View source for Reggaeton

{{Short description|Music genre}}
{{Distinguish|Reggae|Reggae en Español}}
{{pp|small=yes}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2020}}
{{Infobox music genre
| name              = Reggaeton
| cultural_origins  = Late 1980s in Panama<ref name=Origin3>{{Cite web|last=Castillo|first=Pamela|date=6 July 2016|title=El reggaetón: cuatro décadas de historia con fusiones latinas|url=https://www.elcomercio.com/tendencias/entretenimiento/reggaeton-historia-panama-puertorico-musicaurbana.html|access-date=10 June 2023 |website=El Comercio|location=Quito, Ecuador|language=es-EC}}</ref><ref name="wpost">{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2021/08/19/ivy-queen-reggaeton-loud-podcast/|newspaper=Washington Post|title=Reggaeton's true origins have long been overlooked. An important new podcast sets the record straight.|access-date=2022-05-18}}</ref> Early 1990s in Puerto Rico<ref name="shonda">{{cite web |url=https://www.shondaland.com/live/a27892003/history-of-reggaeton/ |title=You Love Reggaeton, But Do You Know Where it Came From? |date=12 June 2019 |publisher=Shondaland |access-date=2022-05-18 |archive-date=4 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200404051540/https://www.shondaland.com/live/a27892003/history-of-reggaeton/ |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="latina">{{cite web |url=https://latina.com/vibra-urbana-festival-spotlighted-reggaeton-around-the-world-get-to-know-15-artists/ |publisher=Latina.com |title=Vibra Urbana Festival Spotlighted Reggaeton Around the World: Get to Know 15 Artists |date=9 May 2022 |access-date=2022-05-18}}</ref>
| stylistic_origins = {{flatlist|
*[[Reggae en Español]]
*[[dancehall]]
*[[Soca music|soca]]
*[[Toasting (Jamaican music)|toasting (Jamaica)]]
*[[Hip hop music|hip hop]]
}}
| instruments       = {{flatlist|
*[[drum machine]] 
*synthesizer
*[[Sampler (musical instrument)|sampler]]
*[[Digital audio workstation|DAW]]
*[[rapping]]
*vocals
}}
| subgenres         = {{flatlist|
*[[Alternative reggaeton]]
*[[bachatón]]
*[[#Cuba|cubatón]]
*[[Dominican dembow]]
*malianteo
*[[neoperreo]]
*pop-reggaetón
*romantic reggaetón  
}}
| fusiongenres      = {{flatlist|
*cumbiatón
*[[moombahton]]
*[[trapeton]]
}}
| regional_scenes   = {{flatlist|
*Argentina
*Colombia
*Dominican Republic
*Panama
*Puerto Rico
*United States
}}
}}
[[File:Summer 1995 Music scene at beach in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico - Snoop Dogg cameo.ogg|thumb|320px|alt="singing rapping in Spanish, Snoop Dogg cameo, Beach, Vega Baja, Puerto Rico summer of 1995! video"|The scene in the summer of 1995; local duo from [[Public housing in Puerto Rico|Residencial Luis Llorens Torres]] in San Juan, rapping at a club on the beach in [[Puerto Nuevo, Vega Baja, Puerto Rico|Puerto Nuevo, Vega Baja]]]]

'''Reggaeton''' ({{IPAc-en|UK|ˈ|r|ɛ|ɡ|eɪ|t|oʊ|n|,_|ˌ|r|ɛ|ɡ|eɪ|ˈ|t|ɒ|n}},<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/reggaeton |title=Reggaeton |work=[[Collins English Dictionary]] |publisher=[[HarperCollins]] |access-date=3 July 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190703091134/https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/reggaeton |archive-date=3 July 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite dictionary |url=http://www.lexico.com/definition/reggaeton |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200322182642/https://www.lexico.com/definition/reggaeton |url-status=dead |archive-date=2020-03-22 |title=reggaeton |dictionary=[[Lexico]] UK English Dictionary |publisher=[[Oxford University Press]]}}</ref> {{IPAc-en|US|ˌ|r|ɛ|ɡ|eɪ|ˈ|t|oʊ|n|,_|ˌ|r|eɪ|ɡ|-}})<ref name=":0">{{Cite American Heritage Dictionary |reggaeton |access-date=3 July 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite Merriam-Webster|reggaeton|access-date=3 July 2019}}</ref> is a style of [[popular music|popular]] and [[electronic music]] that originated in [[Panamanian reggaetón|Panama]] during the late 1980s.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://www.diariovasco.com/20080715/gente/reggaeton-nacio-panama-20080715.html |title= El Reggaetón nació en Panamá |first=María |last=Cabrera |website=El Diario Vasco |location=Donostia–San Sebastián, Spain |date= 15 July 2008 |access-date=10 June 2023}}</ref><ref name="Origin2">{{Cite web|title=Reggaetón nació en Panamá y no en Puerto Rico |url=https://www.abc.com.py/espectaculos/el-reggaeton-nacio-en-panama-y-no-en-puerto-rico-479294.html |agency=EFE |website=ABC Color |location=Asunción, Paraguay |date=18 November 2012 |access-date=10 June 2023 |language=es}}</ref><ref name="nyt">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/11/arts/music/reggaeton-loud-podcast.html|work=[[New York Times]]|title=Reggaeton's History Is Complex. A New Podcast Helps Us Listen That Way|date=11 August 2021 |access-date=2022-06-21|last1=Herrera |first1=Isabelia }}</ref> It has been popularized and dominated by artists from [[Puerto Rico]] since the early 1990s.<ref name="shonda"/>

It has evolved from [[dancehall]], with elements of [[Hip hop music|hip hop]], [[Latin American music|Latin American]], and [[Caribbean music]]. Vocals include [[Toasting (Jamaican music)|toasting]]/[[rapping]] and singing, typically in Spanish. Reggaeton is regarded as one of the most popular music genres in the [[Caribbean Spanish|Spanish-speaking Caribbean]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.stanforddaily.com/2018/04/27/the-rise-of-reggaeton/ |title=The rise of reggaeton |date=27 April 2018 |newspaper=[[The Stanford Daily]] |access-date=17 November 2018 |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118035238/https://www.stanforddaily.com/2018/04/27/the-rise-of-reggaeton/ |archive-date=18 November 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref> By the 2010s, the genre had seen increased popularity across Latin America, as well as acceptance within mainstream Western music.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/reggaeton-revolution-here-nicky-jam-saw-it-coming-n863371 |title=The reggaeton revolution is here, and Nicky Jam saw it coming |work=[[NBC News]] |access-date=17 November 2018 |language=en-US |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181117160901/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/latino/reggaeton-revolution-here-nicky-jam-saw-it-coming-n863371  |archive-date=17 November 2018|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Etymology ==
There are several versions about the origin of the word reggaeton. [[El General]]'s representative Michael Ellis is said to have originated the term, adding the -ton suffix to "make the word big."<ref name="pioneer">{{cite web|url=https://remezcla.com/features/music/tu-pum-pum-2/|publisher=Remezcla|title=Tu Pum Pum: Panamanian Artists Helped Birth Reggaeton, Then the Industry Left Them Behind|date=28 February 2018 |access-date=2024-04-14}}</ref><ref name=Origin3/>  One of them states that the word reggaeton emerged in 1994 when Daddy Yankee mentioned it for the first time while ''freestyling'' on the mixtape "Playero 34."<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.hola.com/us/celebrities/20231206353353/daddy-yankee-changed-his-name-after-retiring-from-reggaeton/ | title=Daddy Yankee changed his name after retiring from reggaeton | date=6 December 2023 }}</ref>  Another version suggests that it appeared the following year when DJ Erick released the album titled "Reggaetón Live Vol.1," abbreviating the words reggae and maratón (marathon).<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.informador.mx/Entretenimiento/Festival-de-reggae-servira-para-destacar-su-influencia-en-el-regueton-20090430-0123.html | title=Festival de reggae servirá para destacar su influencia en el reguetón | date=30 April 2009 }}</ref> 

