Reggaeton...cultural representation?
If reggaeton survives it has along way to go before it is fully accepted as a 'genre' that represents a culture. In this case primarily Puerto Rican culture. As I mentioned in my first post I don't care for the music but I recognize that it has an audience. However to not recognize that reggaeton 'today' sparks controversy would be categorically false. The controversy that surrounds reggaeton is the explicit lyrics and 'el perreo'. For those who have more traditional tastes surely will have no regard for the music however, one of the ways I evaluate a genre of music is by its cultural representation.
The lyrics of a genre of music usually tell a lot about the culture that the music represents. How do reggaeton lyrics define Puerto Rican culture? Out of the genres of music that I listen to culture is certainly defined. My best example is Cuban salsa. Both contemporary and older artists define Cuban culture via the lyrics of their songs. If you listen to any cd by Issac Delgado or Albita Rodriguez one can get a sense of Cuban culture which is expressed via the lyrics of their music.
It is possible that reggaeton is facing the same social resistance that bachata did many years ago and in fact still does but bachata's popularity outside of the DR has been accredited to Juan Luis Guerra y 4.40. As a result of his renowned cd Bachata Rosa bachata began to gain more popularity outside of the DR rather than in its country of origin. Anyone who knows the history of bachata music knows the social 'stigma' that it carried for a very long time and still carries today (by some of the older generation). Traditionally bachata music was solely associated with rural lower class folk. However, contemporary artists have marketability and suffice to say the genre will continue with the success that it has had over the past decade.
I still believe reggaeton is a 'moda pasajera' with an exclusive audience. The social stigma will prevail and the genre will last so long as there are rappers, hip hop artists etc. who want to cross over to this genre. Going back to my basis when evaluating a genre of music. Traditional Puerto Rican music (bomba y plena) is representative of its culture in my opinion more so than reggaeton but if Puerto Ricans are embracing it fully more power to them.
LDG.
If reggaeton survives it has along way to go before it is fully accepted as a 'genre' that represents a culture. In this case primarily Puerto Rican culture. As I mentioned in my first post I don't care for the music but I recognize that it has an audience. However to not recognize that reggaeton 'today' sparks controversy would be categorically false. The controversy that surrounds reggaeton is the explicit lyrics and 'el perreo'. For those who have more traditional tastes surely will have no regard for the music however, one of the ways I evaluate a genre of music is by its cultural representation.
The lyrics of a genre of music usually tell a lot about the culture that the music represents. How do reggaeton lyrics define Puerto Rican culture? Out of the genres of music that I listen to culture is certainly defined. My best example is Cuban salsa. Both contemporary and older artists define Cuban culture via the lyrics of their songs. If you listen to any cd by Issac Delgado or Albita Rodriguez one can get a sense of Cuban culture which is expressed via the lyrics of their music.
It is possible that reggaeton is facing the same social resistance that bachata did many years ago and in fact still does but bachata's popularity outside of the DR has been accredited to Juan Luis Guerra y 4.40. As a result of his renowned cd Bachata Rosa bachata began to gain more popularity outside of the DR rather than in its country of origin. Anyone who knows the history of bachata music knows the social 'stigma' that it carried for a very long time and still carries today (by some of the older generation). Traditionally bachata music was solely associated with rural lower class folk. However, contemporary artists have marketability and suffice to say the genre will continue with the success that it has had over the past decade.
I still believe reggaeton is a 'moda pasajera' with an exclusive audience. The social stigma will prevail and the genre will last so long as there are rappers, hip hop artists etc. who want to cross over to this genre. Going back to my basis when evaluating a genre of music. Traditional Puerto Rican music (bomba y plena) is representative of its culture in my opinion more so than reggaeton but if Puerto Ricans are embracing it fully more power to them.
LDG.
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