Many of the cornerstones of Latine music and the foundation of the hit songs we hear today can trace their roots to underground Afro-Caribbean culture. From Jamaica and Panama and the creation of reggae and reggae mixes to Puerto Rico, which became known for the revolutionary underground sound known as reggaeton, to the Dominican Republic’s dembow, merengue típico, bachata, and so much more, these sounds are a result of social resistance empowered by music. Naturally, artists from those regions have held on to their monopoly over the genre and its development. OG’s and newcomers alike are constantly innovating the sounds of el movimiento through infinite remixes, curated sound design, and cross-cultural inspiration, all while retaining the iconic booming tambores that make our hearts and bodies jump. Last year, some of reggaeton’s biggest stars like Bad Bunny and Karol G broke records after dropping their respective popular and acclaimed projects. This year, the heavy hitters took a well-deserved siesta from dropping new music while reggaeton legends like Daddy Yankee and Farruko either retired or converted to Christianity, leaving the space proverbially ripe for the taking.
The globalization of Caribbean music has captivated artists across the world, and as a result, those same artists demonstrated the dynamism that can bloom when a genre is examined with fresh eyes. Reggaeton mexa and chileno blazed onto the scene, reviving and remixing some of el genero’s earliest sounds and atmospheric vibes. From classic group collabs like the “Vaquero Remix” to the reimagination of classic tracks like the “Tra Tra Tra” cumbiaton remix, and even bouncy tracks like “Perreando Machín,” which comes layered with the slick Chilango licks that shine above the playful yet paired down acoustics, we’ve only reached the surface of how far new conceptualizations of this revolutionary movement can be taken.
As the Colombian wave did a few years ago, it’s refreshing to hear how different Latin American countries and cultures can broaden the reach of sounds that have become pillars of Latine music and become more diverse. There are so many more stories to tell and fresh ways to tell them, and new players have popped out to claim their stake in the game.
These are 10 of the best reggaeton and el movimiento songs of 2024. – Rosy Alvarez
El Malilla, Yeyo - “B de Bellako Remix (feat. Jowell & Randy, Rockwell)”
Most of what we now consider reggaeton classics stood the test of time for soundtracking our parties and functions, gifting us with a damn good time. And though the global commercialization of reggaeton has heavily changed the genre and how it’s presented in the last decade, a new crop of artists is pushing the movement forward by looking back. And spearheading it is the golden boy from Valle de Chalco, El Malilla, who is concocting reggaeton del viejito-sounding tracks full of that old-school sucería and familiar sonidero elements for the new generation. Following a string of releases, El Mali teamed up with Yeyo for “B de Bellako” late last year, only to reimagine it in 2024 by enlisting the perfect OGs to match their sucio yet goofy energies: Jowell y Randy. With a catchy chorus, distinctive vocal colors, and a bouncy melody, “B de Bellako Remix” is worthy of an addition to an essential reggaeton party playlist for its horny lyrics that make you want to sing-scream them with a gomichela in hand. The addition of Jowell & Randy is genius when it comes to matching El Malilla and Yeyo’s freak, as well as giving a cosign to the new bloods coming up. “B de Bellako,” both the original and the remix, is helping cement reggaeton mexa’s place in el movimiento by authentically recounting perspectives from the Mexican barrios rather than cosplaying a culture they’re not part of. With legends in el género, El Malilla and Yeyo prove that la bellakera is universal. “B de Bellako” is not aiming to reinvent the wheel, or the classic reggaeton kick-snare, it just wants to make people shake ass and have a good time again, and that’s worthy of acclaim. – Alexis Hodoyán-Gastélum
Credits
Written By: Diego Isaac Díaz Gutierrez, Fernando Hernández Flores, Jesus Ramirez Santiago, Joel Alejandro Muñoz Martinez, and Randy Ortiz Acevedo
Produced By: Jesus Ramirez Santiago, Luis Diaz, and DJ Rockwel MX
Record Label: Virgin Music Group MX
2
LOMIIEL - “HAY LUPITA”