The spellings ''reggaeton'' and ''reggaetón'' are common, although [[linguistic prescription|prescriptivist]] sources such as the [[Fundéu BBVA]] and the ''[[Academia Puertorriqueña de la Lengua Española]]'' recommend the spelling ''reguetón'', as it conforms more closely with traditional [[Spanish orthography|Spanish spelling rules]].<ref name="fundeu">{{Cite web|date=24 November 2010 |title=reguetón |url=https://www.fundeu.es/consulta/regueton-2623/ |access-date=10 June 2023 |website=FundéuRAE |language=es}}</ref><ref name="elmundo">{{Cite web |title=Ya no sería "reggaetón" sino "reguetón" |url=http://www.elmundo.com/portal/resultados/detalles/?idx=37007&anterior=1&paramdsdia=5&paramdsmes=06&paramdsanio=&cantidad=25&pag=5686 |agency=EFE |date=12 November 2006 |access-date=10 June 2023 |website=El Mundo |location=Medellín, Colombia |language=es |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121017035437/http://www.elmundo.com/portal/resultados/detalles/?idx=37007&anterior=1&paramdsdia=5&paramdsmes=06&paramdsanio=&cantidad=25&pag=5686 |archive-date=17 October 2012}}</ref>

== History ==
[[File:Daddy Yankee & Don Omar - The Kingdom (Official Q & A) (0,45 seg).png|thumb|upright|250px|[[Don Omar]] (left) and [[Daddy Yankee]] (right) are both referred to as the "[[Honorific nicknames in popular music|King of Reggaeton]]".<ref>Don Omar as King of Reggaeton:
* {{cite web|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/don-omar-gerardo-ortiz-to-perform-at-billboard-latin-music-awards-1552550/ |title=Don Omar, Gerardo Ortiz to Perform at Billboard Latin Music Awards |author=Justino Aguila |date=March 19, 2013 |publisher=Billboard |access-date=August 28, 2022 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407014049/https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/don-omar-gerardo-ortiz-to-perform-at-billboard-latin-music-awards-1552550/amp/ |archive-date=April 7, 2022}}
* {{cite web |last1=Moser |first1=John J. |title=Don Omar, one of Latin music's biggest stars, to play Sands Bethlehem Event Center |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/mc-ent-don-omar-sands-bethlehem-20180622-story.html |website=Chicago Tribune |access-date=24 August 2023 |date=22 June 2018}}
* {{cite web |title=Soulfrito Festival returns with Nas and Don Omar |url=https://www.miamiherald.com/miami-com/nightlife/article225709395.html |website=Miami Herald |access-date=24 August 2023 |date=2019-02-07 |quote=Omar, the Puerto Rican 'King of Reggaeton'}}</ref><ref>Daddy Yankee as King of Reggaeton:
* {{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/05/magazine/the-king-of-reggaeton.html|title=The King of Reggeatón|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=5 February 2006|access-date=30 March 2016|author=Corbett, Sara|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612200112/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/05/magazine/the-king-of-reggaeton.html|archive-date=12 June 2018|url-status=live}}
* {{cite web|url=http://colombiareports.com/events-nightlife/bogota/10970-reggaeton-king-daddy-yankee-to-play-bogota-.html |title=Reggaeton king Daddy Yankee to play Bogota |author=Pandora Pugsley |date=July 23, 2010 |publisher=Colombia Reports |access-date=February 1, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101202005539/http://colombiareports.com/events-nightlife/bogota/10970-reggaeton-king-daddy-yankee-to-play-bogota-.html |archive-date=December 2, 2010}}</ref>]]

=== 1980s–2000s: Emergence ===
Often mistaken for [[reggae]] or {{lang|es|reggae en Español}}, reggaeton is a younger genre that originated in the late 1980s in Panama and was later popularized in Puerto Rico.<ref name="Origin2"/><ref>{{Cite web |title=El reguetón nació en Puerto Rico |url=https://hablacultura.com/cultura-textos-aprender-espanol/musica-en-espanol/regueton/ |access-date=2023-01-29 |website=HABLACULTURA |language=es}}</ref><ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Herrera |first=Isabelia |date=2021-08-11 |title=Reggaeton's History Is Complex. A New Podcast Helps Us Listen That Way. |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/11/arts/music/reggaeton-loud-podcast.html |access-date=2023-01-29 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Culture Spotlight: Reggaeton Music |url=https://kid-museum.org/maker-playground/culture-spotlight-reggaeton-music/ |access-date=2023-01-29 |website=KID Museum |language=en-US}}</ref> It had its origins in what was known as "underground rap" music, due to its circulation through informal networks and performances at unofficial venues. [[DJ Playero]] and [[DJ Nelson]] were inspired by hip hop and [[dancehall]] to produce "[[riddim]]s", the first reggaeton tracks. As Caribbean and African-American music gained momentum in Puerto Rico, reggae rap in Spanish marked the beginning of the [[Boricua]] underground and was a creative outlet for many young people. This created an inconspicuous-yet-prominent underground youth culture which sought to express itself. As a youth culture existing on the fringes of society and the law, it has often been criticized. The Puerto Rican police launched a campaign against underground music by confiscating cassette tapes from music stores under penal obscenity codes, levying fines and demonizing rappers in the media.<ref name="PRU" /> Bootleg recordings and word of mouth became the primary means of distribution for this music until 1998, when it coalesced into modern reggaeton. The genre's popularity increased when it was discovered by international audiences during the early 2000s.<ref name="phoenix">{{cite news |url=http://thephoenix.com/Boston/Music/1595-rise-of-reggaeton/ |title=Rise of Reggaetón |date=19 January 2006 |publisher=The Phoenix |access-date=24 July 2006 |author=Wayne Marshall |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081002100115/http://thephoenix.com/Boston/Music/1595-rise-of-reggaeton/ |archive-date=2 October 2008 |url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:Casa con dos marquesinas en San Sebastián, Puerto Rico.jpg|thumb|Cassettes were made in carports ({{lang|es|marquesinas}}) and then sold on the street, out of the trunk of a car.]]
The new genre, simply called "underground" and later "{{lang|es|perreo}}", had explicit lyrics about drugs, violence, poverty, friendship, love and sex. These themes, depicting the troubles of inner-city life, can still be found in reggaeton. "Underground" music was recorded in {{lang|es|marquesinas}} (or [[carports]])<ref name="ENDI 2022" /> and at public housing complexes such as Villa Kennedy, and Jurutungo,<ref>{{cite web | title=Portraits of Daddy Yankee in Villa Kennedy Puerto Rico| website=Alamy | date=July 23, 2022 | url=https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-portrait-of-daddy-yankee-in-villa-kennedy-puerto-rico-79634660.html | access-date=July 23, 2022}}</ref><ref name="PRU" /> often by creators using second-hand recording equipment.<ref name="ENDI 2022">{{cite web | title=Crónica: Las guardianas del reguetón | website=El Nuevo Día | date=July 24, 2022 | url=https://www.elnuevodia.com/entretenimiento/musica/notas/cronica-las-guardianas-del-regueton/ | language=es | access-date=July 25, 2022}}</ref> Despite that, the quality of the cassettes was good enough to help increase their popularity among Puerto Rican youth. The cassettes were sold or distributed on the streets from the trunks of cars.<ref name="ENDI 2022" /><ref name="PRU">Mayra Santos, "Puerto Rican Underground", ''Centro vol. 8 1 & 2'' (1996), p. 219-231.</ref> The availability and quality of the cassettes led to reggaeton's popularity, which crossed socioeconomic barriers in the [[Puerto Rican music]] scene. The most popular cassettes in the early 1990s were DJ Negro's ''The Noise I'' and ''II'' and DJ Playero's 37 and 38. Gerardo Cruet, who created the recordings, spread the genre from the marginalized residential areas into other sectors of society, particularly private schools.

By the mid-1990s, "underground" cassettes were being sold in music stores. The genre caught on with middle-class youth, then found its way into the media. By this time, Puerto Rico had several clubs dedicated to the underground scene; Club Rappers in Carolina and PlayMakers in Puerto Nuevo were the most notable. [[Robert Dixon (musician)|Bobby "Digital" Dixon]]'s "[[Dem Bow]]" production was played in clubs. Underground music was not originally intended to be club music. In South Florida, DJ Laz and Hugo Diaz of the Diaz Brothers were popularizing the genre from Palm Beach to Miami.

