Ever wondered why every reggaeton song has the same beat? Or how in the name of Daddy Shabba Rankin Latino people get off on deejaying like us? It seems we are not so different after all. This article from Reggae Revelation explains a lot about how reaggaeton was created in Panama from Jamaican beats. Why Panama, you may want to know; because Jamaican labourers had long lived on the island, with the first failed French Panama Canal project in the late 19th century and then with the successful US one in 1914

Reggaeton is a type of urban music that has become widespread in popularity among young music lovers in Latin America, North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Reggaeton music originated in Panama and caters to Hispanic youth, with rapping and singing often in Spanish. The music is a blend of Jamaican style music such as dancehall and reggae and Latin America style music such as salsa, bomba, plena, merengue, bachata, hip hop, bolero, R&B, and Latin pop.

Reggaeton music boasts its own specific rhythm and beat. The rhythm of reggaeton is often referred to as “Dem Bow.” The name Dem Bow references the title of a dancehall song from the 1990s by Shabba Ranks. Though the music genre of reggaeton is mostly associated with Puerto Rico (where this style of music was popularized and became famous), the lyrics are more hip hop type lyrics than dancehall. Continue reading →