Reggaeton

Since reggaeton is a relatively young style of music (having begun in the late 1980s or early 1990s), a volume of this sort is invaluable. The editors are careful to place reggaeton as a substyle of Jamaican reggae and to credit reggae with the roots of reggaeton (accomplished through creating Spanish-language "versions" of Jamaican dance-hall hits). In addition to discussing the Panamanian and Puerto Rican foundations of the style, the essays note the evolution of reggaeton as it went to New York City. Issues discussed include race, gender, origin, politics, language, text basis, public opinion, and sex. Enhanced by numerous illustrations, this is a serious, well-written study that significantly enhances the literature on reggaeton style.