The Rise and Boom of Reggaeton

Welcome to UpRising. We, the good people of MACRO, created this newsletter to be a mixtape for your mind—with content that bounces effortlessly between the intellectual and the irreverent. It’s what you care about, are curious about and for damn sure would hate to miss. UpRising is here when you want to raise a question, a glass, or a fist. Either way, we got you.

As we continue to celebrate?Hispanic Heritage month, UpRising digs into reggaeton: a genre born out of?defiance

Before reggaeton ruled Billboard’s Hot 100, global streaming charts, and sold-out stadiums, it was called “underground” in Puerto Rico in the early 1990s. The genre, rooted in Panamanian and Jamaican riddims, was born in Borinquen. During the reggaeton boom of the early 2000s — led by superstars Daddy Yankee, Don Omar, Tego Calderón, Ivy Queen, Wisin & Yandel, Zion & Lennox, alongside beatmakers Luny Tunes and Eliel — the genre was the voice of the isle’s disenfranchised.

But similar to hip-hop, one of its natural descendants, it eventually caught the attention of politicians who were quick to blame the genre for the Commonwealth’s shortcomings. In 2002, Puerto Rican Senator Velda González proposed an anti-obscenity project aiming to ban reggaeton from the airwaves before 5 p.m. The petition, of course, only made the movement stronger — but it exploded?when Daddy Yankee’s 2004 monster hit “Gasolina” dropped. That?pivotal song was the first reggaeton track played on English-language radio stations. Its video was an MTV mainstay. Between 2004 and 2007, el genero stayed vital with tracks like?N.O.R.E.’s “Oye Mi Canto” and Don Omar’s “Reggaeton Latino.”

Before long, however, the genre grew?formulaic. While superstars kept putting out hits, none reached the crossover appeal of “Gasolina.” That is, until Colombia entered the chat to infuse nueva sangre. By the 2010s, Colombia — the birthplace of Latin pop luminaries such as Shakira and Juanes — began cultivating their own brand of perreo hitmakers. Medellín, similar to Atlanta in hip-hop, started producing acts such as J Balvin, Maluma, and Karol G, who are all global names today. Inspired by reggaeton de la vieja (old school), the South American nation’s brand of reggaeton ushered in a more romantic style that was more palpable for the general music consumer.

In the last eight years, unless you’ve been living under a Goya can, you know?Bad Bunny. Benito took the learnings of reggaeton and hip-hop legends with a twist of Fania’s All Stars, and became the genre’s preeminent superstar. When it comes to status, Bunny is side-by-side with his general market colleagues (Drake, Taylor Swift, etc.),?all without releasing a full song in English.

Today, artists from Chile (Floyymenor), Argentina (Maria Becerra), Brazil (Anitta), and?even the mother country of Spain (Bad Gyal)?continue taking the genre to new heights. ?Long live Latin music. Long live reggaeton.? —Jesús Trivi?o Alarcón

Classic and Modern Reggaeton Artists For Your Playlist

NAME: Tego Calderón THE SKINNY: Tego, who started his career in Spanish language rap, isn’t only a true MC, he’s also the face of the genre’s proud Afro-Latinx roots. MARQUEE SONGS: “Pa’ Que Retozen,” “Guasa, Guasa,” “Dominicana,” “Punto y Aparte,” “Bandoleros” with Don Omar

NAME: Alvaro Diaz THE SKINNY: Inspired by Kid Cudi, the boricua artist blends salacious songs with emo-anthems that connect with his Gen-Z audience. MARQUEE SONGS: “GATITAS SANDUNGUERAS VOL. 1” with Feid, “Babysita </3,” “SIN PODERES,” “Chinita Linda,” “BYAK” with Rauw Alejandro

NAME: Rauw Alejandro THE SKINNY: If Bruno Mars dedicated his life to perreo and could dance like Chris Brown. MARQUEE SONGS: “Todo De Ti,” “Santa” with Rvssian and Ayra Starr, “NO ME LA MOLESTE” with ?ejo and Dalmata, “VERDE MENTA,” “Química” with The Martinez Bros. and Zion & Lennox

NAME: Feid SOUNDS LIKE: Colombia’s latest superstar started as a songwriter for his compadres (Balvin, Maluma, etc.) and has found his lane, which is colored in neon green, his go-to hue. MARQUEE SONGS: “Classy 101” with Young Miko, “LUNA” with ATL Jacob, “Feliz Cumplea?os Ferxxo,” “Brickell” with Yandel, “Le Pido a DIOS” with DJ Premier

NAME: Fariana SOUNDS LIKE: Karol G may be the genre’s current queen, but her fellow Colombiana has been grinding for just as long. She can spit bars you'd categorize as reggaeton or?trap, but as of late she's started to experiment with tropical sounds such as merengue. MARQUEE SONGS: “DORA” with El Alfa, “El Caballito” with Oro Solido, “La Torta,” “Como Una Kardashian,” “BOOTY KILLA” with Mr. Vegas

Autumn Brewing

Whether you want malts, ales, or lagers, Angel City Brewery has you covered on the art of beer-making

Welcome to chef/lifestyle expert Jazz Smollett’s new column, Dinner Party, a corner of UpRising to ponder all things food and culinary culture. Hope you’ve got an appetite!

Los Angeles has a long history in beer culture. The first home brewing club in the country after prohibition was established here, and we have so many wonderful destination breweries, one of which is Angel City Brewery in Downtown L.A. — a haven for art, culture, and beer.

This spot is quintessentially L.A. The building itself is a work of art, wrapped in a multicolor mural of street art. You’ll find a food truck parked outside; and inside the foosball tables and cornhole setups contribute to the welcoming vibe. I learned some interesting facts about beer-making on a recent tour. My guide, Christian, taught me that there are four main ingredients needed when brewing beer: water, hops, yeast, and grain. I also learned additional grain and yeast yields beer of higher alcohol content.

Did you know what makes a beer light has nothing to do with alcohol percentage? It’s actually based on the water. Hard water produces a heavier beer that makes you feel full; a lighter beer is made with soft water and is easier to digest, contains less calories, and makes you feel less full.? After a full education on beer-making (I will be trying this at home!), I did a tasting. Here are some of my recommendations:

BEER: Tropical Light Lager

TASTE: My fave. A little sweet, with tropical fruity notes

BEER: PBEERerry Ale

TASTE: Notes?of pear and lemon juice

BEER: BarrelJuice

TASTE: It has notes of Chardonnay because it was brewed in a Chardonnay barrel

BEER: Tepache Gose

TASTE: Tart flavors with notes of pineapple

Be sure to pick up some of Angel City Brewery’s to-go options as well, especially the limited-edition cans designed by various local artists. I highly recommend catching one of their tours and tastings or checking out the upcoming family- and dog-friendly Halloween event on October 27th. Otherwise, this month is the perfect time to take part in Oktoberfest events or host a Halloween beer tasting at home (parents can wait until the kids are tired out from trick-or-treating). Happy Brewing!

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Take This Audio Doggie Bag With You

“God Ain’t Forgot About Me,” Rich Homie Quan

We still haven’t processed the untimely death of Rich Homie Quan, who would’ve turned 35 on Friday if not for an accidental drug overdose last month. As such, he left behind a 35-track vault of music that features this touching closing number that wrestles with spirituality and mortality. Rest in power, Homie.

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