Urbano music
As an umbrella term it includes a wide and diverse set of genres and styles such as dancehall, dembow, urban champeta, funk carioca, Latin hip hop and reggaeton.
The commercial breakthrough of this music took place in 2017 with artists from Colombia, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Panama, Puerto Rico, the United States, Venezuela and even non-Spanish-speaking nations, such as Brazil, where Portuguese is spoken.
Mellow Man, referred to as the "Godfather of Latin rap" and a Hip Hop Hall of Fame inductee, brought mainstream attention to Spanglish rhyming with his 1989 platinum single "Mentirosa".
In 1990, fellow West Coast artist Kid Frost further brought Latinos to the rap forefront with his single "La Raza".
Cypress Hill, of which Mellow Man Ace was a member before going solo, would become the first Latino rap group to reach platinum status in 1991.
[4] Reggae as a musical genre has its origins in Jamaica, and it became popular throughout the 1970s in the black-immigrant communities of the other British West Indies, North America, and Great Britain.
[6] In 1977, a Guyanese immigrant who went by the nickname "Guyana", along with a local DJ known as "Wassabanga," introduced for the first time the reggae rhythms in Panama with lyrics in Spanish.
Reggaetón's lyrics serve as a reflection of Puerto Rico's urban landscape, drawing inspiration from the spatial geography and everyday life of the island.
Urbanism in Puerto Rico underwent significant transformations in the early 20th century, driven by shifts in the economy and population dynamics.
[15] The influx of agricultural laborers to urban centers led to the creation of social "ghettos," characterized by substandard living conditions.
The mid-20th-century policy response to urban poverty involved the construction of caseríos (public housing projects) and the development of barrios, which, despite efforts, persisted with slum-like conditions.
The disco, in particular, holds a multifaceted role, acting as a place for escapism, self-expression, and reflection, contrasting the challenges of barrio life.
The genre addresses a range of themes, including everyday life, social and political concerns, poverty, local conditions, friendship, athletics, and inter-Caribbean loyalties.
Luny Tunes and Noriega's Mas Flow, Yaga & Mackie's Sonando Diferente, Tego Calderón's El Abayarde, Ivy Queen's Diva, Zion & Lennox's Motivando a la Yal and the Desafío compilation were also well received.
[29][30] In 2015, Mozart La Para hit the top 20 at US Tropical Airplay and Latin Rhythm charts with the track "Llegan los Montro Men" and later signed a recording contract worth $2 million to Roc Nation.
[32] Colombian artists like Maluma or J Balvin put out hits every two or three months, and the South American country pays tribute to this genre in all its cities.
One of the keys to the success of this music is its ability to eliminate the existing social gaps in Colombian society since this genre triumphs both in the humble neighborhoods of southern Bogota and in the most exclusive clubs in Zona T or the Parque de la 93.
[37][38] Puerto Rican reggaeton and Latin trap singer Ozuna states that it originated in 2007 with the song "El Pistolón", performed by Arcángel & De La Ghetto, Yaga & Mackie, and Jowell & Randy (the former two were duo at the time).
[39][40] In 2018, Cardi B's hit single "I Like It" featuring Bad Bunny and J Balvin became the first Latin trap song to reach number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.
[46] In June 2017, "Despacito" was cited by Billboard's Leila Cobo as the song that renewed interest in the Latin music market from recording labels in the United States.
[47] Julyssa Lopez of The Washington Post stated that the successes of "Despacito" and J Balvin's "Mi Gente" is "the beginning of a new Latin crossover era.
"[49] Ho also stated that "as 'Despacito' proves, fans don't need to understand the language to enjoy the music", referring to the worldwide success of the song.
[49] In April 2018, Te Boté, released by Nio Garcia, Casper Magico, Darell, Ozuna, Bad Bunny, and Nicky Jam.
The genre emerged in San Martín, Buenos Aires during the 2000s and became popular in Argentina during the 2010s with artists such Los Wachiturros and Nene Malo.
