s urban scene.
[edit] Lyrics and themes
Reggaeton lyrical structure resembles hip-hop lyrics. Like hip-hop,most reggaeton artists recite their lyrics rap-fashion rather than singit melodically. Unlike hip-hop music, however, a significant percent ofreggaeton artists are also singers, may blend rapping and singing, andmay also have a "street" image, similar to Akon. Like hip-hop music, reggaeton songs have hooks that are repeated throughout the song.
Reggaeton started as a genre composed of mostly male artists, with aslowly increasing number of female artists debuting over the years.Notable female reggaetón artists include Ivy Queen, Adassa, and Glory.
Reggaeton lyrical themes are versatile. Typical themes may includedancing, love stories, partying, short anecdotes of the rapper's life,and problems in life. Popular reggaeton songs are mainly intended to bedanceable, rhythmic, party-like songs for young people. Reggaeton mayor may not be objectionable depending on the artists, song, and thelistener's interpretation, as one reggaeton song may have manyinterpretations because a song's meaning may not be very clear anddirect; Many of the songs are highly subliminal. For example, the song Gasolina is often considered appropriate for children and has made it into the Reggaeton Niños series.[citation needed] 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 CDs are not labeled “explicit” like many hip-hop CDs 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 the song "Gangsta Zone"), even though the regular studio version of Barrio Finowas not labeled explicit. Some reggaeton artists are able to circumventradio and television censorship by using sexual innuendo and lyricswith double meanings in their music.
[edit] Reggaeton across the world
[edit] Latin America
Reggaeton is very popular in Latin American countries such as Panama, Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Mexico as well as in the countries of Central America and South America.Reggaeton has become staple music in many 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 withDoble Impakto, Honduraswith Los Bohemios del Reggaeton, C4, Bullaka Family, Da Play, Syromeand notable hit-makers producers such as M.O.N.O Acido or Acid Munkeyand Salomon & Neptune and El Salvador with Pescozada and Heavy Clan, domestic “reggaetoneros” have arisen, expanding the Pan-Latin feel of the genre.
[edit] Puerto Rico
Reggaeton derives from the post-Salsa music youth generation of the80's and early 90's in Puerto Rico. Before reggaeton exploded in themid-nineties, young street artists, heavily influenced by East Coast hip hop and turntablism, rapped over cassette tracks easily acquired within their Commonwealth (United States insular area)status. Alongside this early hip hop influenced reggae-rap, evolved thePanamanian reggae style which eventually fused into reggaeton.
This new genre was simply called “underground.” It contained veryexplicit lyrics about drugs, violence, poverty, homophobia, friendship,love, and sex. These common themes, which in many cases depict thetroubles of an inner-city life, can still be found in reggaeton today.“Underground” music was recorded in “marquesinas” (or Puerto Rican opengarages) and distributed in the streets via cassettes. The most popularcassettes in the early 1990's were Dj Negro's The Noise I and II, andDj Playero's #37 and #38. These recordings spread out the genre fromthe marginalized residential areas into other sectors of society,particularly into private schools. By the mid 90s “underground”cassettes were being sold in commercial music stores. The genre caughtup with the middle class youth and inevitably found its way to themedia.
By this time Puerto Rico had a few clubs dedicated to theunderground scene. Club Rappers in Carolina, and club PlayMakers inPuerto Nuevo were the most notable. Bobby “Digital” Dixon'sdembow track was exploited in order to appeal in the context of theclub. Underground music wasn't intended originally to be club music.
The Puerto Rican chapter of Morality in Mediaasked the local authorities to intervene and ban selling undergroundmusic, which subsequently required that all local productions beingsold displayed a Parental Advisory label[citation needed].By 1998 DJ Negro released The Noise 3 with a mock up label that readNon-Explicit Lyrics. The album contained no cursing until the lastsong. The album was a hit and underground music further crept into themainstream. Senator Velda González of the Popular Democratic Party and the media continued to view the movement as a social nuisance.[14]
[edit] United States
In the United States,reggaeton is highly popular among Latino/Hispanic youth. Reggaeton isnow popular in cities all over the United States, including Los Angeles, Chicago, New York City, Washington, D.C., Houston, Miami, and almost every city with a large Hispanic population. In 2004, XM Radio launched a channel called Fuego (XM), which played exclusively Reggaeton music.
[edit] Europe
Reggaeton has become popular in Spain because of its appeal to Latin American immigrants[citation needed]. A Spanish concept called “La Canción del Verano” (The Summer Song),under which a particular song or two define the mood for the season andare regarded unofficially as such by Spanish media, served as the basisfor the extreme popularity of reggaeton songs such as Panamanian rapperLorna’s “Papi Chulo (Te traigo el Mmm) ” in 2003, and Daddy Yankee's Gasolinain 2005. Puerto Rican and Panamanian reggaeton artists have toured thecountry, and Spain is developing a cadre of local reggaeton artists ofits own[citation needed].
Reggaeton is also experiencing a boom in Italy[citation needed], thanks in big part to artists like Don Omar who filmed the video for his song Angelito in Rome, featuring many of the city's historic landmarks.