Rolling Afro-Latin Music 2019: Reggaeton, Salsa, Bomba, Latin Jazz, Bachata, Merengue, and more

Separate worlds largely here in the DC area. Latinx music from any genre gets very little English language press/website coverage from those who cover English language music

New J. Balvin w/ Bad Buny album didn't wow me on first listen. I like J. Balvin's pop side and that seemed less noticeable at first here

This one though:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcwEyLhwL54

J Balvin x Bad Bunny ft. Mr Eazi • Como Un Bebé

That sounds good. I need to listen to the whole album again too.

https://remezcla.com/lists/music/puerto-rico-protest-music-essential-against-corruption/

Puerto Rican protest songs in various genres from Bad Bunny, Residente, ILe, Ricky Martin, La India, PJ Sin Suela

“All day, the drums and the chants had blared through the streets outside La Fortaleza, the governor’s residence in San Juan, the Puerto Rican capital.

But just before midnight on Wednesday, a silence fell over the crowd.”...

Some loud cursing, as he spoke at length about his accomplishments as governor.

Then, the sound of exultation pierced through the crowd: “RENUNCIÓ!”

A flurry of Puerto Rican flags flew into the air, strangers clasped arms and friends began jumping in circles, singing “¡Oé! ¡Oé! ¡Oé!” Cars from all over the city began to honk and, as people danced, fireworks erupted overhead....Throughout the night, the celebrations took on the feel of a music festival in parts of the old city, as some motorists blasted music from their car stereos. Some street corners resembled spontaneous dance parties as protesters celebrated the shift in Puerto Rico’s politics...But what would happen in the coming days remained unclear. Mr. Rosselló said his resignation would not take effect until Aug. 2, and many have already said his possible successor, Wanda Vázquez, is not a suitable replacement.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/25/us/san-juan-celebration.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share

https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/2019/08/01/how-music-took-down-puerto-ricos-governor/

After Roselló’s resignation, people on social media said: “El Perreo ganó” (perreo won) and “Sin Perreo No Hay Revolución” (There’s no Revolution Without Perreo), pointing to reggaetón’s dance as the knockout blow to the corrupt governor.

Yes, some of these comments were tongue-in-cheek, playing on the irony of music that arose from black and low-income communities unseating the highest elected official in Puerto Rico. But they were also tapping into the longer history of reggaeton and perreo, forms that have always been political. Through reggaeton, Puerto Ricans have expressed political critique, resisted state censorship and criminalization, defied racism and misogyny — and now fueled collective action...

Prominent reggaeton and trap artists frequently joined demonstrators in the streets during the protests. Residente, iLe and Bad Bunny, in particular, alongside pop star Ricky Martin, played a vital role in amplifying the call of the Colectiva Feminista en Construcción for the National Strike on July 18, one of the largest demonstrations to take place in Puerto Rico’s history. In addition to the presence of artists at the protests, people also used reggaeton lyrics as chants. For instance, demonstrators frequently used a popular line from “En la Cama,” Daddy Yankee’s 2001 hit featuring Nicky Jam to call for Rosselló’s resignation. When a protester shouted “Yo quiero la combi completa” (I want the whole combination), which in the original makes reference to the various parts of a woman’s body, the crowd chanted in response “Qué? Ricky renuncia, puñeta!” (What? Ricky, resign, damnit!).

La Colectiva Feminista en Construcción, the feminist collective that initiated the protests in La Fortaleza, organize a yearly celebration “Si no puedo perrear, no es mi revolución” (If I can’t dance reggaeton, it’s not my revolution).

Te Bote-- I dumped you, threw you out of my life --Te Boté Remix - Casper Nio García Darell Nicky Jam Bad Bunny Ozuna

This song got a new meaning with the protests against the now former governor

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymBTbyQXE2c

Billboard Hot Latin Tracks

Otro Trago
Sech Featuring Darell

Songwriter(s):
C.I.Morales Williams, O.E.Castro Hernandez, J.Vasquez Valdes, J.J.Mendez
Producer(s):
Dimelo Flow
Imprint/Promotion Label:
Rich
2
Anuel AA, Daddy Yankee, Karol G, Ozuna & J Balvin
Songwriter(s):
E.Gazmey Santiago, J.C.Ozuna Rosado, V.Saavedra, Karol G, R.L.ayala Rodriguez, J.A.Osorio Balvin, M.E.Masis Fernandez
Producer(s):
Tainy
Imprint/Promotion Label:
Real Hasta La Muerte

