Brief history of Cuban reggaeton (Part II)

Mar 7, 2020

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The Cuban reggaeton developed and grew tremendously in popularity in the first decade of the century. During this period the number of reggaeton bands multiply and the public increasingly became more interested in this new genre.

Development and rise of the Cuban reggaeton

After Carlos Manuel and his Clan, another highly successful group called Cubanito 20.02 fleetingly appeared. This new Cuban reggaeton, marked Caribbean influences, sensed the way to get away from being just a copy of the Puerto Rican branch. One of her biggest hits was “Ulakalakala”.

The lyrics remained naive and without a strong vulgarity, opposite to another group that has changed dramatically over the years: Clan 537. His song “Quién tiró la tiza” (Who threw the chalk) acquired a good reputation in the popular and witty letter criticizing sensitive issues such as racism but it was a rapper and then tilt its influence dissipated as they appeared.

From here on, we can start to talk about a true diffusion stage (quite viral and sometimes not very appropriate), internal variation and fusion with other dance genres throughout this decade of Cuban reggaeton.

Cuban (not Havana’s) reggaeton

This was the Havana scene, but in the East the new wave had claimed more boom and expanded into the west rapidly and with a good acceptance. It is the specific case of Candyman, thanks to funding from a Swedish producers and Cubatón project took off with other artists, with whom he recorded the first album of Cuban reggaeton. By this time however, the top 10 lists of reggaeton were governed almost exclusively by Puerto Rican musicians.

Period 2000-2010

Over time, new Cuban reggaeton groups were born who were climbing the ladder, as the rapper Eddy K. style changed to the other and clashed with many issues. However, other bands were a hit, and his eminence as a classic “Pitchea”.

Since the sustained success of Eddy K, which became “Los Cuatro” (The four), it began to appear groups or solo constants remain for several years in popularity, some of them still remain. Clan 537’s resurgence is a good example, which artists like “El Insurrecto” (The Insurgent) or Baby Lores joined to create many popular songs. Year 2006 is the year of their launch, with “Caperucita” and “Déjala ir” (Let her go).

Another group that continues today is Gente de Zona, composed by Alexander Delgado and Michel “Caro” initially. His songs became famous not only in Cuba, but also in Miami, where the Cuban reggaeton became to increase it’s popularity. To increase the list: Jackal, Ylién Oviedo, Acento Latino, Osmany Garcia and Eduardo Mora among others can also be added.

Merger by both parties: son – reggaeton

From this moment, the Cuban reggaeton scene already had a number of figures and groups that recorded regularly kept live performances and beat one song after another. The Puerto Rican reggaeton influence begins to wane significantly.

The merger also contrary was immediate. With the growing popularity of the new genre, many dance bands began to invite recognized reggaeton to sing with them. Paulo FG, Haila and especially the Charanga Habanera were among the pioneers in this.

At the end of the decade, we can began to see two phenomena to be accentuated in the coming years: the letters began to be popularized increasingly pure Puerto Rican style. But then the music will come off completely from its own roots as well as his Cuban audience.


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