Let's Talk About Reggaeton!
Sunday July 9, 2006
Some say that the relatively new genre of reggaeton is just a passing fad and some say that it's absolutely revolutionary. I'm on the side of the optimists on this one... I think reggaeton is here to stay. But what is it, exactly?
Reggaeton is a blend of the Latin rhythms of merengue, bomba and plena, as well as the Caribbean rhythms of reggae and soca. In fact, the rhythm that defines reggaeton is the "dembow" rhythm, which comes from soca music, which, in return, is borrowed from some basic talas of Classical Indian Music. Add a fair bit of straight-up hip-hop to that mix, and you've got yourself reggaeton. Quite a pedigree, I must say. But don't take my word for it, check it out for yourself.
Reggaeton is a blend of the Latin rhythms of merengue, bomba and plena, as well as the Caribbean rhythms of reggae and soca. In fact, the rhythm that defines reggaeton is the "dembow" rhythm, which comes from soca music, which, in return, is borrowed from some basic talas of Classical Indian Music. Add a fair bit of straight-up hip-hop to that mix, and you've got yourself reggaeton. Quite a pedigree, I must say. But don't take my word for it, check it out for yourself.
Comments
How is it humanly possible that a society and a culture that produced such great musicians (the guys with instruments) Like Eddie Palmari or Ismael Miranda have been replaced by a band (not a real Band) of social misfits with waxed eyebrows?
Which (i’ll be nice) “artist” knows how to read music or at least play an instrument. Which of them can actually hold a non-computer assisted note?
How emotionally hard do you have to dig into yourself and your own experience to come to “Tembo, Tembo, Tembo” or one of my favorites “Machete, Filao, Machete Filao”
As the Americanization of Puerto Rico continues at breakneck speed, if we are lucky, we will be left with the piece of cloth called our “Flag” and the shell of an island littered by the worst that America has to offer, Mcdonalds, Kentucky Fried Chicken, The Gap, Home Depot, K-mart, Pizza Hut, etc.
Oh and clearly the sound track to the continued colonization of the island will be produced by none one other then Daddy Yankee. How fitting.