Underground music in Puerto Rico was harshly criticized. In February 1995, there was a government-sponsored campaign against underground music and its cultural influence. Puerto Rican police raided six record stores in San Juan,<ref>{{cite news |author=Sara Corbett |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/05/magazine/05reggaeton.html?pagewanted=print |title=The King of Reggaetón |access-date=30 January 2008 |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=5 February 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612053940/http://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/05/magazine/05reggaeton.html?pagewanted=print |archive-date=12 June 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref> hundreds of cassettes were confiscated and fines imposed in accordance with Laws 112 and 117 against obscenity.<ref name="PRU" /> The Department of Education banned baggy clothing and underground music from schools.<ref name="news.nacla.org">{{cite web| author=Frances Negrón-Muntaner and Raquel Z. Rivera |url=http://news.nacla.org/2007/12/17/reggaeton-nation/| title= Reggaeton Nation |access-date=17 December 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071221230347/http://news.nacla.org/2007/12/17/reggaeton-nation/ <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = 21 December 2007}}</ref> For months after the raids local media demonized rappers, calling them "irresponsible corrupters of the public order."<ref name="PRU" />

In 1995, DJ Negro released ''The Noise 3'' with a [[mockup]] label reading, "Non-explicit lyrics". The album had no cursing until the last song. It was a hit, and underground music continued to seep into the mainstream. Senator [[Velda González]] of the [[Popular Democratic Party of Puerto Rico|Popular Democratic Party]] and the media continued to view the movement as a social nuisance.<ref>{{cite web| author=Hilda Garcia and Gonzalo Salvador |url=http://ecolatino.com/en/stories/120104/new_120104032.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050115084320/http://ecolatino.com/en/stories/120104/new_120104032.shtml |archive-date=15 January 2005| title=Reggaeton: The Emergence of a New Rhythm| access-date=23 June 2007}}</ref>

During the mid-1990s, the Puerto Rican police and National Guard confiscated reggaeton tapes and CDs to get "obscene" lyrics out of the hands of consumers.<ref>John Marino, "Police Seize Recordings, Say Content Is Obscene", San Juan Star, 3 February 1995; Raquel Z. Rivera, "Policing Morality, Mano Dura Style: The Case of Underground Rap and Reggae in Puerto Rico in the Mid-1990s", in Reading Reggaeton.</ref> Schools banned hip hop clothing and music to quell reggaeton's influence. In 2002, Senator González led public hearings to regulate the sexual "slackness" of reggaeton lyrics. Although the effort did not seem to negatively affect public opinion about reggaeton, it reflected the unease of the government and the upper social classes with what the music represented. Because of its often sexually charged content and its roots in poor, urban communities, many middle- and upper-class Puerto Ricans found reggaeton threatening, "immoral, as well as artistically deficient, a threat to the social order, apolitical".<ref name="news.nacla.org" />

Despite the controversy, reggaeton slowly gained acceptance as part of Puerto Rican culture — helped, in part, by politicians including González who began to use reggaeton in election campaigns to appeal to younger voters in 2003.<ref name="news.nacla.org" /> Puerto Rican mainstream acceptance of reggaeton has grown and the genre has become part of popular culture, including a 2006 [[Pepsi]] commercial with [[Daddy Yankee]]<ref>{{cite web| author=Matt Caputo |url=http://www.ballerstatus.com/article/features/2006/01/2133/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080302021446/http://www.ballerstatus.com/article/features/2006/01/2133/ |archive-date=2 March 2008| title= Daddy Yankee: The Voice of His People |access-date=29 January 2008}}</ref> and PepsiCo's choice of [[Ivy Queen]] as musical spokesperson for Mountain Dew.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.amazon.com/Sentimiento-Ivy-Queen/dp/B000NJL0D4| title=Amazon.com: Sentimiento: Music: Editorial Reviews| website=Amazon.com| access-date=3 December 2012| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130108051342/http://www.amazon.com/Sentimiento-Ivy-Queen/dp/B000NJL0D4| archive-date=8 January 2013| url-status=live}}</ref>{{unreliable source?|date=December 2018}} Other examples of greater acceptance in Puerto Rico are religiously and educationally influenced lyrics; ''Reggae School'' is a rap album produced to teach math skills to children, similar to ''[[School House Rock]]''.<ref>{{cite book| first= Jorge L. |last= Giovannetti |title="Popular Music and Culture in Puerto Rico: Jamaican and Rap Music as Cross-Cultural Symbols" Musical Migrations: Transnationalism and Cultural Hybridity in the Americas |editor= Frances R. Aparicio and Cándida F. Jáquez |place= New York |publisher= Palgrave |year= 2003}}</ref> Reggaeton expanded when other producers, such as [[DJ Nelson]] and DJ Eric, followed [[DJ Playero]]. During the 1990s, [[Ivy Queen]]'s 1996 album ''[[En Mi Imperio]]'', [[DJ Playero]]'s ''Playero 37'' (introducing Daddy Yankee) and ''The Noise: Underground'', ''The Noise 5'' and ''The Noise 6'' were popular in Puerto Rico and the [[Dominican Republic]]. [[Don Chezina]], [[Tempo (rapper)|Tempo]], [[Eddie Dee]], [[Baby Rasta & Gringo]] and [[Lito & Polaco]] were also popular.

The name "reggaeton" became prominent during the early 2000s, characterized by the [[dembow beat]]. It was coined in Puerto Rico to describe a unique fusion of Puerto Rican music.<ref name="phoenix" /> Reggaeton is currently popular throughout Latin America. It increased in popularity with Latino youth in the United States when DJ Joe and DJ Blass worked with [[Plan B (duo)|Plan B]] and [[Speedy (musician)|Sir Speedy]]<ref name="RhythmTravels.com">{{cite web |url=http://rhythmtravels.com/qa/qa-with-dj-blass |title=Q&A with DJ Blass |date=3 July 2014 |website=Rhythmtravels.com|access-date=10 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150506163454/http://rhythmtravels.com/qa/qa-with-dj-blass|archive-date=6 May 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref> on ''Reggaeton Sex'', ''Sandunguero'' and ''Fatal Fantasy''.

=== {{Anchor|2004: The cross-over year}}2004: Crossover ===
In 2004, reggaeton became popular throughout the United States and Europe. [[Tego Calderón]] was receiving airplay in the U.S., and the music was popular among youth. Daddy Yankee's ''[[El Cangri.com]]'' became popular that year in the country, as did [[Héctor & Tito]]. [[Luny Tunes]] and [[Noriega (producer)|Noriega]]'s ''[[Mas Flow (album)|Mas Flow]]'', [[Yaga & Mackie]]'s ''[[Sonando Diferente]]'', Tego Calderón's ''[[El Abayarde]]'', Ivy Queen's ''[[Diva (Ivy Queen album)|Diva]]'', [[Zion & Lennox]]'s ''[[Motivando a la Yal]]'' and the ''[[Desafío (album)|Desafío]]'' compilation were also well received. Rapper [[N.O.R.E.]] released a hit single, "[[Oye Mi Canto]]". Daddy Yankee released ''[[Barrio Fino]]'' and a hit single, "[[Gasolina]]", opening the door for reggaeton globally.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Corbett |first1=Sara |title=The King of Reggaetón |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/05/magazine/the-king-of-reggaeton.html |access-date=19 October 2021 |work=The New York Times |date=5 February 2006}}</ref> Tego Calderón recorded the singles "Pa' Que Retozen" and "Guasa Guasa". [[Don Omar]] was popular, particularly in Europe, with "[[Pobre Diabla (Mexican TV series)|Pobre Diabla]]" and "[[Dale Don Dale]]".<ref name="auto1">{{cite web|url=http://ocio.ya.com/musica/2005/01/254555.html|title=El Reggaeton|date=8 February 2007|access-date=10 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070208201504/http://ocio.ya.com/musica/2005/01/254555.html|archive-date=8 February 2007}}</ref> Other popular reggaeton artists include [[Tony Dize]], [[Angel & Khriz]], [[Nina Sky]], [[Dyland & Lenny]], [[RKM & Ken-Y]], [[Julio Voltio]], [[Calle 13 (band)|Calle 13]], [[Héctor el Father]], [[Wisin & Yandel]] and [[Tito El Bambino]]. In late 2004 and early 2005, inspired by the success of "Gasolina", [[Shakira]] collaborated with [[Alejandro Sanz]] to record "[[La Tortura]]" and "La Tortura – Shaketon Remix" for her album, ''[[Fijación Oral Vol. 1]]'', further popularizing reggaeton.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/3131801/daddy-yankee-gasolina-barrio-fino-15-anniversary/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190718224816/http://www.mtv.com/news/3131801/daddy-yankee-gasolina-barrio-fino-15-anniversary/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=18 July 2019 |title=15 Years Ago, Daddy Yankee's Barrio Fino Set The Template For Reggaeton's Big Rise |date=July 18, 2019 |author=Staff |website=[[MTV]] |access-date=June 22, 2021}}</ref> Four reggaeton songs were sung at the [[2005 MTV Video Music Awards]]: by [[Don Omar]] ("[[Dile (Don Omar song)|Dile]]"), Tego Calderón, Daddy Yankee, and Shakira with Sanz&nbsp;– the first time any reggaeton song was performed on that stage.

