Reggaeton: How Did We Get Here?

By Aloor

Popular Latin American music style known as reggaeton was created in Puerto Rico in the late 1980s and early 1990s. With elements of Latin American and Caribbean music such as salsa, bomba, and plena, it is a fusion of reggae, dancehall, and hip-hop. Since then, reggaeton has spread worldwide, attracting musicians and fans alike. We shall examine the origins and development of reggaeton music in this blog post.

Reggae and dancehall music began to acquire popularity in Puerto Rico in the late 1970s and early 1980s, which is when reggaeton's origins may be found. Reggae is a musical style that has its roots in Jamaica and evolved from ska and rocksteady. It is distinguished by the Rastafarian lexicon it uses and the focus it places on conscious lyrics. On the other hand, the late 1970s saw the beginning of the Jamaican popular music genre known as dancehall. It is distinguished for its frantic beat and graphic lyrics.

As Puerto Rican DJs began fusing dancehall and reggae into their music in the 1980s, a new style known as "underground reggae" or "reggae en espaol" emerged. DJ Playero, who issued the first reggaeton mixtape, "Playero 37," in 1991, popularized this new musical style. The mixtape included performers from the genre's early pioneers, including DJ Negro, DJ Eric, and DJ Adam.

Reggaeton began to become more well recognized in Puerto Rico in the early 1990s, thanks in large part to the success of musicians like Daddy Yankee, Don Omar, and Wisin y Yandel and of course, DJ Nelson. The Puerto Rican government and media initially opposed reggaeton music because they believed it encouraged drug use and violence. Despite this, reggaeton performers continued to gain popularity, producing new albums and playing to packed venues.

With the release of popular songs by musicians like Daddy Yankee, Don Omar, and Wisin y Yandel that were broadcast on radio stations all over the world in the late 1990s and early 2000s, reggaeton began to receive international prominence. Due to the incorporation of reggaeton components into songs by musicians like Jennifer Lopez and Shakira, reggaeton music began to influence other musical genres.

Reggaeton lost some of its appeal in the middle of the 2000s as many musicians switched to other musical genres or stopped making music altogether. With new musicians like J Balvin, Bad Bunny, and Ozuna recording hit songs and filling arenas all over the world in the late 2010s, the genre did, however, make a resurgence. Reggaeton has become a worldwide hit in recent years, with listeners dancing to its enticing beats and singing along to its lyrics.

Reggaeton music has changed a lot throughout the years as new musicians have added their distinctive styles and flavors to the genre. Newer reggaeton songs are more socially conscious, with lyrics that address problems like social justice, governmental corruption, and ecology. Early reggaeton songs were defined by their explicit lyrics and quick speed.

In conclusion, reggaeton is a musical style that originated in the late 1970s and early 1980s but has undergone substantial development throughout time. From a minor underground genre, it has expanded into a worldwide phenomenon, with followers dancing to its infectious beats and humming its lyrics. Reggaeton has survived and developed despite early opposition and criticism, with new performers contributing their distinct styles and flavors to the genre.