Sunday, March 2, 2008
Reggaeton and Latino Identity
In this past discussion, we talked about the label of "Latino" and how it generalizes a large group of people. It pertains to regions and linguistics. The term Latino assumes spanish speaking. I found this video on youtube that may be a new form of latino identity. Reggaeton is one of the fastest growing genres of music today. It has swept through countries across the world from Europe to Central and South America. Reggaeton has appeared in many Hip Hop singles which are popular in American pop culture.
Many Latino/as feel a kinship with Reggaeton because they feel that it represents who they are somehow. A person in the video talks about how she feels that she can relate to the music because they speak spanish. I think the term Latino has been so enforced on people that they feel that "Latino" corresponds with "Spanish speaking." Especially the young generation, they see Reggaeton as a form of expressing their "Latino-ness".
I see the Reggaeton movement as a parallel to the Hip Hop movement for African Americans. Since Hip Hop is predominantely black, there is a form of kinship for some black people to hip hop. I feel that it will be the same for Reggaeton as it becomes a larger figure in U.S. pop culture.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
I completely agree with this. This music has been popping up on VH1/BET/MTV alot lately. It is a sense a "latino-ness" for certain people just as hip hop holds a sense of "blackness". In the book she speaks about being latino is a good thing and how it needs to be seen as a positive thing. Well, this type of music is taking a stand for latinos, granted their may be cursing, it still in fact helps bring out latinos as hip hop did for blacks. There are always pro's and con's to good and bad things.
The music industry is always going to be away for people to express themselves. No matter what color someone is, music speaks alot louder to the masses than any politician. Musicians are a political in their own ways of making the music. Reggaeton is definitely made for a Spanish speaking audience. And when people think of Spanish speaking people, they think of Latinos. The music created by the artists can help foster a better positive outlook on Latinos as stigmatized people as hip hop has done for the African American community. The entertainment industry should put more effort into bringing minorities to the forefront since they are the ones who purchase more of it. I look at this way. When This Christmas came out in the theatre, it was the number one grossing movie, even though most areas in the United States did not have it playing in their theatres.
I also agree with this mainly because of what our book talks about with a establishment of a group identity. Establishment of this type of music and things like ESPN Deportes is integrating cultures within America. This is necessary in order for some people to better understand our countries melting pot culture. The music and entertainment industries are always associated with mainstream America and money so hopefully people can learn from this and include minorities in these industries.
-Devere Sanchez-
Post a Comment