Musicians began to incorporate [[Bachata (music)|bachata]] into reggaeton,<ref name="ReggaetonBook">{{Cite book|last1=Rivera|first1=Raquel Z.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=koaINmF8l5kC&q=La%2520Mala%2520Ivy%2520Queen&pg=PA143|title=Reggaeton|last2=Marshall|first2=Wayne|last3=Hernandez|first3=Deborah Pacini|date=2009-04-24|publisher=Duke University Press|isbn=978-0-8223-9232-3|language=en}}</ref> with Ivy Queen releasing singles ("[[Te He Querido, Te He Llorado]]" and "La Mala") featuring bachata's signature guitar sound, slower, romantic rhythms and emotive singing style.<ref name="ReggaetonBook" /> Daddy Yankee's "[[Lo Que Paso, Paso]]" and Don Omar's "Dile" are also bachata-influenced. In 2005 producers began to remix existing reggaeton music with bachata, marketing it as ''[[bachaton]]'': "bachata, Puerto Rican style".<ref name="ReggaetonBook" />

=== 2006–2017: Topping the charts ===
In May 2006, Don Omar's ''[[King of Kings (Don Omar album)|King of Kings]]'' was the highest-ranking reggaeton LP to date on the U.S. charts, debuting atop the [[Top Latin Albums]] chart and peaking at number seven on the [[Billboard 200|''Billboard'' 200]] chart. Omar's single, "Angelito", topped the ''[[Billboard charts|Billboard]]'' Latin Rhythm Radio Chart.<ref name="LR">{{cite web|url=http://www.latinrapper.com/reggaeton.html|title=Reggaeton Music News - Lyrics & Noticias de Musica Urbana|website=Latinrapper.com|access-date=10 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160827070239/http://www.latinrapper.com/reggaeton.html|archive-date=27 August 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> He broke [[Britney Spears]]' in-store-appearance sales record at Downtown Disney's Virgin music store.

That same year, [[Shakira]]'s "[[Hips Don't Lie]]", featuring [[Wyclef Jean]] of the [[Fugees]], became "the most popular song in the genre's history", with "the dembow beat in the background, the trumpet sample of Jerry Rivera's "Amores como el nuestro" in the chorus, the obvious salsa influence."<ref>[https://www.npr.org/2018/07/30/627398980/turning-the-tables-the-200-greatest-songs-by-21st-century-women-part-7 "Turning the Tables: The 200 Greatest Songs by 21st Century Women", Part 7], NPR, July 30, 2018, "Song 67" by Maria Sherman.</ref>

In June 2007, Daddy Yankee's ''[[El Cartel III: The Big Boss]]'' set a first-week sales record for a reggaeton album, with 88,000 copies sold.<ref>{{Cite magazine|last1=Hasty|first1=Katie|date=2007-06-13|title=T-Pain Soars To No. 1 Ahead Of Rihanna, McCartney|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/t-pain-soars-to-no-1-ahead-of-rihanna-mccartney-1051559/|access-date=2023-01-01|magazine=Billboard|language=en-US}}</ref> It topped the Top Latin Albums and Top Rap Albums charts, the first reggaeton album to do so on the latter. The album peaked at number nine on the ''Billboard'' 200, the second-highest reggaeton album on the mainstream chart.<ref name="Artist Chart History – Daddy Yankee">[{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=daddy yankee|chart=all}} Artist Chart History – Daddy Yankee] – Billboard.com – Accessed 10 November 2008</ref>

[[File:Wisin & Yandel.jpg|thumb|right|250px|alt=Wisin & Yandel, performing in front of a large sign with their names|Wisin & Yandel]]

The third-highest-ranking reggaeton album was [[Wisin & Yandel]]'s ''[[Wisin vs. Yandel: Los Extraterrestres]]'', which debuted at number 14 on the ''Billboard'' 200 and number one on the Top Latin Albums chart later in 2007.<ref name="auto">[{{BillboardURLbyName|artist=wisin & yandel|chart=all}} Billboard.com – Artist Chart History – Wisin & Yandel]</ref> In 2008 Daddy Yankee soundtrack to his film, ''[[Talento de Barrio (soundtrack)|Talento de Barrio]]'', debuted at number 13 on the ''Billboard'' 200 chart. It peaked at number one on the Top Latin Albums chart, number three on ''Billboard's'' [[Top Soundtracks]] and number six on the Top Rap Albums chart.<ref name="Artist Chart History – Daddy Yankee" /> In 2009, Wisin & Yandel's ''[[La Revolución]]'' debuted at number seven on the ''Billboard'' 200, number one on the [[Top Latin Albums]] and number three on the Top Rap Albums charts.

By 2008, Reggaeton was the "biggest-selling genre of Latin music" and one of its artists, Tego Calderon, was using it to describe and encourage [[black pride]].<ref name="NPR2008">{{cite web |title=Tego Calderon: Reggaeton On Black Pride |website=NPR.org |date=September 3, 2008 |url=https://www.npr.org/2008/09/03/94243997/tego-calderon-reggaeton-on-black-pride |access-date=May 9, 2022|quote=I started to do music from a black beat, so that blacks can feel proud being black.}}</ref>

=== Since 2017: "Despacito" effect ===
[[File:J Balvin - Ay Vamos - Festival de Viña del Mar 2017 (4).jpg|thumb|[[J Balvin]] in 2017]]