3
Daddy Yankee & Katy Perry Featuring Snow Con Calma
Con Calma

Songwriter(s):
R.L.ayala Rodriguez, J.G.Rivera Vazquez, D.K.O'Brien
Producer(s):
Play-N-Skillz, Scott Summers
Imprint/Promotion Label:
UMLE | El Cartel
4
Bad Bunny & Tainy Callaita
Callaita

Songwriter(s):
B.A.Martinez Ocasio, F.G.Ortiz Torres
Producer(s):
Tainy, F.Saldana, Tunes
Imprint/Promotion Label:
Rimas
5
Lunay, Daddy Yankee & Bad Bunny Soltera

Songwriter(s):
J.Osorio Moreno, R.L.ayala Rodriguez, B.A.Martinez Ocasio, J.G.Rivera Vazquez, C.E.Ortiz Rivera, L.C.E.Ortiz Rivera, N.K.Segarra, J.Echevarria, N.K.Assad
Producer(s):
Chris Jeday, Gaby Music, N.K.Segarra, Dulce Como Candy
Imprint/Promotion Label:
Star Island

6
Jhay Cortez, J Balvin & Bad Bunny No Me Conoce

enjoying this second iLe album, almadura:

https://www.kexp.org/read/2019/6/27/calle-13-ile-hurricane-maria-solo-album-almadura/

it seems so lucid

I need to listen to it more. Checked it out quickly at first

Several Latinx music critics on twitter are grumbling that Otro Trago
Sech Featuring Darell

Is not getting the crossover media attention it and he deserves despite being number #1 for awhile , but European Rosalia can just say hello and get lotsa love and attention as an artiste

Sech is Afro-Panamanian

it's that pitchfork magic

still got it!!!!!

It’s a banger alright. I’m especially fond of the remix:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MaCnp-yB-Yc
Sech ft. Darell, Nicky Jam, Ozuna & Anuel AA • Otro Trago (Remix)

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/27/arts/music/dembow-rhythm-drake-justin-bieber.html

Dembow rhythm history w/ a Spotify playlist

X-post — Yeah that Otro Trago Remix is nice

I also love this one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a76lWh5yJCU
Ceasese ft. Polimá Westcoast & Young Cister • Te quiero ver

There's an interesting digital-only compilation out from Craft Recordings:

V/A - Fania Goes Psychedelic

01. Ray Barretto – Acid (5:07)
02. The Lebron Brothers Orchestra – Let’s Get Stoned (2:49)
03. Johnny Colon & Orchestra – Boogaloo Blues (6:53)
04. The Latin Blues Band – Take A Trip (4:53)
05. George Guzman – Banana Freak Out (3:43)
06. The Harvey Averne Band – Got To Have Brotherhood (2:57)
07. Pete Rodriguez – Oh That’s Nice (4:50)
08. Larry Harlow – Freak Off (3:30)
09. Joey Pastrana – Problems (7:15)
10. Eddie Palmieri – Revolt / La Libertad Lógico (5:25)
11. Ray Barretto – Power (6:08)
12. Bobby Valentín – Use It Before You Loose It (3:02)
13. The Lebron Brothers Orchestra – Summertime Blues (4:44)
14. Jimmy Sabater – Kool It Here Comes The Fuzz (3:14)
15. Flash And The Dynamics – Electric Latin Soul (3:16)

Track 1 originally released on Acid, Fania Records LP SLP 346, 1968.
Track 2 originally released on The Brooklyn Bums, Cotique LP C 1015, 1968.
Track 3 originally released on Boogaloo Blues, Cotique LP C 1004, 1967.
Track 4 originally released on Take A Trip Pussycat, Speed Records LP SS 101, 1968.
Track 5 originally released on Introducing George Guzman, Fania Records LP 348, 1968.
Track 6 originally released on Brotherhood, Fania Records LP 379, 1969.
Track 7 originally released on Oh, That’s Nice! (Ay, que bueno!), Alegre Records LP LPA 860, 1967.
Track 8 originally released as Orchestra Harlow on Harlow’s Harem, Fania Records LP SLP 408, 1972.
Track 9 originally released on Hot Pastrana, Cotique LP C 1025, 1968.
Track 10 originally released on Vamonos pa’l monte, Tico Records LP 1224, 1971.
Track 11 originally released on Barretto Power, Fania Records LP 397, 1970.
Track 12 originally released on Let’s Turn On / Arrebatarnos, Fania Records LP 343, 1968.
Track 13 originally released on Psychedelic Goes Latin, Cotique LP C 1008, 1967.
Track 14 originally released as “Kool It” on El hijo de Teresa / Teresa’s Son, Tico Records LP 1211, 1970.
Track 15 originally released on The New York Sound, Tico Records LP 1233, 1971.

