Mainsteam Imperialising Reggaeton

This is Luny Tunes, a Dominican production duo based in Puerto Rico, arguably the most successful and influential reggaeton producers right now. They are compared to The Neptunes in their ability to consistently produce chart-topping #1 hits for different artists. They're highly demanded international stars respected in and out of the Latino world. But even with all this clout, I've met many people, especially Latinos that don't like the "Dem Bow" sound. Before I figured it was a matter of taste, but after discussing it a little with my friend Lue Villanueva, I realized that there might be other reasons why mainstream ears might be reluctant to give it a shot until their hear it through a redesigned, pop-friendly version...

In my experience, earlier reggaeton was mostly heavy lower-class drum machines, Spanish rapping, and, I admit, vocally sub-amateur singing with confusing dissonant harmonies, lol! When a person who's used to listening to quality hip-hop and R&B singers like Mariah Carey and Mary J Blige, why would anyone listen to reggaeton? A lot of people don't listen it because of this reason, but the people in Latin American barrios (neighborhoods) where the sound was developed listen to it with pride!

Many people from poorer barrios, especially in Puerto Rico and Dominican Republic, have made this music a part of their culture and identity. And with all the poverty in these and other Latin Countries, imagine the mass fan base dedicated to it! Most of their artists come from the barrio, just like the people that listen to it, and have gone from rags to riches through entertaining and rapping about their experiences. And because of the lower quality of production and seemingly repetitious beat, a lot of mainstream and pop ears naturally push it away, as it is a much different sound and quality to many people than what their used to. But these beginning qualities of reggaeton are a reflection of a poorer people and their ability to create something for themselves, no matter what the circumstances are, to take honor and pride in. Reggaeton is a sound that right now is listened to by mostly Latinos but because of the rise in popularity within the mainstream, the increasing sales and revenues going toward their artist and producers, and the musical direction toward the money VIA pop-sounding production, reggaeton is becoming more mainstream friendly, frustrating many people from the barrio as the big name companies are capitalizing on their sound, making big bucks on it.


To be honest with you, I am VERY VERY MUCH enjoying all the different instruments and musical styles being mixed in with today's reggaeton, even the pop stuff, I absolutely love it! But now that the mainstream is taking it over, how are the people from the barrio going to take it? Are the artists that are made rich from their people in the barrios buying their music going to keep it real still? Are the barrios going to respect their musical leaders on the reggaeton world? Will the barrios get their music taken from them like an imperialist nation taking land for themselves and convert it toward their own vision?


-gs1r-


LISTENING TO:

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Chulin Culin Chunfly
by: Voltio
Voltio