In 2017, the music video for "[[Despacito]]" by [[Luis Fonsi]] featuring [[Daddy Yankee]] reached one billion views in less than three months. From January 2018 to November 2020, the music video was the most viewed YouTube video of all-time. With its 3.3 million certified sales plus track-equivalent streams, "Despacito" became one of the [[List of best-selling Latin singles in the United States|best-selling Latin singles in the United States]]. The success of the song and its remix version led Daddy Yankee to become the most listened-to artist worldwide on the streaming service [[Spotify]] on 9 July 2017, being the first Latin artist to do so.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/daddy-yankee-is-1-on-spotify-1st-latin-artist-to-do-so/2017/07/09/42a78bb2-64da-11e7-94ab-5b1f0ff459df_story.html|title=Daddy Yankee is #1 on Spotify; 1st Latin artist to do so|newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]|last=Ratner-Arias|first=Sigal|date=9 July 2017|access-date=9 July 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170709221642/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/daddy-yankee-is-1-on-spotify-1st-latin-artist-to-do-so/2017/07/09/42a78bb2-64da-11e7-94ab-5b1f0ff459df_story.html|archive-date=9 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hoylosangeles.com/espectaculos/musica/hoyla-mus-hace-historia-daddy-yankee-y-es-ahora-oficialmente-el-mas-escuchado-del-mundo-en-spotify-20170709-story.html|title=Hace historia Daddy Yankee y es ahora oficialmente el primer latino número uno del mundo en Spotify |publisher=hoylosangeles.com |last=Calle |first=Tommy |language=es |date=9 July 2017 |access-date=10 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170713065539/http://www.hoylosangeles.com/espectaculos/musica/hoyla-mus-hace-historia-daddy-yankee-y-es-ahora-oficialmente-el-mas-escuchado-del-mundo-en-spotify-20170709-story.html|archive-date=13 July 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.vibe.com/2017/07/daddy-yankee-number-1-spotify/|title=Daddy Yankee Breaks Barriers Becoming Top Streamed Artist On Spotify|work=[[Vibe (magazine)|Vibe]]|last=Pickens|first=Ashley|date=10 July 2017|access-date=10 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170711032033/http://www.vibe.com/2017/07/daddy-yankee-number-1-spotify/|archive-date=11 July 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> He later became the fifth most listened-to male artist and the sixth overall of 2017 on Spotify.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wmagazine.com/story/spotify-most-streamed-artists-2017|title=Rihanna and Ed Sheeran Were the Most-Streamed Artists on Spotify in 2017|work=[[W (magazine)|W]]|last=Wang|first=Evelyn|date=5 December 2017|access-date=7 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171205211404/https://www.wmagazine.com/story/spotify-most-streamed-artists-2017|archive-date=5 December 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> In June 2017, "Despacito" was cited by ''Billboard''{{'}}s Leila Cobo as the song that renewed interest in the [[Latin music (genre)|Latin music]] market from recording labels in the United States.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/magazine-feature/7832991/despacito-success-record-labels-looking-latin|title=The Success of 'Despacito' Has Labels Looking to Latin|magazine=Billboard|last=Cobo|first=Leila|date=15 June 2017|access-date=21 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170619025308/http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/magazine-feature/7832991/despacito-success-record-labels-looking-latin|archive-date=19 June 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Julyssa Lopez of ''The Washington Post'' stated that the successes of "Despacito" and J Balvin's "[[Mi Gente (J Balvin and Willy William song)|Mi Gente]]" is "the beginning of a new Latin crossover era."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/whats-next-for-latin-music-after-the-summer-of-despacito/2017/08/24/703ba7de-8816-11e7-961d-2f373b3977ee_story.html|title=What's next for Latin music after the summer of 'Despacito'?|newspaper=The Washington Post|last=Lopez|first=Julyssa|date=24 August 2017|access-date=24 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170826194217/https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/whats-next-for-latin-music-after-the-summer-of-despacito/2017/08/24/703ba7de-8816-11e7-961d-2f373b3977ee_story.html|archive-date=26 August 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Stephanie Ho of [[Genius (website)|Genius]] website wrote that "the successes of 'Despacito' and 'Mi Gente' could point to the beginning of a successful wave for Spanish-language music in the US."<ref name="genius ho">{{cite news|url=https://genius.com/a/no-translation-necessary-beyond-despacito-the-latin-music-scene-is-booming|title=No Translation Necessary: Beyond "Despacito," The Latin Music Scene Is Booming|publisher=[[Genius (website)|Genius]]|last=Ho|first=Stephanie|date=12 September 2017|access-date=19 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170920093320/https://genius.com/a/no-translation-necessary-beyond-despacito-the-latin-music-scene-is-booming|archive-date=20 September 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Ho also stated that "as 'Despacito' proves, fans don't need to understand the language in order to enjoy the music", referring to the worldwide success of the song, including various non-Spanish-speaking countries.<ref name="genius ho"/>

==== "Te Boté" and the minimalist dembow ====
In April 2018, "Te Boté" was released by Nio Garcia, Casper Magico, [[Darell (rapper)|Darell]], [[Ozuna]], [[Bad Bunny]] and [[Nicky Jam]]. It reached number one on the ''Billboard'' Hot Latin Songs chart. It currently has over 1.8 billion views on YouTube.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-latin/te-bote-remix-youtube-imitators-783492/|title='Te Boté' Was a Massive Hit — Now It's Spawned Imitators|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|last=Leight|first=Elias|date=January 26, 2019|access-date=April 8, 2019}}</ref> Many artists began to mark strong commercial trends in a market dominated by mixing Latin trap and reggaeton followed by a new minimalist dembow rhythm. For example, songs such as "Adictiva" by Daddy Yankee and Anuel AA, "Asesina" by Brytiago and Darell, "Cuando Te Besé" by Becky G and Paulo Londra, "No Te Veo" by Casper Magico and many other songs have been made in this style.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://heabbi.com/las-4-mejores-canciones-influenciadas-por-te-bote|title=Las 4 mejores canciones influenciadas por "Te Boté"|work=Heabbi|last=Leight|first=Elias|date=January 8, 2019|access-date=2 November 2020|archive-date=4 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404031725/https://heabbi.com/las-4-mejores-canciones-influenciadas-por-te-bote|url-status=dead}}</ref>
<ref>{{cite web|last1=Barron |first1=Alexis |url=https://wearemitu.com/entertainment/the-evolution-of-reggaeton-in-the-2010s-from-despacito-to-te-bote-this-is-how-latinx-music-turned-into-a-global-phenomenon/|title=The Evolution of Reggaeton From Despacito to Te Bote|work=[[Mitu]] |date=10 December 2019 }}</ref>

== {{Anchor|Musical characteristics}}Characteristics ==

=== Rhythm ===
The [[dembow]] [[riddim]] was created by Jamaican [[dancehall]] [[record producer|producers]] during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Dembow consists of a kick drum, kickdown drum, palito, snare drum, timbal, timballroll and (sometimes) a high-hat cymbal. Dembow's percussion pattern was influenced by dancehall and other [[Caribbean|West Indian]] music ([[soca music|soca]], [[calypso music|calypso]] and [[cadence-lypso|cadence]]); this gives dembow a pan-Caribbean flavor. [[Steely & Clevie]], creators of the Poco Man Jam riddim, are usually credited with the creation of dembow.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://wayneandwax.com/pdfs/dembow-paper-proofs.pdf|title=Marshall, "Dem Bow, Dembow, Dembo: Translation and Transnation in Reggaeton." Lied und populäre Kultur / Song and Popular Culture: Jahrbuch des Deutschen Volksliedarchivs 53 (2008): 131-51.|website=Wayneandwax.com|access-date=13 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180820124641/http://wayneandwax.com/pdfs/dembow-paper-proofs.pdf|archive-date=20 August 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> At its heart is the 3+3+2 ([[tresillo (rhythm)|tresillo]]) rhythm, complemented by a bass drum in 4/4 time.<ref>''Reggaeton''. Rivera, Raquel Z., Wayne Marshall, and Deborah Pacini Hernandez, eds. Durham NC: Duke University Press, 2009 and [http://wayneandwax.com/pdfs/dembow-paper-proofs.pdf Marshall, Dem Bow, Dembow, Dembo: Translation and Transnation in Reggaeton] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101129133322/http://wayneandwax.com/pdfs/dembow-paper-proofs.pdf |date=29 November 2010 }}</ref>
{{listen
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{{listen
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The riddim was first highlighted by [[Shabba Ranks]] in "[[Dem Bow]]", from his 1991 album ''[[Just Reality]]''. To this day, elements of the song's accompaniment track are found in over 80% of all reggaeton productions.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Marshall |first1=Wayne |title=Dem Bow, Dembow, Dembo: Translation and Transnation in Reggaeton |journal=Lied und Populäre Kultur / Song and Popular Culture |date=2008 |volume=53 |pages=131–151 |jstor=20685604 }}</ref> During the mid-1980s, dancehall music was revolutionized by the electronic keyboard and drum machine; subsequently, many dancehall producers used them to create different dancehall riddims. Dembow's role in reggaeton is a basic building block, a skeletal sketch in percussion.

