Reggaeton: The Sound That Broke Barriers

Reggaeton: The Sound That Broke Barriers

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION ..........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................10
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Reggaeton is also known as regueton. It is a style of music which has arisen in Puerto
Rico in year 1990's. It is one of the most famous music genres in Caribbean in countries such as
Puerto Rico, Venezuela and many others. After many years, Reggaeton more famous in Latin
America and in mainstream Western music (Hill, 2019). The following essay will outline the
research on history of Reggaeton and the expansion of music style. It will explain history on
artists of Reggaeton. It will further explain influence of the music style which was emerged from
Panama, South America. Reggaeton has become popular in different countries across the world.
The music is mainly influenced by Hip Hop, Caribbean music and Dancehall etc. The essay will
also describe the specific cultural origin and political base of Reggaeton. The music style was
originated from Panama in year 1970's. It will further explain the ways in which the style of
music has become popular in America and across the world. The search for Latin music has
grown by 110% with an average of ten songs out of fifty songs (Araüna, Tortajada and Figueras-
Maz, 2019). Six out of top ten songs that are watched on YouTube are from Latin artists. There
are various artists that gain popularity due to Reggaeton such as Nando Boom, EI General,
Renato etc.
Further, Despacito has continuously dominated Spotify in such as way that no other song
ever has (Despacito continues to dominate Spotify in a way no other song ever has, 2018).
Moreover, the remix version of Despacito has become true global smash that features Justin
Bieber. The Essay will also outline the expansion of Reggaeton and it's popularity at global level
(Baldrich, Beric and Meyers, 2018). Moreover, the song has also received attention outside
America from various nations. It will also explain that approximately 95% of Reggaeton was
exported by America to another countries (Favoretto, 2016). In year 2017, Reggaeton has
expanded in nations such as Europe, mainly half part of North America and whole South
America (Brill, 2017). At last, Essay will explain how Anitta an artist in Brazil has started
singing Reggaeton in Spanish. It will also outline translation into gringos. The Essay helps to
outline the way in which Latin American music has influenced whole world of media. Anitta has
approached to producers of gringo who are already working with stars of Reggaeton. At this
moment, Anitta is still singing songs in Portuguese, however, as I will be showing later in the
essay after she analysed that to penetrate the market it is essential to sing in Spanish and English.
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MAIN BODY
“Evolution of Reggaeton and how it is expanded drastically and the influence of Reggaeton”.
Chapter 1) Research and History on Reggaeton Artists and Music.
As per the view of Bodenheimer (2017) the roots of Reggaeton are from Panama and the
music gets evolved and come to prominence in Puerto Rico. The origin of this music style was
begin with recording made during year 1970's in Latin American language. There are various
artsist that are considered as first ragamuffin DJ's from Panama like Black, Apache, Nando
Boom, EI General, Renato etc (Brill, 2017). During that time, it is common to translate the lyrics
of Reggaeton into Spanish language and sing the lyrics over original melodies. The father of
Reggaeton was EI General who blends Jamaican reggae into Latin version (Cervantes, 2015). DJ
Playero is considered as one of the most popular producers at that time. The basis of Reggaeton
is based on Puerto Rico with melding of Panama Spanish reggae and it has influenced from other
musical genres of Latin America (Boss, 2015). The name Reggaeton gain popularity in mid
1990's due to beat characterizing with Dem Bow. The name was developed to reflect hybrid
sound and differentiate it from past Spanish reggae that was developed from years of mixing
various genres (Pangol, M.P., 2018).
Pacini Hernandez (2016) said that, the history of Reggaeton started from Jamaica and its
popularity of Reggaeton has increased in United States when DJ Blass has worked with other
artists like Plan B and in other albums. Further, Reggaeton has expanded and become well-
known due to other producers like DJ Nelson and DJ Eric. Albums such as Las Gargolas 4
become popular in United States. In year 2004, the music style has gain popularity in America
and also gain attention of other countries that was performed by popular artists such as Jimmy
Cliff etc. In year 2004, Reggaeton has become popular in Europe and United States and music
was already popular among youths. In year 2006, King of Kings of Don Omar's was one of the
highest ranking Reggaeton LP on charts of United States. Further, Wisin and Yandel's was third
highest Reggaeton album. The album has ranked at first position in Latin Albums chart in year
2007 (How Reggaeton is changing the world, 2018). Later In year 2017, the song Despacito by
Luis Fonsi reached a billion views in just three months.
As per the view of Heuser (2016) there are some genres that has gain political popularity
in Latin America are Latin Pop, Latin Rock and Reggaeton etc. Due to new economic boom,
strong influence of foreign countries and changing politics in the region, new generations of the
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