The Origin of Reggaeton

By: Ronsheica Trotman

What is the origin of Reggaeton?

• There are two existing versions of reggaeton origin: some say that it originated in Panama, others argue that this musical direction comes from Puerto Rico. That is actually where the majority of reggaeton singers come from.

• Reggaeton actually developed from Jamaican Reggae, but was certainly influenced by various other musical directions, like for example, North American Hip-Hop and Puerto Rican rhythms.

What is its history?

• Reggae developed in the 70's in Jamaica and has gone through numerous changes since then, having been combined with other sounds and rhythms. Panama was the first place where Reggae was performed (by Chicho Man) in Spanish, while the first Spanish rap (performed by Vico C. appeared in Puerto Rico. It all happened in 1985, and in the years to come this movement arrived in other Latin American countries as well as in the United States.

What is the misunderstanding?

• Though Reggaeton originated in Panama where the first performance was done by Chico Man. The misunderstanding is that where the original artists originated in Panama but today’s reggaeton sounds come from Puerto Rico

Migration from the Caribbean to Panama

• It is often, erroneously, stated that Jamaican labor built the Panama Canal.  Actually, Jamaica, the largest, nearest and most populous of the British West Indies, would have been a logical place to recruit unskilled labor. The building of the Panama canal was the Jamaicans opportunity to migrate or move into Panama.

Jamaican Migrants and Workers