In Reggaeton 'dembow' also incorporates identical Jamaican riddims such as Bam Bam, Hot This Year, Poco Man Jam, Fever Pitch, Red Alert, Trailer Reloaded and Big Up riddims, and several samples are often used. Some reggaeton hits incorporate a lighter, electrified version of the riddim. Examples are "[[Pa' Que la Pases Bien]]" and "{{Lang|es|[[Quiero Bailar (song)|Quiero Bailar]]|italic=no}}", which uses the Liquid riddim.<ref>Marshall, Wayne. "The Rise and Fall of Reggaeton: From Daddy Yankee to Tego Calderón and Beyond" in Jiménez Román, Miriam, and Juan Flores, eds. ''The Afro-Latin@ reader: history and culture in the United States''. Durham NC: Duke University Press, 2010, p. 401.</ref>
<!-- Deleted file: {{multi-listen start|Audio sample of:}}
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Since 2018 a new variation of the Dembow rhythm has emerged; Starting with [[Te Bote]], a sharper minimalist Dembow has become a stable of Reggaeton production which has allowed for more syncopated rhythmic experiments.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-latin-lists/20-best-latin-singles-of-2018-772998/te-bote-remix-song-nio-garcia-casper-magico-773020|title='20 Best Latin Singles of 2018'|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|date=28 December 2018 }}</ref>
<ref>{{cite web|url=https://trace.tennessee.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=6871&context=utk_gradthes|title='Puerto Rican Environment, Reggaeton and Boricuaness'|work=[[University of Tennessee]]}}</ref>

=== Lyrics and themes ===
Reggaeton lyrical structure resembles that of [[Hip hop music|hip hop]]. Although most reggaeton artists recite their lyrics [[rapping]] rather than [[singing]], many alternate rapping and singing. Reggaeton uses traditional verse-chorus-bridge hip hop structure. Like hip hop, reggaeton songs have a [[hook (music)|hook]] which is repeated throughout the song. [[Latino (demonym)|Latino]] ethnic identity is a common musical, lyrical and visual theme.

Unlike hip-hop CDs, reggaeton discs generally do not have [[Parental Advisory|parental advisories]]. An exception is Daddy Yankee's ''[[Barrio Fino en Directo]]'' (''Barrio Fino Live''), whose live material (and with [[Snoop Dogg]] in "[[Gangsta Zone]]") were labeled explicit. Snoop Dogg and Daddy Yankee filmed the video for "Gangsta Zone" in Torres Sabana housing projects in Carolina, Puerto Rico on January 27, 2006. Shot in [[grayscale]],<ref>{{cite web | last=Watkins | first=Grouchy Greg | title=Snoop Shoots Video With Daddy Yankee In Puerto Rico | website=AllHipHop | date=January 28, 2006 | url=https://allhiphop.com/news/snoop-shoots-video-with-daddy-yankee-in-puerto-rico/ | access-date=July 23, 2022 | archive-date=July 23, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220723035955/https://allhiphop.com/news/snoop-shoots-video-with-daddy-yankee-in-puerto-rico/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Daddy Yankee said the video depicts "the real way we live on the island".<ref name="MTV">{{cite web |last1=Tecson |first1=Brandee J. |title=Daddy Yankee Sticks To His Roots, Won't Lean On Snoop |url=https://www.mtv.com/news/3ius7p/daddy-yankee-sticks-to-his-roots-wont-lean-on-snoop |website=mtv |access-date=23 July 2022 |archive-date=23 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220723035954/https://www.mtv.com/news/3ius7p/daddy-yankee-sticks-to-his-roots-wont-lean-on-snoop |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Artists such as [[Alexis & Fido]] circumvent radio and television censorship by sexual innuendo and lyrics with [[double meaning]]s. Some songs have raised concerns about their depiction of women.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gobcan.es/icmujer/011obs_2005.htm|title=ICM: Instituto Canario de la Mujer|date=17 January 2007|access-date=10 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070117001651/http://www.gobcan.es/icmujer/011obs_2005.htm|archive-date=17 January 2007}}</ref> Although reggaeton began as a mostly-male genre, the number of women artists has been a slowly increasing and include the "[[Honorific nicknames in popular music|Queen of Reggaeton]]", [[Ivy Queen]],<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eRMEAAAAMBAJ&q=Ivy+Queen+Quiero+Bailar&pg=PA47|title=Reggaetón Royalty – Ivy Queen Earns Her Crown As A Very Male Subgenre's Only Female Star|last=Ben-Yehuda|first=Ayala|magazine=[[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]]|volume=119|issue=13|issn=0006-2510|date=31 March 2007|access-date=29 November 2012}}</ref> [[Mey Vidal]], [[K-Narias]], [[Adassa]], [[La Sista]] and [[Glory (singer)|Glory]].

== Dance ==
{{Main|Sandungueo}}

''Sandungueo'', or ''perreo'', is a dance associated with reggaeton which emerged during the early 1990s in Puerto Rico. It focuses on [[grinding (dance)|grinding]], with one partner facing the back of the other (usually male behind female).<ref>{{cite web |title=Reggaeton Nation |date=19 December 2007 |website=Upsidedownworld.com |url=http://upsidedownworld.org/main/caribbean-archives-45/1049-reggaeton-nation |access-date=10 September 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160221013845/http://upsidedownworld.org/main/caribbean-archives-45/1049-reggaeton-nation |archive-date=21 February 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> Another way of describing this dance is "back-to-front", where the woman presses her rear into the pelvis of her partner to create sexual stimulation. Since traditional couple dancing is face-to-face (such as square dancing and the waltz), reggaeton dancing initially shocked observers with its sensuality but was featured in several music videos.<ref>{{Cite encyclopedia |last=Fairley |first=Jan |date=2009 |title=How To Make Love With Your Clothes On: Dancing Regeton, Gender, and Sexuality in Cuba |editor1-last=Rivera |editor1-first=Raquel Z. |editor2-last=Marshall |editor2-first=Wayne |editor3-last=Hernandez |editor3-first=Deborah Pacini |encyclopedia=Reggaeton |pages=280–294 |publisher=Duke University Press |doi=10.1215/9780822392323-014|s2cid=192110981 }}</ref> It is also known as [[daggering]], [[Grinding (dance)|grinding]] or juking in the English-speaking areas of the U.S.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Hidalgo |first=Andrea |website=Reggaetonline.net |title=Perreo causes Controversy for Reggaeton |date=2 June 2005 |url=http://www.reggaetonline.net/reggaeton-dancing-060205_news |access-date=30 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219014042/http://www.reggaetonline.net/reggaeton-dancing-060205_news |archive-date=19 December 2013 |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Popularity ==
=== Latin America ===
Over the past decade,{{when|date=November 2022}} reggaeton has received mainstream recognition in the Spanish-speaking Caribbean, where the genre originated from, including [[Puerto Rico]], [[Cuba]], [[Panama]], the [[Dominican Republic]], [[Colombia]] and [[Venezuela]], where it is now regarded as one of the most popular music genres. Reggaeton has also seen increased popularity in the wider Latin America region, including in [[Mexico]], [[Honduras]], [[Guatemala]], [[Nicaragua]], [[Costa Rica]], [[El Salvador]], [[Argentina]], [[Chile]], [[Uruguay]], [[Ecuador]] and [[Peru]].

In Cuba, reggaeton came to incorporate elements of traditional [[Cuban music]], leading to the hybrid [[Cubaton]]. Two bands credited with popularizing Cubaton are [[Máxima Alerta]] (founded in 1999) and [[Cubanito 20.02]]. The former is notable for fusing Cubaton with other genres, such as [[son Cubano]], [[Conga (music)|conga]], [[cumbia]], [[salsa music|salsa]], [[merengue music|merengue]], and [[Cuban rumba]], as well as styles and forms such as [[rap]] and [[ballads]], whereas the latter's music is influenced more by Jamaican music.<ref>Sullivan, Al (16 October 2016). [http://hudsonreporter.com/view/full_story/27291234/article-Trash-truck-worker-competes-for-a-Latin-Grammy-Local-Cuban-exile-fulfills-dream-as-musician-?instance=union_city "Trash truck worker competes for a Latin Grammy: Local Cuban exile fulfills dream as musician"] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180322020639/http://hudsonreporter.com/view/full_story/27291234/article-Trash-truck-worker-competes-for-a-Latin-Grammy-Local-Cuban-exile-fulfills-dream-as-musician-?instance=union_city |url-status=dead|date=22 March 2018 }}. ''[[The Hudson Reporter]]''.</ref><ref>van Boeckel, Rik (19 September 2006). [http://laritmo.com/mag/index.php3?id=1771 "Reggaeton a lo Cubano: From Cuba to the Rest of the World"] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180322081712/http://laritmo.com/mag/index.php3?id=1771 |url-status=dead|date=22 March 2018 }}. 'LA'Ritmo.com: Latin American Rhythm Magazine. Retrieved 21 March 2018.</ref> The government of Cuba imposed restrictions on reggaeton in public places in 2012. In March 2019, the government went a step further; they banned the "aggressive, sexually explicit and obscene messages of reggaeton" from radio and television, as well as performances by street musicians.<ref>Bellaco, Daniel (11 March 2019). [https://digitalsevilla.com/2019/03/11/cuba-prohibe-el-reggaeton-por-sexista-machista-y-violento/ "Cuba prohíbe el reggaeton por sexista, machista y violento"] {{Webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330055627/https://digitalsevilla.com/2019/03/11/cuba-prohibe-el-reggaeton-por-sexista-machista-y-violento/ |url-status=dead|date=30 March 2019 }}. Digital Sevilla.</ref>