That does look interesting

There are some great cuts on that J Balvin & Bad Bunny album. Was re-listening to it.

^^^ true words!

Más más más:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JmeyoMooJPY
Tini ft. Lalo Ebratt • Fresa

Some things I like about this song:
•it features Lalo Ebratt
•it’s informed by Afropop (lesson 1: “One Dance”)
•its subject matter is delicious
•it features Lalo Ebratt

Saw J Balvin live last night. Fun show. A big production with a set that had a giant bleachers section with a cartoonlike character ( video game meets Hello Kitty meets anime) on it; videos airing behind the set (in a Nam June Paik way), reggaeton dancers in everyday clothes as well as some in cartoon meets videogame costumes; strobe lights and other flashy lighting... On some songs like “La Cancion” there was less going on— just Balvin’s voice, his drummer, guitarist, and keyboard player/ backup vocalist

Missed bad boy heartthrob Maluma in town recently. He’s not bad

(no) pun intended?

The guys have a song together:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Geyg_F5pfHE
Maluma ft. J Balvin • Qué Pena

Quite nice, but not really the showstopper it should have been

Ha re pun. Yes not the showstopper it could have been

Pedro Capó w/ Farruko song Calma has become a favorite of Nats baseball players after a win

https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2019/10/22/magic-calma-reggaeton-hit-that-became-washington-nationals-celebration-anthem/

I like Bad Bunny’s shoutouts to salsa and reggaeton acts in the sentimental “Desde el Corazon.” Good video too

https://lyricstranslate.com/en/desde-el-coraz%C3%B3n-heart.html

That’s a 2018 song I think

https://youtu.be/7LZIrKG2EPE

Saxophonist, composer, arranger, orchestra leader and educator Ray Santos became widely known in the 1990s for arranging the Oscar-nominated theme song for the movie The Mambo Kings. The Julliard-trained Nuyorican musician, who died on Thursday (Oct. 17) at age 90, was himself a mambo king.

Santos started out playing Latin big band music at resorts in upstate New York's Catskills, and performed with Machito’s orchestra at New York's city's Palladium in the 1950s. Over his long career he collaborated with Eddie Palmieri, Tito Puente, Tito Rodríguez, Paquito D’Rivera and many others.

He won a Grammy award with Linda Ronstadt for her 1992 album Frenesí. Recently, he had arranged Jon Secada’s 2017 album tribute to Beny Moré, To Beny Moré With Love -- Santos had previously worked with the great Cuban musician himself.

https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/latin/8533458/ray-santos-dead-latin-music-maestro-dies

Chilean singer Mon Laferte staged a protest at last night's Latin Grammys. Photo is NSFW, so search it up for yourself, but she wrote the words "En Chile Torturan Violan Y Matan" on her chest and dropped her top on the red carpet. (She later won Best Alternative Album.)

She’s got a new political song out too, I read. It’s with Puerto Rican Guaynaa.

Rosalia won Latin Grammys album of the year; Pedro Capo -"Calma" song of the year (the remix w/ Farruko also won an award); Bad Bunny got best Urban album; J Balvin & Rosalia best urban song for "Con Altura"; best salsa album was Tony Succar- Mas De Mi; Andres Cepeda got best traditional tropical album; Chucho Valdes -Jazz Bata 2 got best Latin Jazz

https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/latin/8543699/latin-grammys-2019-winners-list

Tensions Over Genres and Generations Linger at Latin Grammys
The Spanish pop avant-gardist Rosalía was a big winner at the ceremony, where reggaeton and Latin trap artists were snubbed in the major categories.

https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/15/arts/music/latin-grammys.html

Bad Bunny did "Callaita" with an orchestra . Video link in Rolling Stone story

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-latin/bad-bunny-performs-callaita-latin-grammys-913070/

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-latin/reggaeton-latin-grammys-progress-bad-bunny-j-balvin-912872/

J Balvin and some others did not go to the awards.

