You’ve probably heard of big names in reggaetón like Bad Bunny, Karol G. and Maluma, but can you name any early reggaetón artists besides Daddy Yankee? This new playlist explores the generation of artists during the major commercialization of the reggaetón genre, spanning from 2000-2010. But first, some history.
Reggaetón has been around since the 1980s when it originated in Panama as a translation of Jamaican dancehall music brought by West Indians who were constructing the Panama Canal. The genre combines elements of reggae and early hip-hop from Puerto Rico that collaborated to evolve the sound into how we know it today.
It is seen predominantly as a genre for dancing and partying, and the genre has been critiqued for its focus on sex, drugs and street life. However, the topics of the songs don’t degrade the quality of the music whatsoever, and the genre has been used not only for telling stories of dance and pleasure but also for narrating movements of protest and resistance. A good example of this is the song ‘Latinoamérica’ released in the year 2010 by Calle 13.
In the late 80s and early 90s, reggaetón sounded a lot different than it does today, but in this era began the emergence of popular artists such as Wisin y Yandel, Daddy Yankee, Hector y Tito, Plan B, Baby Rasta y Gringo and The Noise, many of whom continue to make music well into the 21st century.
But let’s not leave out the women of early reggaetón who paved the way for artists like Karol G, Natti Natasha, Becky G, Rosalía and Farina, often who were named the five most popular female reggaetón artists in 2020. These women wouldn’t have gotten to where they are today if it weren’t for the hard work of women who entered the industry in the 1990s. Ivy Queen is a Puerto Rican artist who started releasing music in the late 90s, and was known as “La Reina del Reggaetón” or “the Queen of Reggaetón.” Some other lesser-known names from this decade were Lisa M, Glory, La Atrevida and Demphra, all of whom were from (can you guess it?) Puerto Rico or Panama.
The commercialization of reggaetón in the early 2000s meant the introduction of a wider audience to the genre and the integration of artists from a variety of Latin American countries. Some of the songs that reached the most fame between 2000 and 2010 (that aren’t included in this playlist) are ‘Rakata’ by Wisin y Yandel, ‘Oye Mi Canto’ by N.O.R.E., and of course, ‘Gasolina’ by Daddy Yankee, which is played at just about every party and club in the U.S. to this day.
Now that a little more is known about the roots of reggaetón and the artists who have shaped it to be the genre it is today, which was the fifth most popular in the U.S. in 2018, it’s time to get up and dance to these legendary tracks. Without further ado, I introduce you to a playlist of two songs from each year 2000-2010 featuring artists like Don Omar, Nicky Jam, Tego Calderón, Arcángel and La Factoria who are sure to get you dancing next weekend. In fact, some of these songs might even end up on your party playlist!
Playlist:
El Amor Sin Ropa – Dj Joe 2000
Mujeres – Azul Azul 2000
Ya Llegó Tu Tiempo a Ti Te Toca – The Noise, J.C. 2001
Donde Estan las Gatas – Alex Gargolas, Daddy Yankee, Nicky Jam 2001
Felina – Hector & Tito 2002
Guayando – Daddy Yankee, Nicky Jam 2002
Pa’ Que Retozen – Tego Calderón 2003
Dile – Don Omar 2003
Me Pones en Tensión – The Noise, Zion & Lennox 2004
Dame Tu Cuerpo – Bebe, Alberto Stylee 2004
Baila Morena – Hector & Tito, Luny Tunes, Noriega 2005
Noche De Sexo – Wisin & Yandel, Anthony Santos 2005
Sensacion Del Bloque – De La Ghetto 2006
El Telefono – Hector “El Father”, Wisin & Yandel 2006
Como Toda Una Señora – Dalmata 2007
Te He Querido, Te He Llorado – Ivy Queen 2007
Pa’ Que La Pases Bien – Arcángel 2008
Perdóname – La Factoria, Eddy Lover 2008
Me Estas Tentando – Wisin & Yandel 2009
Punto y Aparte – Tego Calderón 2009
La Despedida – Daddy Yankee 2010
Si No Le Contesto – Plan B 2010
Listen to this playlist on Spotify. If you’re interested in listening to more music from Latin America, check out my other playlist of Brazilian rap I’ve been enjoying lately.
