Reggaetoneros rap for Jesus

The musical genre of reggaeton has been criticized for being misogynistic, overly vulgar, and sexually explicit. For example, one popular reggaeton dance move called perreo sometimes mimics doggy-style sex.

With such a bad rap it may seem impossible to believe that some artists have taken their sound in a different, more spiritual direction. (Note that I didn’t say “better”!) Much like Christian metal emerged from the stereotypically hedonistic heavy metal scene of the 1980s, some reggaetoneros have dedicated their music to a higher power:

"I had everything, but it was really nothing," says reggaetón star Héctor "El Father," explaining his conversion to Christ.

"Not even fame or money could fill this void I had in my heart.
Now I feel a joy I can’t even explain"...

Although he said he would retire from music, last September he released a Christian album titled "El Juicio Final" (Judgment Day).

There has been some criticism of this religious reggaeton sub-genre, however. Calle 13 poked fun at the trend in a song from their latest album with lyrics like "I know my music is profane, but when I stop selling I’ll make Christian music." There are also unique cases like that of reggaeton superstar Daddy Yankee who’s best-known for booty-shaking hits like “Gasolina” though his pastor brother released a Christian rap album last year.

Image- New York Daily News
Online Sources- New York Daily News, Urban Dictionary, Blogamole, Reuters, Wikipedia

Lip don’t lie – Shakira endorses Obama

Eat your heart out Daddy Yankee:

Colombian superstar Shakira says Democrat Barack Obama is the best candidate for president, citing his leadership skills.

In a statement Saturday, the Grammy-winning pop artist said Obama can restore peace and the world's confidence in the United States. Obama faces Republican presidential nominee John McCain in the Nov. 4 election.

Daddy Yankee recently came out to endorse McCain yet both he and Shakira have one key element in common: nether singer has the right to vote in the U.S.

(Hat tip: Guanabee.)

Image- USA TODAY (Shakira performed at an ALAS benefit concert in May 2008.)
Sources- The Latin Americanist, AP, Guanabee

Today’s Video: A rebuttal to Daddy Yankee

It was bound to happen.

Daddy Yankee’s recent endorsement of John McCain’s presidential bid did not sit well with some of his peers (e.g. rapper Fat Joe). Another Boricua rapper- SieteNueve- issued a critical song against Daddy Yankee entitled “Quedate Callado” (“Keep Your Mouth Shut”). The tune does not pull punches against Daddy’s backing of McCain and even juxtaposes his hit song “Gasolina” with the lives lost in interventions in the oil-rich Middle East.

(Video link):



So what do you think of the song? Fair, foul, or absolutely irrelevant?

(Hat tip: VivirLatino).

Sources- The Latin Americanist, YouTube, VivirLatino

Fat Joe bashes Daddy Yankee over McCain

Puerto Rican rapper Fat Joe bashed reggaetonero Daddy Yankee over his recent endorsement of John McCain. In remarks made to MTV News, the rapper blasted his countryman and called him a sell-out after his appearance with the presumptive GOP presidential nominee:

"I opened the newspaper and got sick to my stomach," Joe continued. "I felt like I wanted to vomit when I seen that. The reason why I called him a sellout is because I feel he did that for a [publicity] look, rather than the issues that are affecting his people that look up to him. How could you want John McCain in office when George Bush and the Republicans already have half a million people losing their homes in foreclosure? We're fighting an unjust war. It's the Latinos and black kids up in the frontlines, fighting that war…

I feel real disgusted that Daddy Yankee would do that. Either he did that for a look, or he's just not educated on politics"…

"If he believes John McCain is the better candidate for the Latinos," Joe said, "we could sit down. Even if he wants to get into a debate, we can debate anywhere — New York, Puerto Rico."

While Democratic nominee Barack Obama wowed over 82,000 followers with his acceptance speech last night in Denver, McCain is preparing to announce who his running mate will be.

Image- MTV.com

Sources- contactmusic.co.uk, MTV News, NPR, Reuters, The Latin Americanist

Daily Headlines: August 28, 2008

* Puerto Rico: Daddy Yankee’s publicist denied reports that the reggaetonero originally offered to endorse Barack Obama before giving his allegiance to John McCain.

* U.S.: Controversial Latino artist Andres Serrano is working on a new exhibit centering on crap (literally, not so much critically).

* Venezuela: Ex-London mayor Ken Livingstone visited Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez in order to “act as an advisor” on Caracas.

* Dominican Republic: A representative of the Dalai Lama cited “exhaustion” as to the reason why the spiritual leader cancelled his upcoming visits to Mexico and the Dominican Republic.

Image- AFP (“John McCain (L) is endorsed by Latin recording artist Daddy Yankee during a news conference in Phoenix, Arizona” last Monday).

Sources- AFP, Village Voice, The Latin Americanist, Wonkette, Guardian UK

Daddy Yankee endorses John McCain

Puerto Rican reaggaetonero Daddy Yankee backed with Republican presidential hopeful John McCain during a campaign appearance this morning in Arizona.

Don't believe me? Then watch this:

As one could see in the above video, the musician briefly commented that McCain has always been “a fighter for the Hispanic community… a fighter for the immigration issue.” McCain, in turn praised “Ramon” for being married fifteen years and for “making the right choices” in his youth.

Both men met earlier this month in private with Yankee not committing to an endorsement. Yet McCain spokeswoman Hessy Fernandez said that the meeting proved that “John McCain is someone who can appeal to anybody.”

The locale for today’s event “was carefully chosen” according to Politico since Central High School is the largest high school in Phoenix whose student body is 75% Latino.

Mercifully, neither performed a duet of “Gasolina” though who knows if that’s not in the works for next week’s Republican National Convention. (If Ricky Martin can perform for a dancing George W. Bush at the 2001 inauguration ball then anything’s possible!)

Sources- Political Radar, BBC News, Politico, NESN, From the Road

Juan Luis Guerra leads Latin Grammy nominees

Dominican singer Juan Luis Guerra led the nominations for this year's Latin Grammy Awards. In a ceremony this morning in Miami, Guerra was chosen five times including for album of the year and record of the year.

Not far behind him were Puerto Rican pop star Ricky Martin and hip-hop/reggaeton duo Calle 13 with four nods each. Other notables that were nominated include Miguel Bose, Zoë, Daddy Yankee, and Kinky.

Last week Guerra was announced as the winner of the Latin Grammy's Person of the Year award based on his music and charitable work.

The Awards ceremony will take place on November 8^th from Las Vegas.

Sources (English)- International Herald Tribune, The Latin Americanist, grammy.com

Sources (Spanish)- Primera Hora

Image- VivirLatino