“There is a history that dates back many years where our genre has been denigrated,” Balvin explained. “I don’t agree with [the Academy] using us for ratings,” he added. “And then [us] not going home with what we deserve.”

Fellow superstar and frequent collaborator Bad Bunny echoed Balvin’s words in the press room following Thursday’s Grammys ceremony. “There are people who [must] accept that reggaeton is a genre that has been going for more than two decades,” Bad Bunny said pointedly. “Whether you like it or not … we are [the ones] representing Latinos worldwide.”...

Folks mad on twitter that Sech’s “Otro Trago” didn’t win a song award and lost to European Spaniard Rosalía

I listened to that Sech song today. It's bad. Well, it's generic pop-reggaeton that makes it seem like nothing's happened in the genre in a half-dozen years or more (autotune, in-da-club video, placeholder lyrics about love and heartbreak, etc., etc.). I'm not surprised that it's very popular, but do people actually think it's better than Rosalía's work (and when I say that I'm including both her songs and her videos as a whole package)? I mean, I don't even like Rosalía's post-album singles that much but even those songs are much better than anything I've heard from Sech. The dude is a dime a dozen to my ear, and the fact that he's currently popular says nothing about the quality of his work. Or am I wrong?

i don't get "otro trago" myself but given that apparently this is not the first time ppl have questioned its lack of exposure or plaudits in some corners compared to what's readily afforded to, e.g., rosalía -- when, as you mention, there are scores of other aesthetically similar tunes that could be at the center of similar complaints -- tells me that there's more to it than i'm attuned to

i wouldn't say most of rosalía's recent singles are better than it tho. on some level i feel like some of the adulation she's being heaped with in recent months is from ppl who felt like they were a bit late to get on the hypetrain and are consequently responding more to her overall catalog and strength of musicianship than specifically to her recent work, much of which is uninspiring

The “Otro Trago” Remix is better than the original , but yeah it may not be the best choice to use to make the point re reggaeton and Latin Grammys choices

Rolling Stone writer Esposito and headline re announcement of main Grammys--

Latin Music Is Being Quarantined at the 2020 Grammys
Rosalía is the only Spanish-language artist to break into a general category — the rest are castaways

Things seemed to look up in 2019 when “I Like It,” the Latin trap crossover hit by Cardi B, J Balvin and Bad Bunny, received the nomination for Record of the Year. But in spite of its skyrocketing revenue and growing ubiquity in anglophone pop culture — with support from bicultural Latina superstars like Cardi, Camila Cabello and Selena Gomez — Latin music will be excluded from the most prestigious Grammys categories, which include Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Album of the Year.

In 2020, Catalan avant-pop star Rosalía will be the only Spanish-language recording artist to break into the general category that is Best New Artist. Though the Academy has previously honored artists who’ve performed in Spanish, such as Puerto Rican rocker José Feliciano and Ecuadorian-American diva Christina Aguilera, the Best New Artist award has historically gone to those who primarily record in English. A win for Rosalía in this category would be an unprecedented win for Spain, as well as the Latin music industry, which has embraced her over the last two years.

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-latin/latin-music-2020-grammys-rosalia-bad-bunny-j-balvin-914642/

https://remezcla.com/lists/music/nuevo-noise-12-songs/

So much music to keep up with

yes

Not really seeing Latinx acts on many year end lists. Not many Spain acts either, ha ( she has made a few).

So someone opened a new jazz club in Baltimore recently and they're busy bringing acts to town-- NYC Latin jazz pianist Eddie Palmieri is there tonight/Thursday through Sunday; and he's gonna be back there in 2 weeks for 4 nights as well.

Caramanica in NY Times lists Bad Bunny and Romeo Santos on his year end list. Jon Pareles has ILe on his.

https://remezcla.com/lists/music/50-best-songs-by-latinos-in-2019/

A little of everything but mainly reggaeton

Ozuna’s new album is called Nibiru. I wasn’t feeling the string of singles that preceded it all that much and have been enjoying him more on his features this year, but the album is sounding really good.

Loving the skippy beat in “Fantasía” (there’s not enough of it actually): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYwzpYh7dio

Fun track with Diddy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNKnxO7wAeU
Ozuna ft. Diddy & DJ Snake • Eres Top (working title “I Need A Top, Part 2”)

(pretty sure this is one of those Illuminati videos I keep hearing about)