The origin story of reggaeton has once again taken the spotlight as the Washington Post, owned by Jeff Bezos, did an extensive feature on the genre, bringing into focus Jamaica’s influence as well as Panamanian and Puerto Rican influences on the latin genre.
With interviews from several top selling artists in the Latin community, the Post details the connecting factors that made the Dem Bow beat and rhythm so popular now.
Wisin, who has collaborated with Shaggy and Charly Black is a defendant in a lawsuit filed by dancehall riddim duo Steely and Clevie says, “the urban genre has been passing the baton, like a relay, and thats why the genre has reached where it is now because talented people have come and joined all the time, not just those with microphones but composers, producers and arrangers. People who want to work in the urban movement.”
Bad Bunny’s opening performance at the 2023 Grammys, is viewed as a pivotal moment for Reggaeton as the Puerto Rican rapper, nominated for album of the year for “Un Verano Sin Ti,” became the first entirely Spanish-language project to earn a nomination in the ceremony’s most prestigious category. As he launched into a medley featuring “El Apagón” and “Después de la Playa,” reggaeton took center stage at the “Gringo Grammys,” marking its dominant force in global pop music.
However, the roots of reggaeton, the Washington Post highlights, began with technology and migration in the mid-1980s with Jamaican Dancehall and Panamanian’s Reggae en Español. Producers introduced synthesizers and drum machines to dancehall reggae, giving rise to faster beats and distinctive riddims. Black Panamanians, descendants of West Indian immigrants, added a Spanish twist, creating beats that would top the charts decades later.
One influential beat was popularized by El General, whose catchy riddims influenced the sound of underground music in Puerto Rico. Simultaneously in Jamaica, Wycliffe “Steely” Johnson and Cleveland “Clevie” Browne’s “Fish Market” instrumental laid the foundation for reggaeton.
The Fish Market lawsuit filed by Steely and Clevie declares that over 1800 reggaeton songs have infringed upon the 1989 beat.
Among the highlighted developments and moments for reggaeton noted by the Post are:
Underground Puerto Rico
In Puerto Rico, DJ Playero, known as Pedro Torruellas, shaped the genre’s underground scene with mixtapes featuring dancehall and hip-hop tunes. “Pounder,” a track created using sampled reggae rhythms, became a cornerstone of reggaeton, featuring an up-and-coming artist named Daddy Yankee.
The Movement Gets ‘Gasolina’
Reggaeton’s underground music spread, chopping up dancehall reggae and Latin beats into modern reggaeton. By the early 2000s, it became a global phenomenon, with its epicenter in Puerto Rico and influences spreading through Latin America and Latino communities in the U.S.
Reggaeton as Pop Music
Despite early hits, reggaeton faced criticism for whitewashing and being dismissed as a fad. However, it had other plans. Between hits like “Gasolina” and “Despacito,” reggaeton shifted to Colombia in 2007. Artists like Nicky Jam revitalized the genre, leading to a new generation of stars, including Maluma, Karol G, and J Balvin.
The Future: Where is Reggaeton Going?
Reggaeton infiltrated mainstream pop, influencing artists from various genres and encouraging collaborations. Spanish became the new international language of music. Despite concerns of whitewashing and industry labels like “urbano,” reggaeton continued to evolve.
Bad Bunny, a key figure in the genre’s new guard, returned to his roots in his latest album, paying homage to reggaeton pioneers. The genre’s pioneers also made a comeback, with Ivy Queen and Tego Calderón reclaiming their positions.
Reggaeton’s journey is one of resistance, evolution, and global dominance. As it continues to shape the music landscape, one thing is clear: reggaeton is here to stay.
Read entire Washington Post feature in the origins and success of pop culture’s fastest growing genre here.