A breakout star at only 20 years of age, LOMIIEL has quickly cemented his spot on the list of hottest contemporary dembow acts around. He showed up on Remezcla’s Best Dembow of 2023 list and is back this year with the even catchier runaway hit “HAY LUPITA.” The Dominican young gun seems to have the master key for creating the kind of raucous and frisky tracks that become yearlong staples at parties and clubs, and does so without shedding an inch of authenticity in its sound. Dembow has always stood out for its attitude and unbridled confidence, and LOMIIEL demonstrates that the next generation knows exactly how to continue that tradition with the same energy. — Juan J. Arroyo
Credits
Written By: Marcos Antonio Santana Perez
Produced By: Lomiiel
Record Label: Open Shift Distribution
3
FloyyMenor, Cris MJ - “Gata Only”
Virality can often be a fleeting moment for many, but for Chilean artists FloyyMenor and Cris MJ, their joint single “Gata Only” became the catalyst that converted the collaborators turned musical brothers into some of 2024’s breakout stars. While both artists have had success in their own rights pre-global hit, the track quickly circulated social media to gather 56 million TikTok creations while simultaneously racing to the top of music charts to make them the first Chileans to break into Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs in 25 years. The infectious song wraps itself around the desirous longing for someone’s physical presence that won’t escape your mind while the melody sticks to a classic reggaeton structure infused with the aura of the booming Chilean scene. – Jeanette Diaz
Credits
Written By: Alan Cepeda Galleguillos, Christopher Álvarez Garcia, Christian Yamil Nazario del Valle, and Cristobal Felipe Gutiérrez Toro
Produced By: Yamil, and Decafu
Record Label: FloyyMenor (Under exclusive license to UnitedMasters LLC)
4
Charly Gynn, El Bogueto, Tensec - “Funa”
Though reggaeton mexa has been a movement long in the making, 2024 was the year MCs, producers, and other michelada-fueled supernovas finally stormed the global stage. Rising Tacubaya nativeCharly Gynn delivered her long-awaited debut album La Matatana, tapping a dazzling guest list of icons ranging from homegrown pioneer Big Metra to Spanish trap trailblazer Kaydy Cain. But on the single “Funa,” Gynn struck viral gold with her cheeky – verging on toxic – exchanges with chilango superstar El Bogueto, playing up irreverent side-chick tropes over carnivalesque synths now emblematic of Mexican perreo. The result is uproarious, ass-shaking fun that’ll have you running to the bar for a refill and then back to the dance floor. – Richard Villegas
Credits
Written By: Armando Toledo Rosas, Karla Carolina García Padilla, and Oscar Chamorro Barajas
Produced By: Tensec
Record Label: Tempvs Music
5
Yeri Mua - “Traka”
The makeup artist and influencer turned reggaeton mexa star Yeri Mua is one of the genre’s most prominent faces, and with great reason: she’s bold and daring and backs it all up with impenitent IDGAF comical verses. With “Traka,” she seemingly throws shade at a now-resolved issue with a colleague, reminding people why she’s one of Mexico’s most wanted featured artists of the moment. The fun, booty-bouncing, sticky reggaeton tune paired with her unapologetic verses that go from flaunting her plastic surgery (“Me hice el culo, el doctor me lo dejó chido”) to being on top of her game (“Soy su madre, me tienen que respetar”), the Bratz jarocha leaves one thing clear: she’s not letting anyone come for her throne, and she’s just getting started. – Jeanette Hernandez
Credits
Written By: Kevin Naim García Medina and Yeri Cruz Varela
Produced By: Doa
Record Label: Sony Music Mexico
6
El Alfa, Nfasis - “ESTE”
El Alfa doesn’t only guarantee dancefloor smashers with every new single he drops, but his sticky phrases and melodies seep through and end up becoming part of our everyday vocabulary. Nowadays, you might find yourself singing “¿Este, este o este?” when making a decision, all thanks to El Alfa’s inescapable 2024 collaboration with Nfasis “ESTE,” which became a viral sensation after soundtracking countless TikTok videos of women choosing between clothes, men, or whatever, really. Here, dembow’s biggest star slows the BPMs down to a nasty perreo beat, a more familiar battleground for Nfasis, and they manage to successfully reference Saint Saiya in their highly sexual lyrics. While “ESTE” represents another addition to El Alfa’s long list of hits, it’s also one of Nfasis’ biggest tracks to date, and we love to see it. – Cheky
