8. “Oye Mi Canto” - N.O.R.E. y La Familia (2006)

When Luny Tunes released Mas Flow, Vol. 1, they were pioneers in their inclusion of different Latin music styles. Little did they know that they were opening the door for the construction of reggaeton’s pan-Latin identity. 

“Oye Mi Canto” (which of course features Daddy Yankee and his now famous catchphrase) begins, “If you proud to be latino right now stand the fuck up,” the song was absoultely everywhere in 2006/2007.  Part of the reason for the song’s runaway success, I think, is it’s iconic chorus,“Boricua, Morena, Dominicano, Colombiano, Boricua, Morena, Cubano, Mexicano, oye mi canto”. The chorus names, Puertoricans, Dominicans, Cubans, Mexicans, and Morenas. Moreno is a Spanish word meant to describe Black Americans and more broadly dark-skinned people. 

The song is simple enough, it names various Latin countries with a spanglish rap style. In the grand scheme of things, though, we begin to see how the genre’s racial/national boundaries are expanded beyond the Caribbean and NYC. Reggaeton after the mid 2000s reflects it’s more international audience in its way to incorporate any sort of foreign music styles. We begin hearing reggaeton with Tango, Bachata, American pop, and even Indian influences. Arguably, however, in becoming a sort of music of the world, Reggaeton is further dissociated from its origins. Or is it? After all, it’s not Reggaeton without Dem Bow, forever enshrined in any and all Reggaeton is the genre’s Afro-Caribbean roots.