The first name of reggaeton in [[Brazil]] was the Señores Cafetões group, who became known in 2007 with the track "Piriguete" - which at the time was mistaken by Brazilians for [[hip hop]] and [[funk carioca|Brazilian funk]] because reggaeton was still a genre almost unknown in the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://g1.globo.com/musica/noticia/reggaeton-como-a-batida-lenta-e-a-mistura-com-funk-e-sertanejo-fizeram-do-genero-um-fenomeno.ghtml|title=Reggaeton: como a batida certa e a mistura com funk e sertanejo fizeram do gênero um fenômeno|website=G1.globo.com|date=6 April 2017 |access-date=31 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170527015642/http://g1.globo.com/musica/noticia/reggaeton-como-a-batida-lenta-e-a-mistura-com-funk-e-sertanejo-fizeram-do-genero-um-fenomeno.ghtml|archive-date=27 May 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> In Brazil, this musical genre only reached a reasonable popularity around the middle of the decade of 2010. The first great success of the genre in the country was the song "Yes or no" by [[Anitta (singer)|Anitta]] with [[Maluma (singer)|Maluma]]. One of the explanations for reggaeton has not reached the same level of popularity that exists in other Latin American countries is due to the fact that Brazil is a Portuguese-speaking country, which has historically led it to become more isolationist than other Latin American countries in the musical scene. The musical rhythm only became popular in the country when it reached other markets, like the American.{{clarify|date=November 2022}} The genre is now overcoming the obstacle of language. Some of the biggest names in the Brazilian music market have partnered with artists from other Latin American countries and explored the rhythm.

=== United States ===
[[File:Fuego Dance Crew at California Dance Festival 2025 01.png|thumb|Hip hop/Reggaeton performance at the California Dance Festival, 2025]]
The New York–based rapper [[N.O.R.E.]], also known as Noreaga, produced [[Nina Sky]]'s 2004 hit "[[Oye Mi Canto]]", which featured [[Tego Calderón]] and Daddy Yankee, and reggaeton became popular in the U.S.<ref name="Marshall, Wayne 2006">Marshall, Wayne. "The Rise of Reggaeton". [Boston Phoenix], 19 January 2006.</ref> Daddy Yankee then caught the attention of many hip-hop artists with his song "[[Gasolina]]",<ref name="Marshall, Wayne 2006" /> and that year [[XM Radio]] introduced its reggaeton channel, [[Fuego (XM)]]. Although XM Radio removed the channel in December 2007 from home and car receivers, it can still be streamed from the XM Satellite Radio website. Reggaeton is the foundation of a Latin-American commercial-radio term, [[hurban]],<ref name="Marshall, Wayne 2006" /> a combination of "Hispanic" and "urban" used to evoke the musical influences of hip hop and Latin American music. Reggaeton, which evolved from dancehall and reggae, and with influences from hip hop has helped Latin-Americans contribute to urban American culture and keep many aspects of their Hispanic heritage. The music relates to American socioeconomic issues, including gender and race, in common with hip hop.<ref name="Marshall, Wayne 2006" />

=== Europe ===
As in Latin America, reggaeton is a fairly widespread genre within [[Spain]]. For years it has topped the list as the most listened to musical genre in the Iberian country. Reggaeton arrived in Spain due to the large immigration flows of the 2000s and today it is a genre that is quite integrated into Spanish society, which also has its own exponents of the genre such as [[Enrique Iglesias]], [[Rosalía]], [[Ana Mena]], [[Lola Índigo]] and [[Juan Magán]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Zahumenszky |first1=Carlos |title=El Reggaeton es el género más escuchado en España (aunque todo el mundo diga que lo odia) |url=https://es.gizmodo.com/el-reggaeton-es-el-genero-mas-escuchado-en-espana-aunq-1754300784 |website=Gizmodo |date=21 January 2016 |access-date=18 January 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=¿Dónde empezó el reguetón? ¿Cómo llegó a España?: de las calles a la radio |url=https://www.megastar.fm/artistas/noticias/donde-empezo-regueton-como-llego-espana-las-calles-radio-20230915_2874251 |website=MegaStarFM |date=15 September 2023 |access-date=18 January 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Montero |first1=Natalia |title=El 'reggaeton' se corona: estas son las canciones más escuchadas en España este 2023 |url=https://www.epe.es/es/ocio/20231129/canciones-escuchadas-espana-2023-reggaeton-dv-95255016 |website=el Periodico de España |date=29 November 2023 |access-date=18 January 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Es |first1=Eleconomista |title=España es país de reggaeton: es el género que más se escucha en Spotify |url=https://www.eleconomista.es/tecnologia/noticias/7295129/01/16/Espana-es-pais-de-reggaeton-es-el-genero-que-mas-se-escucha-en-Spotify.html |website=elEconomista |date=21 January 2016 |access-date=18 January 2024}}</ref>
In the rest of [[Europe]], Reggaeton is less popular in Europe than in Latin America, however it attracts Latin American immigrants.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.reggaeton.co.uk/?option=com_content&task=view&id=111&Itemid=37|title=Home - Reggaeton.co.uk|website=Reggaeton.co.uk|access-date=13 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190213183816/http://www.reggaeton.co.uk/?option=com_content&task=view&id=111&Itemid=37|archive-date=13 February 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> A Spanish media custom, ''"La Canción del Verano"'' ("The Song of the Summer"), in which one or two songs define the season's mood, was the basis of the popularity of reggaeton songs such as "Baila Morena" by [[Héctor & Tito]] and [[Daddy Yankee]]'s "Gasolina" in 2005.

=== Asia ===
In the [[Philippines]], reggaeton artists primarily use the [[Filipino language]] instead of [[Spanish language|Spanish]] or [[English language|English]]. One example of a popular local reggaeton act is [[Zamboangueño people|Zamboangueño]] duo Dos Fuertes, who had a dance hit in 2007 with "Tarat Tat", and who primarily uses the [[Chavacano|Chavacano language]] in their songs.

In 2020, Malaysian rapper [[Namewee]] released the single and music video "China Reggaeton" featuring [[Anthony Wong (Hong Kong actor)|Anthony Wong]]. It is the first time reggaeton was sung in the Chinese languages of Mandarin and Hakka and accompanied by traditional Chinese instruments like the [[erhu]], [[pipa]] and [[guzheng]], creating a fusion of reggaeton and traditional Chinese musical styles.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hk01.com/眾樂迷/426301/黃明志邀黃秋生合唱-中國痛-帶有華人色彩的-despacito|title=黃明志邀黃秋生合唱 《中國痛》 - 帶有華人色彩的《Despacito》|date=24 January 2020|website=香港01}}</ref>

== LGBTQ influence ==
Reggaeton has traditionally been male dominated and [[heteronormative]], known to "reinforce the most unpleasant aspects of [[machismo]]".<ref>Díez-Gutiérrez, Palomo-Cermeño, E., & Mallo-Rodríguez, B. (2023). Education and the reggaetón genre: does reggaetón socialize in traditional masculine stereotypes? Music Education Research, 25(2), 136–146. https://doi.org/10.1080/14613808.2023.2193209</ref> The genre began to accept queer and trans artists into the mainstream after [[Bad Bunny]] publicly voiced his allyship to the queer community through challenging [[gender norms]] and homophobic notions.<ref>Díaz Fernández S. (2021). Subversión, postfeminismo y masculinidad en la música de Bad Bunny. Investigaciones Feministas, 12(2), 663-676. https://doi.org/10.5209/infe.74211</ref> New generation artists like [[Villano Antillano]], [[Young Miko]], La Cruz and others have been challenging the stereotypes and values traditionally associated with the genre.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Herrera |first=Isabelia |date=2023 |title=In Puerto Rico, Queer Femmes Are Dreaming Up Rap and Reggaeton's Future |url=https://pitchfork.com/features/article/in-puerto-rico-queer-femmes-are-dreaming-up-rap-and-reggaetons-future/ |website=Pitchfork.com}}</ref>

