Reggaeton originated from the blending of Jamaican music such as reggae and dancehall with Latin American genres like bomba and plena, as well as hip hop. While its roots can be traced to Panama, where Jamaican music mixed with local styles, reggaeton grew popular in Puerto Rico, with artists like Vico C and Daddy Yankee releasing influential early recordings in the 1980s-2000s that helped establish reggaeton globally. There is debate about whether reggaeton began in Panama or Puerto Rico, as both places contributed to its early development and popularization.

1. Exploring Reggaeton By: Rachel Fontus