It evolved from "reggae en español" in Panama and hip-hop influences in New York and Puerto Rico.
In the 1990s, the music faced heavy censorship and police raids in Puerto Rico due to its explicit lyrics, which ironically fueled its popularity as a symbol of rebellion. Old School Reggaeton | Spotify Playlist
Producers like DJ Playero and DJ Nelson popularized the signature "boom-ch-boom-chk" rhythm known as dembow , which remains the genre's backbone.
Before becoming a global phenomenon, reggaetón was known as .