Denise Jiminez
The hottest new sound uniting teens and Latinos today across the country is reggaeton. From L.A. to New York, people are singing to their favorite artists and listening to what some are calling the new music phenomenon.
Originating in Panama and then moving to Puerto Rico, reggaeton is derived from Jamaican reggae.
Some of the most well-known artists are Daddy Yankee, famous for “Gasolina.” Don Omar and Tego Calderon collaborate in many songs and are some of the best free-stylers with different beats including hip-hop, rap and reggaeton.
Ivy Queen is showing tremendous influence as a woman with her song, “Te he Querido Te he Llorado.” Hector el Bambino is known as the “godfather of reggaeton.”
“It is so big because we can relate to it as Latinos,” said Robert Alas, former Pierce College student. “I’ve been listening to it for five to six years and it had to become what it is now, something big.”
A funny thing about reggaeton exploding is that most of the artists started doing something other than music. Tego Calderon was a cab driver before he became a star. One day someone heard him in the cab and told him that someday he was going to be somebody. And he did become somebody in Latin America and now in the US.
Don Omar was a pastor before music influenced him. He couldn’t stay away from his passion, so he left the church. But he incorporated his talented lyricism into some of his songs like “Luna.”
Proving reggaeton has expanded, is that there is a radio station dedicated solely to reggaeton, Latino 96.3. This station has enough variety that people can never get bored of it.
The bigger the fan, the louder the music will get bumped in the car, at work or at home. Their thing is “orgulloso de ser Latino (proud to be Latin.)” KIIS FM (102.7) also plays reggaeton like the song la “Gasolina.” KLOVE (107.5) plays reggaeton every Saturday night live from the Rumba Room.
“As a teen myself, I love reggaeton,” said Elayne Diez, a senior at Chatsworth High School. “I feel attached to every song I hear. It makes me feel good listening to such up-beat music … there isn’t just one beat to reggaeton. It spices up my day.”
There is such a wide variety of beats and of rhythms that reggaeton can be combined with bachata, salsa, cumbia and hip-hop. The blend of beats by Eliel and the talented voices of the reggaetoneros make this sound that is driving Latinos mad.
But it is not just the beats, it is also the wide variety of singers. Other well-known names include Kris and Angel, John Erick, Vico C, Yagga, Mackie, Zion and Lenox.
All of these artists have their songs on the radio. Teens buy their music and old people grind to it on the dance floor at Quinciañeras and weddings.
“The reason why reggaeton is taking over the music industry is because teens think its taboo and they are proud that Latinos can stand up and have their voices heard,” said Kimberly Solorzano, a junior at Chatsworth High School.
“They also are able to relate to it because many of the songs have to do with life and things that we go through.”
The big influence of reggaeton is what it says. Every song has a meaning and every song reaches down to the heart.
Topics deal with cheating, money, power, love and problems (with your boyfriend/girlfriend, family or friends.)
Free-style reggaeton has every topic as well. It also shouts out to reggaeton, meaning it tells people that they should listen to reggaeton, “que es muy bueno.”
They also support the Latin race. For example, Don Omar sings “El Reggaeton Latino,” Notch sings, “Hay Que Bueno” and Kris and Angel sing, “Ven Bailalo.”
“Reggaeton is the future of music. It will be bigger than hip-hop and bigger than rock,” said Alas. “We Latinos were waiting for something like this that would show the world who we are.”