Credits
Written By: Chael Eugenio Betances, Emanuel Herrera Batista, and Joel Garcia Dominguez
Produced By: Chael Produciendo and DJ Alexis
Record Label: El Jefe Records
7
Bb Trickz, Kevin AMF - “Jálale alv”
From the manic energy that the track exuded from the very first note to the extremely liberal use of swear words, “Jálate alv” couldn’t have been made by anyone else but young, horny, and enthusiastic artists. Yes, frantic tempos and raunch have been staples of reggaeton and dembow since the earliest iterations of the styles, but Kevin AMF and Bb Trickz managed to make it sound exciting again. A lot of it had to do with their ages — Kevin is 16, Trickz is 24 — and it was heartening to hear artists so young make music that appeals to their generation while also pulling el movimiento from the serious business side. Not everything was fun and filthy words, as Kevin and Trickz demonstrated to be skilled emcees ready to set the function on fire and deliver wordplay of the highest order. “Jálate alv” was a song where kids were allowed to have fun, but also reminded us that this genre is — at least in part — supposed to be an out-of-control party — Marcos Hassan
Credits
Written By: Belize Kazi, Carlos Manuel Cortés García, Kevin Moreno, and Lucas Sirera Sorondo
Produced By: Cortess
Record Label: Bb Trickz
8
La Cruz - “Sahara”
Last year, La Cruz blazed onto the scene during LGBTQ+ Pride Month with “Quítate La Ropa.” Since then, the rising Venezuelan star has continued to carve out a space for gay men in el movimiento. After starting out as an independent artist, La Cruz signed with Warner Music Latina this year to release his EP El Nene, Vol. 1. One of the standout songs on that EP is the scorching “Sahara.” In the sexy reggaeton romp, La Cruz sings about quenching his thirst for a fling with another man. After getting co-signs from Karol G, Danny Ocean, and Young Miko, he continues to push boundaries for the LGBTQ+ community in reggaeton. — Lucas Villa
Credits
Written By: Alfonso La Cruz, Geovanni Javier Shasiloa Caza, Jorge Esteban Serrano, Lobri, Joseph Suarez, and Manuel Casares
Produced By: Gio
Source: WEA Latina
9
Isabella Lovestory - “Botoxxx”
There’s been plenty of online discourse around how “smartphone face,” aka having a modern face marked by the latest cosmetic procedures and beauty trends (veneers, buccal fat removal, fillers, etc.), has become more and more common over the last few years. Honduran singer Isabella Lovestory channeled that neverending desire to be beautiful and having an insatiable appetite for decadence into this year’s “Botoxxx,” a perreo-pop fantasy that hits a little different after the release of films like Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance. Whether you interpret “Botoxxx” as pro-body modification commentary or as a take on the cost of chasing beauty, it’s a total earworm that packs plenty of punch from start to finish. — Nayeli Portillo
Credits
Written By: Burke Battelle, Isabella Rodriguez, and Kamixlo
Produced By: Chicken and Kamixlo
Source: Giant Music
10
Álvaro Díaz, Rauw Alejandro - “BYAK”
These two reggaeton favorites are experts at striking while the iron is hot. Between widespread continental tours, highly anticipated releases, and unexpected collaborations, Álvaro Diaz and Rauw Alejandro have conquered the year in the way they do best: through the power of perreo. “BYAK” is a steamy single rooted in classic reggaeton percussion styles but strikes a balance between sucieria and yearning through its use of video game-like synths. Shot in a wintry New York City, los dos dons del perreo strut through the city in ankle-length furs and leather jackets while a mysterious woman oozes sensuality between scenes. Álvarito and Rauw bounce off each other seamlessly, and the contrast of their vocal delivery adds to the magic felt when the duo collaborate. The single, included in Díaz’s latest album SAYONARA, chronicles the “I’m outside” phase of healing from a break-up and made for a memorable addition to 2024’s summer playlist. – Rosy Alvarez
Credits
Written By: Emmanuel Sosa, Gabriel Rodriguez Morales, Jorge Alvaro Diaz, and Raul Alejandro Ocasio Ruiz
Produced By: Slow Jamz, Dimelo Ninow, Kenobi, Alvaro Diaz, and El Zorro
Source: UMG Recordings / Universal Music Latino
