Reggaeton music has been around for many years in places like Puerto Rico, but just in the last year has it taken America by storm with popular reggaeton artists as Daddy Yankee, Julio Voltio and Ivy Queen. This genre is a mixture of American hip-hop with elements of Dominican merengue, bachata and bomba rhythm.

Played nationwide at clubs and by radio stations, reggaeton seems to be the fastest growing music craze since early hip-hop in the 80’s. Some say it’s music that can be enjoyed while relaxing or cleaning.

One of the first break through reggaeton songs released in America was “Oye Mi Canto” by Nore, featuring Daddy Yankee and Nina Sky, which was on the Billboard charts for 21 weeks in a row, peaking at No. 12. Unlike this song, most reggaeton songs from Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic are completely rapped in Spanish. But this does not make it any less appealing since the hardcore beats of reggaeton songs would make anyone want to get up and dance.

But not everyone finds reggaeton music as fun to listen to. “Personally, I don’t hear the reggae in it, I just hear the latin music. They always speak Spanish and I can’t understand it, so I don’t really care for it,” said chemistry sophomore, Alicia Davis.

Local clubs are taking heed to the reggaeton phenomenon. This past summer there was a Latin explosion at Club Empire hosted by Big Al of 102.5 KSFM.

Rapper Pittbull performed for the first time in Sac along with reggaeton artists Trucho G and Saoco. DJ Charlie Ramos, DJ Victor Alvarez, and DJ Dem-Bo also were in attendance playing reggaeton all night long.

Club 815L presents “The Movement” every Thursday, which is reggaeton night, hosted by Escobar Productions.

Other local clubs like The Rage and Club Avalon play reggaeton music on a regular basis mixing it in their regular club song play lists.

All arrows point to the fact that whether you hate it or love it: Reggaeton will be around for a while.

Lisa Warren can be reached at [email protected]