In 2022 Villano Antillano, a trans-femme rap/reggaeton artist from Puerto Rico, broke the record as "the first transwoman to hit number 50 on Spotify" with [[Villano Antillano: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 51]] in collaboration with producer [[Bizarrap]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Arellano |first=Susanne Ramírez de |date=2023 |title=Villano Antillano, First Transwoman in Spotify's Top 50 Talks Transition: 'I Always Knew It Would Antagonize' |url=https://wearemitu.com/fierce/villano-antillano-transition/ |access-date=2023-10-02 |website=we are Mitú. 100% American & Latino}}</ref> She began her music career as a male-presenting person under the artist name "Villano Antillano" and later decided to "step into [her] femininity" and transition.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Eccleston |first=Katelina |date=2022 |title=Villano Antillano Is Making History: 'We Have to Be Proud and Stand Tall' |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/villano-antillano-1388154/ |access-date=2023-10-06 |magazine=Rolling Stone |language=en-US}}</ref> She has since kept her original artist name, but identifies as non-binary and is referred to as her legal name "Villana".<ref>{{Cite web |last=VoxPopuli |first=Redacción |date=2022 |title=La historia de Villano Antillano, la primera artista no binaria en sacar una canción con Bizarrap |url=https://www.voxpopuli.net.ar/show/la-historia-de-villano-antillano-la-primera-artista-no-binaria-en-sacar-una-cancion-con-bizarrap/ |access-date=2023-10-10 |website=www.voxpopuli.net.ar |language=es}}</ref> Villana has spoken on her experience confronting the barriers for queer and trans people in the reggaeton and urban industry; she says, "all of these cis male artists, who are very close, aren't going to collaborate with a trans woman. There are very few. We can count them on one hand."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lopez |first=Quispe |date=2023 |title=Villano Antillano Is the Breakout Rebel of Latin Rap |url=https://www.them.us/story/villano-antillano-la-sustancia-x-now-awards-2023#:~:text=Often%20referred%20to%20as%20the,it%20as%20a%20collective%20victory. |website=Them.us}}</ref>

In 2023 Young Miko, a queer trap and reggaeton artist from Puerto Rico, charted in the Billboard Hot 100 with her single "Classy 101". In the same year, she was featured on Spanish rapper Bad Gyal's "Chulo Pt2", along with [[Tokischa]], a queer [[Dembow]] singer; as of October 2023, the song has over 100 million views on YouTube.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Villa |first=Lucas |date=2023 |title=WATCH: Tokischa & Young Miko Hop on Bad Gyal's 'Chulo Pt. 2' Remix |url=https://remezcla.com/music/watch-tokischa-young-miko-hop-on-bad-gyals-chulo-pt-2-remix/ |access-date=2023-10-06 |website=Remezcla |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=Bad Gyal, Young Miko, Tokischa - Chulo pt.2 - (Official Video) | date=21 June 2023 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnbpWZNAT_Y |access-date=2023-10-06 |language=en}}</ref> In the start of her career, Young Miko grew a local following in Puerto Rico releasing music independently on [[SoundCloud]], but gained national visibility after Bad Bunny invited her on stage during his [[Un Verano Sin Ti]] tour.<ref>{{cite web |last=Raygoza |first=Isabela |date=2023 |title=Cómo Young Miko pasó de SoundCloud a ser una artista en ascenso en el Billboard Hot 100 |url=https://www.billboard.com/espanol/musica/young-miko-soundcloud-billboard-hot-100-artista-entrevista-1235364340/ |website=Billboard.com}}</ref>

In June 2023, reggaeton artist, La Cruz, from Venezuela released a music video for his single "TE CONOCI BAILANDO", which featured several homoerotic images including several shirtless men, locker room interactions and guys twerking in front of urinals.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sim |first=Bernardo |date=2023 |title=Meet La Cruz, the Gay Latino Stud Who's Making Queer Reggaeton Music |url=https://www.out.com/gay-music/la-cruz-gay-reggaeton |access-date=2023-10-02 |website=www.out.com |language=en}}</ref> He challenged what is expected from traditional reggaeton music visuals by having gay men be the object of desire rather than women.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cepeda |first=Eduardo |date=2018 |title=Women Have Carried Reggaeton Since the Beginning. Now They're Its Future |url=https://remezcla.com/features/music/tu-pum-pum-3/ |access-date=2023-10-02 |website=Remezcla |language=en-US}}</ref> The music video has amounted 2 million views on YouTube as of October 2023.<ref>{{Citation |title=TE CONOCÍ BAILANDO - La Cruz (Official Video) | date=11 May 2023 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KbCRYPdWK3o |access-date=2023-10-06 |language=en}}</ref>

== Criticism ==
Despite the popularity of the genre, reggaeton has also attracted criticism due to its constant references to sexual and violent themes, similar to those of hip-hop. Mexican singer-songwriter [[Aleks Syntek]] made a public post on social media complaining that such music was played at [[Mexico City International Airport|Mexico City's airport]] in the morning with children present.<ref>{{Citation|last=Yo Informativo|title=Aleks Syntek enojado arremete contra el reggaeton|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrPzSoTqVBI&t=70s&app=desktop| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180523122708/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CrPzSoTqVBI| archive-date=2018-05-23|access-date=7 February 2019}}</ref> By 2019, other singers who expressed dismay over the genre included [[vallenato]] singer [[Carlos Vives]] and [[Héroes del Silencio|Heroes Del Silencio]] singer [[Enrique Bunbury]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://erizos.mx/musica/famosos-que-no-soportan-el-reggaeton-carlos-vives-alex-syntek/|title=Estos tíos también odian el reggaetón... perdón, estos artistas|last=Soria|first=César García|date=4 June 2018|website=Erizos.mx|language=es-ES|access-date=7 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190209124044/https://erizos.mx/musica/famosos-que-no-soportan-el-reggaeton-carlos-vives-alex-syntek/|archive-date=9 February 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> That same year, some activists stated that reggaeton music gives way to misogynistic and sadistic messages.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thegazelle.org/issue/54/opinion/music-and-distinction-sebastian-rojas-cabal|title=Reggaeton Is Not The Problem, Misogyny Is|website=The Gazelle|access-date=7 February 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190209124400/https://www.thegazelle.org/issue/54/opinion/music-and-distinction-sebastian-rojas-cabal|archive-date=9 February 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

Some reggaeton singers have decided to counteract such accusations. One notable example is singer [[Flex (singer)|Flex]], who in 2009 committed himself to singing songs with romance messages, a subgenre he dubbed "romantic style".<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-flex-idUSTRE5092CC20090110 |title=Latin singer Flex leads 'Romantic' evolution |date=10 January 2009 |publisher=[[Reuters]] |access-date=7 February 2019 |language=en |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190209123919/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-flex-idUSTRE5092CC20090110 |archive-date=9 February 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{Portal|Music}}
* [[List of reggaeton musicians]]
* [[Reggae en Español]]
* [[Panamanian reggaetón]]
* [[Dancehall]]
* [[Calypso music|Calypso]]
* [[Soca music|Soca]]
* [[Latino poetry]]
* [[Nuyorican movement|Nuyorican]]
* [[Kwaito]]
{{Clear}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Commons category-inline}}
* {{Wiktionary-inline}}

{{Reggae}}
{{Reggaeton}}
{{Hiphop}}
{{Amerisalsa}}
{{Music in spanish}}

[[Category:Reggaeton| ]]
[[Category:Reggae genres]]
[[Category:Fusion music genres]]
[[Category:Puerto Rican styles of music]]
[[Category:Panamanian styles of music]]
[[Category:Urbano music genres]]
[[Category:2000s in Latin music]]
[[Category:2010s in Latin music]]
[[Category:2020s in Latin music]]
[[Category:Articles containing video clips]]