History and Main Styles of Reggaeton

Reggaeton is a dance style that demands high energy and commitment from performers. It's a dance of emotion, fun, and originality. Reggaeton is one of the few dance genres that originated from music.

Music genres similar to modern reggaeton first appeared over a century and a half ago in Jamaica. Locals loved to sing catchy tunes and dance to them.

About 50 years later, Jamaican workers brought these songs to Panama. The locals loved the rhythm so much that they began adapting it to their own style. The first songs were in Spanish and only gained popularity in the 1970s. The genre became globally known only after the release of Vico C's first album.

Gradually, people started creating dance moves to the music, and since the rhythm was similar to Jamaican songs, the dance was also borrowed from Jamaican traditions. I'm sure everyone is familiar with the fiery dances of Jamaican women. Jamaican dance is somewhat similar to belly dancing, but the main difference is that the hips are used more intensely.

In the 1990s, both reggaeton music and dance became highly popular in venues like taverns and beer bars—places frequented by gangsters and drug dealers of that era.

At that time, reggaeton was banned due to its overly explicit and vulgar movements. Police often dispersed young people dancing in clubs, and the most persistent could even be jailed for a few days.

However, this only happened in Russia and a few European countries. In Panama, Jamaica, and Cuba, the dance style faced no restrictions, and even children could dance it freely, let alone adults.

Incidentally, Cuba gave birth to a reggaeton variation called 'Perreo', where the woman turns her back to her partner and they perform somewhat provocative moves.

In European countries, this dance style sparked a lot of negative reactions, and dancers faced heavy criticism from society. This continued until 2003.

Then, high European society seemed to accept it, and not only the dance but also the music became ubiquitous—playing from almost every car.

After the turbulent 90s, the Russian government also became more relaxed about dance styles like reggaeton. The dance direction evolved, stirring strong emotions in both dancers and spectators. Initially, reggaeton had no fixed moves, but later it came to incorporate not only sharp hip movements but also elements of hip-hop, bachata, and salsa.

Experiments with partners also began. Some people view—and still view—reggaeton as a captivating partner dance full of passion and emotion. Solo dancers also easily found their place in this dance style. Recently, group choreography in reggaeton has been gaining popularity, eliciting more excitement from the audience than a solo dancer or a couple.

Moreover, group performances allow for impressive acrobatic elements that enhance the routine.

Today, reggaeton continues to grow in popularity and evolve. While it was once thought that only slim girls and muscular men could dance it, now audiences are most moved by reggaeton performed by dancers with fuller figures.