Roots and Revolution: The Story from Hip Hop to Reggaeton
Urban music has evolved at a dizzying pace from the late 1970s to today. Hip hop, born in the neighborhoods of the Bronx as a form of cultural expression, was the starting point. With figures like Grandmaster Flash, Run DMC, Tupac, and Notorious B.I.G., this movement combined rhymes, street beats, and social messages. At the same time, breakdancing became its physical language, with young people competing in the streets and clubs. In the 90s, hip hop crossed borders and began to blend with other styles, giving rise to new forms of urban music.
In Latin America, reggaeton emerged as a blend of reggae, dancehall, hip hop, and Latin rap. From its early days with DJ Playero and Daddy Yankee, to its global expansion with artists like Don Omar, Wisin & Yandel, Bad Bunny, J Balvin, and Karol G, this genre became a worldwide phenomenon. Today’s urban music is a vibrant mix of global sounds, electronic rhythms, and modern lyrics that connect with new generations. It has conquered the charts and continues to break cultural barriers.