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The Cultural Evolution of Reggaeton

Dec 2, 2024

Lecture Notes: Origins and Evolution of Reggaeton

Introduction

  • The lecture explores the origins and evolution of reggaeton.
  • Emphasis on its transition from Afro-Caribbean identity expression to global popularity.

Unique Rhythm: Dembow

  • Central to reggaeton, identifiable rhythm.
  • Example: Daddy Yankee's "Gasolina."

Historical Roots

  • Jamaican Influence

    • Reggaeton's origins tied to Jamaica and the dancehall reggae of the late 80s and early 90s.
    • Development involved DJs manipulating volume to create polyrhythms.
    • Shaba Ranks' "Dembow" as a key track.

  • Panama's Role

    • Panamanian artists like El General translated dancehall reggae to Spanish, leading to "reggae en español."
    • Artists were descendants of Jamaican and West Indian immigrants working on the Panama Canal.

Development in New York and Puerto Rico

  • New York Influence

    • Panamanian, Jamaican, Puerto Rican, and African American communities mixed sounds.
    • New York's hip-hop scene influenced reggaeton.

  • Puerto Rico as a Reggaeton Hub

    • Reggaeton developed in clubs like The Noise in San Juan.
    • Initially underground, associated with criminality and obscenity.
    • Influential collectives like The Noise helped shape reggaeton.

Societal and Cultural Context

  • Stigma and Censorship

    • Reggaeton faced stigma, associating with working-class and black communities.
    • Puerto Rican government attempted censorship during Mano Duro Contra el Crimen in the 1990s.

  • Racial and Cultural Identity

    • Reggaeton reflects racial issues and heritage reclamation.
    • Influence of Afro-Puerto Rican and Afro-Latinx identities.
    • Artists like Tego Calderón address racial discrimination.

Gender Dynamics

  • Women have been part of the reggaeton scene from early on.
  • Evie Queen and contemporary female artists like DJ Bambona influence the genre.

Modern Day and Whitewashing

  • Discussion on how reggaeton's crossover popularity has led to whitewashing.
  • Importance of acknowledging and reclaiming Afro-Caribbean roots.

Conclusion

  • Reggaeton as a product of diasporic communities reclaiming their heritage.
  • Encouragement for understanding and preserving the genre's history.

For more detailed exploration into the history of reggaeton's influence and cultural impact, refer to additional resources or listen to more music examples discussed in the lecture.

Full transcript