Learn i lil bit more about reggaeton history.
Reggaeton History
Origin of Reggaeton
There are two existing versions of reggaeton origin: some say that it originated in Panama, others argue that this musical direction comes from Puerto Rico. That is actually where the majority of reggaeton singers come from. Reggaeton actually developed from Jamaican Reggae, but was certainly influenced by various other musical directions, like for example, North American Hip-Hop and Puerto Rican rhythms.
Puerto Rico
Panama
But let's first take a look at the Spanish-speaking rap and reggae that have made an essential contribution to the development of reggaeton.
Spanish Reggae and Rap: origins and development
Reggae developed in the 70's in Jamaica and has gone through numerous changes since then, having been combined with other sounds and rhythms. Panama was the first place where Reggae was performed (by Chicho Man) in Spanish, while the first Spanish rap (performed by Vico C) appeared in Puerto Rico. It all happened in 1985, and in the years to come this movement arrived in other Latin American countries as well as in the United States.
During this peak of Spanish-speaking music movement, Vico C managed to make a breakthrough with his Spanish rap and "merengue house" (a mixture of rap and meregue).
In the 90's, one began talking about typical Spanish reggae. In Puerto Rico one began listening not only to rap but also to Jamaican reggae, which had a great success there.
The first reggae songs, heard in Puerto Rico were, for instance, "Dembow" by Nando Boom, "Pantalon caliente" by Pocho Pan, "Dulce" by La Atrevida or also international successes performed by Gringo Man and El gran General, such as "Muevelo" and "Son bow".
First Reggaeton sounds
The first sounds resembling modern reggaeton, appeared in Puerto Rico in "The Noise" disco between 1993 and 1994, where one listened to the rap of Vico C, containing Jamaican sounds.
In Puerto Rico, one began calling reggaeton " Under", mainly due to its often coarse lyrics and unvarnished language and also because it used to be distributed secretly among young people.
Origin of Reggaeton
There are two existing versions of reggaeton origin: some say that it originated in Panama, others argue that this musical direction comes from Puerto Rico. That is actually where the majority of reggaeton singers come from. Reggaeton actually developed from Jamaican Reggae, but was certainly influenced by various other musical directions, like for example, North American Hip-Hop and Puerto Rican rhythms.
Puerto Rico
Panama
But let's first take a look at the Spanish-speaking rap and reggae that have made an essential contribution to the development of reggaeton.
Spanish Reggae and Rap: origins and development
Reggae developed in the 70's in Jamaica and has gone through numerous changes since then, having been combined with other sounds and rhythms. Panama was the first place where Reggae was performed (by Chicho Man) in Spanish, while the first Spanish rap (performed by Vico C) appeared in Puerto Rico. It all happened in 1985, and in the years to come this movement arrived in other Latin American countries as well as in the United States.
During this peak of Spanish-speaking music movement, Vico C managed to make a breakthrough with his Spanish rap and "merengue house" (a mixture of rap and meregue).
In the 90's, one began talking about typical Spanish reggae. In Puerto Rico one began listening not only to rap but also to Jamaican reggae, which had a great success there.
The first reggae songs, heard in Puerto Rico were, for instance, "Dembow" by Nando Boom, "Pantalon caliente" by Pocho Pan, "Dulce" by La Atrevida or also international successes performed by Gringo Man and El gran General, such as "Muevelo" and "Son bow".
First Reggaeton sounds
The first sounds resembling modern reggaeton, appeared in Puerto Rico in "The Noise" disco between 1993 and 1994, where one listened to the rap of Vico C, containing Jamaican sounds.
In Puerto Rico, one began calling reggaeton " Under", mainly due to its often coarse lyrics and unvarnished language and also because it used to be distributed secretly among young people.
First Reggaeton productions and performers
At the end of 1994 came the first productions combining Spanish rap with reggae. They appeared in "Playero 37" and "The Noise". There was a rapper, who performed in these clubs, and was accompanied by Reggae-beats containing elements of instrumental rap. It was in "Palyero 37", where Daddy Yankee, O.G. Black y Master Joe began their careers.
