It doesn’t matter how you break it down, reggaeton is one of the most popular styles of music on the planet. The genre’s stars are some of the biggest in the industry – Bad Bunny has been the world’s most streamed artist for two years running – and their hits have quickly become international supernovas, played in every country imaginable. Reggaeton is a global phenomenon and a commercial force that has changed the Latin music business, despite its naysayers, and shows no signs of slowing down.
The genre also represents a rich cultural history, filled with stories of migration, resistance and celebration. The music has deep roots in Panama, where black communities in the eighties and nineties pioneered reggae. in spanish tracks that traveled the globe and captured people’s imaginations. Those sounds flourished in Puerto Rico, in particular, and flourished in the island’s underground in the nineties, eventually exploding into Latin America and the rest of the world. So many songs – be it classic deep cuts VeliKa BEACH mixtapes, or top-breaking records from recent years – are a reflection of the genre’s complex histories and intricate evolutions.
Narrowing down the 100 greatest reggaeton songs of all time was no easy feat. The reggaeton canon spans decades and continents, and branches out into all kinds of music—bachata, EDM, hip-hop, salsa, and more. Some people may debate whether some songs here belong on a reggaeton list; however, there were some reggae en español, dembow and underground rap classics from pioneers such as Nando Boom, El General and Latin Fresh that were so fundamental, we found it impossible to keep them away.
We also had input from all sides of the music business. To make our list, we’ve gathered a panel of critics, experts and music industry veterans. Those voters included:
Kat Bouza, Senior News Editor, Rolling Stone
Ecleen Luzmila Caraballo, writer and editor
Jon Dolan, Commentary Editor, Rolling Stone
Richard Duran, Rolling Stone in Spanish
Katelina “Gata” Eccleston, reggaeto history
Veronica Bayetti Flores, music journalist
Simon Vozick-Levinson, Deputy Music Editor, Rolling Stone
Julyssa Lopez, senior music editor, Rolling Stone
Jennifer Mota, music historian and journalist
Moises Mendez II, culture reporter
Diego Ortiz, Rolling Stone in Spanish
Jorge PabonMollusk TV
Jerry Pullés, Latin music programmer, Apple Music
AJ Ramos, Latin US and Latin American artistic relations manager, YouTube
Maykol Sanchez, Head of Artist & Label Partnerships, LATAM & Latin USA, Spotify
Gary Suarez, music journalist
Tainy, producer
Lucas Villa, music journalist
Antonio Vazquez, Head of Latin American Publishing – Spotify
Chente Ydrach, host
The genre is complex; she continues to thrive and flourish in ways that surprise even her biggest fans. As the years go by, we’re sure the songs will take on new meanings and the new ones will change the course of the genre. For now, here they are Rolling StoneThe 100 Greatest Reggaeton Songs of All Time.
