Reggae music began to influence various artists throughout Panama and Puerto Rico in the 1970s. As the Spanish-speaking musicians began to work with the style of reggae, they began to modify it to include more traditional Latin American musical styles.
The vocals in reggaeton utilize both rapping and singing to express lyrics. This is very similar to American hip hop and oftentimes focuses on themes reminiscent of the genre including dancing and partying.
"Dem Bow," the rhythm of reggaeton, is the most recognizable feature of the genre. This rhythm is accented by a combination of traditional reggae 4/4 time with styles from salsa, meringue and bomba, as well as a number of elements found in hip hop.
By the 1990s, reggaeton was being influenced by the growing hip hop market in the United States. It gained much popularity with the Latino market. Artists like Daddy Yankee and Tego Calderon became the most successful of these musicians.
The popularity of reggaeton varies depending on the region and country. While highly popular throughout Latin America, reggaeton has a smaller audience in the United States.