Don Chezina, Daddy Yankee, Baby Rasta y Gringo, Guanabanas, Polaco and Maico y Manue were among the artists that interpreted this fusion.
The Noise: one of the first productions and its theme
The first productions of The Noise dealt with such issues as street violence, sex and drugs. The Noise 3, however, was totally different, because it used slow reggae to get across positive messages as well as the love theme. This way it was possible to avoid critique coming from the authorities. Such productions as The Creation 1 and La Cripta 1 were also of great importance in Panama.
Reggaeton: ups and downs in the 90's
Meanwhile, reggaeton was no longer a secret music style, and was turning into a hip sound coming from almost every stereo, especially in cars. The commercialization of this musical direction created more and more notorious "tiraeras", typical fights between various DJ's causing a lot of hostility among them. Each DJ has his "corillo", his troop or gang of singers around him.
These fights really discredited reggaeton at the end of the 90's (1997-2000). An agreement between various "corillos" finally managed to settle the "tiraeras". As a result, many singers ("Benny Blanco presents Daddy Yankee" or "Don Chezina") as well as joint projects of various artists could gain a firm hold on the market, while the latter was preferred by the audience.
Worldwide expansion of Reggaeton
The rhythm of reggaeton, which was already very popular among young people, began expanding into the rest of Latin American countries and even reached the North American audience. This spectacular expansion brought reggaeton unexpected respect and celebrity, while just a few years ago this musical direction had to lead a shadowy existence.
In the meantime, reggaeton has become a music style, which celebrates a triumph in many countries, including Venezuela, Columbia, Mexico, Argentina, Spain, Dominican Republic, USA, Puerto Rico, etc. Reggaeton, however, has expanded further than Latin American markets, reggaeton singers also distinguished themselves in other countries like, for example, Peruvian band "Los Kalibres" in Japan or "Pachanga" in Germany.
At the end of 1994 came the first productions combining Spanish rap with reggae. They appeared in "Playero 37" and "The Noise". There was a rapper, who performed in these clubs, and was accompanied by Reggae-beats containing elements of instrumental rap. It was in "Palyero 37", where Daddy Yankee, O.G. Black y Master Joe began their careers.
Don Chezina, Daddy Yankee, Baby Rasta y Gringo, Guanabanas, Polaco and Maico y Manue were among the artists that interpreted this fusion.
The Noise: one of the first productions and its theme
The first productions of The Noise dealt with such issues as street violence, sex and drugs. The Noise 3, however, was totally different, because it used slow reggae to get across positive messages as well as the love theme. This way it was possible to avoid critique coming from the authorities. Such productions as The Creation 1 and La Cripta 1 were also of great importance in Panama.
Reggaeton: ups and downs in the 90's
Meanwhile, reggaeton was no longer a secret music style, and was turning into a hip sound coming from almost every stereo, especially in cars. The commercialization of this musical direction created more and more notorious "tiraeras", typical fights between various DJ's causing a lot of hostility among them. Each DJ has his "corillo", his troop or gang of singers around him.
These fights really discredited reggaeton at the end of the 90's (1997-2000). An agreement between various "corillos" finally managed to settle the "tiraeras". As a result, many singers ("Benny Blanco presents Daddy Yankee" or "Don Chezina") as well as joint projects of various artists could gain a firm hold on the market, while the latter was preferred by the audience.
Worldwide expansion of Reggaeton
The rhythm of reggaeton, which was already very popular among young people, began expanding into the rest of Latin American countries and even reached the North American audience. This spectacular expansion brought reggaeton unexpected respect and celebrity, while just a few years ago this musical direction had to lead a shadowy existence.
In the meantime, reggaeton has become a music style, which celebrates a triumph in many countries, including Venezuela, Columbia, Mexico, Argentina, Spain, Dominican Republic, USA, Puerto Rico, etc. Reggaeton, however, has expanded further than Latin American markets, reggaeton singers also distinguished themselves in other countries like, for example, Peruvian band "Los Kalibres" in Japan or "Pachanga" in Germany.
