New York City has officially declared October Reggaetón Heritage Month, recognizing the genre’s Jamaican reggae and dancehall roots, its early development in Panama, its evolution in Puerto Rico, and its global cultural influence.
The New York City Council unanimously approved Resolution 625-B on October 22, 2026, following an initiative spearheaded by Panamanian recording artist Jaime “Gringo Man” Davidson and Dr. Meda Leacock, co-founder of Avenida Records.
The resolution was introduced by Brooklyn Council Member Farah N. Louis and celebrates the contributions of Afro-Caribbean and Latin American communities to the genre’s development.
Reggaeton pioneer El Gringo said, “this is one united front, we don’t want to leave anybody out. But it starts from the Panamanian culture uniting with everyone in New York City.”
It recognizes early Panamanian pioneers, including El General, Renato, Nando Boom, Chicho Man, Carlito Soul, Reggae Sam and Gringo Man, whose work helped establish reggae en español by adapting Jamaican reggae and dancehall influences into Spanish-language recordings.
“This is 31 days of celebration starting next year October 2027, I want to invite people to come and see what reggaeton is, we want to highlight all the diffent cultures,” Davidson added.
The recognition also acknowledges Puerto Rico’s role in popularizing and expanding reggaetón, highlighting influential artists such as Daddy Yankee, Ivy Queen, Tego Calderón, Don Omar, Héctor & Tito and Nicky Jam.
Speaking on the resolution, Council Member Louis emphasized that reggaetón has roots in Panama and a history shaped by Puerto Rico, Brooklyn and the wider Caribbean diaspora.
The declaration establishes an annual cultural observance aimed at preserving the genre’s history, celebrating its pioneers and educating future generations about the communities that helped create the global movement.
Plans are also being explored for a major celebration in Brooklyn in October 2027, potentially featuring reggae en español pioneers, Jamaican dancehall artists, producers and DJs.
