Reggaeton Pop
tagStarted 2004Peak 2017-2023Last big hit still active
Reggaeton's dembow riddim made radio-glossy: the boom-ch-boom-chick pattern softened with pop melody, polished synth beds, and sung crossover hooks. Less raw than perreo, it keeps the hip-sway groove but layers catchy refrains and clean production for mainstream and bilingual audiences, from club anthems to summer pop smashes.
History
Born in Puerto Rico from Panamanian reggae en español, reggaeton hit pop with Daddy Yankee's 2004 'Gasolina'. After a mid-2000s lull, it surged back in the 2010s; the 2017 global phenomenon 'Despacito' cemented reggaeton pop as a worldwide chart force, opening the door for the urbano takeover that followed.
Defining artists
Essential listening
Sources
- Billboard Hot Latin Songs
- Wikipedia: Reggaeton
- AllMusic: Reggaeton