Reggaeton es el Ritmo del Barrio
Reggaeton started as a version of Jamaican reggae music in Panama during the late 1970s. Originally it was like reggae in español. It continued evolving and changed over the years. Eventually it migrated to
Puerto Rico
and mixed with the local reggae and hip-hop styles there as well as other Latin American music.
When Caribbean and black music gained popularity in Puerto Rico, a new style of reggae rap in Spanish emerged. Young people loved the new sound, but it was banned and confiscated by police. It went underground and circulated through informal networks until the mid-1990s. Despite earlier controversy, the style slowly gained acceptance as an important part of Puerto Rican culture.
This music really began to take off in 2004 in the United States and Europe. One of the top performers was Daddy Yankee with his album Barrio Fino. It quickly spread around the world becoming a mega-hit. Other very popular artists included Don Omar, Calle 13, Wisin & Yandel, and Ivy Queen.
To hear Daddy Yankee’s Pose click here In 2006, Don Omar's album King of Kings became the highest ranking album in the top 10 U.S. charts and #1 on the Top Latin Albums. Don Omar was also able to beat the in-store appearance sales record at the Downtown Disney's Virgin music store previously set by Britney Spears. To hear
In recent years, Daddy Yankee has continued to set sales records along with rising young stars Wisin & Yandel. Despite Puerto Rico's struggling economy, several stars have also achieved business success with new record labels like Daddy Yankee's El Cartel Records and Wisín & Yandel's WY Records. Reggaeton is gaining worldwide popularity and continues to evolve and mix with other styles.
|
