Programme overview
Description
From a unique sound born in the ‘caserios’ of Puerto Rico, through aggressive government crackdowns, gun violence and criminalisation to the mainstream powerhouse it is today, Reggaeton is the genre that refused to be silenced.
This definitive four-part documentary – the only one to secure the talent of Daddy Yankee, who coined the term ‘reggaeton’ in 1994 and whose breakout hit Gasolina propelled the genre to the global stage – charts its rise.
With personal anecdotes, brand new interviews and never-seen-before exclusive archive footage, it boasts unrivalled access to every one of the genre’s biggest artists including the multi-Grammy-winning Bad Bunny, multi-platinum selling Luis Fonsi (whose song Despacito with Justin Bieber smashed global records) and the original queen of Reggaeton, Ivy Queen, as well as Nicky Jam, Karol G, Rauw Alejandro. It might have started on the streets, but with its roots in Jamaican dancehall and New York hip-hop and collaborations with international stars from Beyoncé to Cardi B and Shakira to Drake, it’s become a truly global phenomenon with a continent-spanning fanbase that shows no signs of slowing down any time soon.
Episode 1: Born Underground
The pioneers of Reggaetón create a musical movement in the face of incredible hardship.
Episode 2: The Rise and The Resistance
We explore the development of the reggaeton sound and reveal the powerful forces trying to stop the movement. The genre’s future is on the line.
Episode 3: Reggaetón Explodes
Reggaetón’s first worldwide hit, Gasolina, is released, becoming the blueprint for the genre’s success over the next 20 years. As the movement grows, Colombian artists make their mark.
Episode 4: Reggaetón Forever
Since the release of the global smash Despacito, the genre has produced a non-stop succession of hits. The struggle is no longer about getting to the top but staying at the top.