| "Oye Mi Canto"; Hear my song. Latinos, Puerto | | | | sex.Reggaeton today has grown in size over |
| Ricans in particular, have been stating this | | | | the past few years; evidenced by the track |
| for years. Trying to get anyone who will | | | | mentioned in the beginning of this article. |
| listen to hear their music: Reggaeton. A | | | | "Oye Mi Canto" was released in the summer of |
| blend of Spanish rap style lyrics laced over | | | | 2004 by rapper Noreaga featuring a well known |
| a sped up reggae drum beat. Many people in | | | | reggaeton artist by the name of Daddy Yankee |
| the U.S. got their first taste of Reggaeton | | | | and also featuring GemStar, Big Mato and Nina |
| with "Oye Mi Canto" in the summer of 2004. In | | | | Sky. This song appeared on the Billboard |
| fact, Reggaeton was developed 30 years ago in | | | | charts and was in heavy rotation on radio |
| Panama when Jamaican immigrants were brought | | | | stations everywhere. Everyone, including |
| over during the building of the Panama Canal. | | | | Noreaga believed that they had stumbled upon |
| With them, they brought Reggae music.In | | | | something new. But recently artists from |
| 1985, rapper Vico C from Puerto Rico produced | | | | Puerto Rico (which arguably produces the most |
| the first Spanish-language Hip-Hop record. | | | | popular artists of reggaeton) have emerged to |
| Thus the two main influences of the genre | | | | be popular outside of la isla del encanto: |
| were in place, as well as the two main | | | | Tego Calderon, Don Omar, Winsin y Yandel, |
| producing countries. During the | | | | Hector y Tito, Daddy Yankee, Baby Rasta y |
| mid-nineties, Puerto Ricans were making their | | | | Gringo and Ivy Queen. These are the most |
| own material, with hip-hop influences, and | | | | popular artists in Puerto Rico and most of |
| recording what is considered to be the first | | | | Latin America. They are credited with |
| Reggaeton tracks. Today, the music is | | | | bringing it to the mainstream, amassing a |
| flourishing in both Puerto Rico and Panama. | | | | large following in areas like New York, |
| And it now appears to be headed to the | | | | Florida, Boston and Chicago.Large companies |
| U.S.The music is very similar to Jamaican | | | | are taking notice as well. Last year, |
| Reggae or Ragga. The same rhythm is employed | | | | Roc-A-Fella Records, best known for rappers |
| and the vocals tend to be reggae style though | | | | Jay Z, Beanie Sigel and Foxy Brown, created |
| hip-hop style vocals are becoming extremely | | | | an extension of the label for Latin artists |
| popular. The lyrics are often about Love, | | | | known as Roc-La-Familia. Bad Boy mogul Sean |
| Cheating, Street Life, Passion and | | | | "P Diddy" Combs also has started Bad Boy |
| Misunderstandings. Although there are plenty | | | | Latino. The genre that was once chastised is |
| of artists that have incorporated raunchy | | | | beginning to flourish. |
| lyrics the have to do with nothing but | | | | |