Reggaeton artists and groups

criticized the planned layoffs of Puerto Rican government workers, island officials canceled a show featuring that reggaeton duo in San Juan, P.R., its members? hometown, according to The A...

The reggaeton duo led the awards show with six nominations and ultimately walked away with Video of the Year for "Abusadora" and Artist of the Year.

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. -- Mexican rock bands and reggaeton artists were big winners at Los Premios TV in Los Angeles, where the political leanings of the host, Calle 13's Residente, also had some time...

MTV will roll its raucous red carpet across continents with its eighth annual Los Premios MTV honouring the best of the year's pop, rock and reggaeton from across Latin America.

Mexican rock bands and reggaeton artists were big winners at Los Premios TV in Los Angeles, where the political leanings of the host, Calle 13's Residente, also had some time in the spotlight Thursday.

MTV rolled out its raucous red carpet to honor the best of the year's pop, rock and reggaeton from Latin America with its eighth annual Los Premios MTV awards in Los Angeles on Thursday.

Mexican pop diva Paulina Rubio and Puerto Rican reggaeton duo Wisin and Yandel got the first awards at the eighth annual Los Premios MTV awards in Los Angeles.

AP - Mexican pop diva Paulina Rubio and Puerto Rican reggaeton duo Wisin and Yandel got the first awards at the eighth annual Los Premios MTV awards in Los Angeles.

LOS ANGELES - MTV will roll its raucous red carpet across continents with its eighth annual Los Premios MTV honouring the best of the year's pop, rock and reggaeton from across Latin America.

The American Music Awards are not usually of major concern for Latin music fans, but there is an interesting face-off in this year's competition as Aventura, Wisin y Yandel and Luis Fonsi compete for the title of 'Favorite Latin Music Artist.' This list is interesting in that the three nominated artists/groups represent fairly different genres of Latin music. Bronx-based Aventura is known for their urban bachata, a genre that arose from the mean streets of the Dominican Republic and is dominated by lilting tunes of love gone wrong. Wisin y Yandel are currently ruling fans of reggaeton, the rap genre from the streets of Puerto Rican barrios. Luis Fonsi, originally from Puerto Rico but raised primarily in Florida, has been dominating this year's airwaves with lyrical songs that fall right in the center of what's popular in Latin pop. So here's the question: is a vote for Aventura a vote for bachata while one for Wisin y Yandel translates to the continued popularity of reggaeton? Are there more Latin pop fans out there who might listen primarily to someone like Luis Fonsi? Or does the popularity of the specific artist transcend musical genre? I'm not sure of the answer but it will be interesting to see which one of these three groups goes to the front of the line, aided by the web-savvy, voting audience. So I guess part of the answer is: who votes? The American Music Awards will be telecast live on Sunday, November 22 at 8 pm on ABC. You can cast your vote for your favorite at the American Music Awards website or, since you're already here, take the poll below and let other readers know your preference. And, if you feel that your favorite has been slighted and not even made the short list, just leave a comment and let us know who should have been nominated, and why! Which of these 3 artists/groups are your favorite? 1. Aventura 2. Luis Fonsi 3. Wisin y Yandel American Music Awards - Who's The Most Popular? originally appeared on About.com Latin Music on Thursday, October 15th, 2009 at 00:34:43. Permalink | Comment | Email this

There's a little bit of most types of music on the new release list starting with Latin pop/rock by ex-Soda Stereo lead Gustavo Cerati. Then, stay tuned for some cool Brazilian sounds courtesy of Bebel Gilberto, Latin jazz from Poncho Sanchez, reggaeton from pioneer Vico C and a sizzling salsa disc from Moncho Rivera. In fact, looking at the eight albums I selected for this list, I couldn't help but think that if I picked one track from each, it would make an excellent new playlist for this fall. * Album cover courtesy Sony

Caption: 50 Cent , aka Curtis Jackson, and Jerry Ferrara on the film set of HBO's 'Entourage' Los Angeles, California .... 50 CENT thrilled fans with a surprise appearance at reggaeton stars WISIN & YANDEL's concert on Friday .

50 CENT thrilled fans with a surprise appearance at reggaeton stars WISIN & YANDEL's concert on Friday (02Oct09).The duo, comprised of Llandel Veguilla Malave Salazar...

Photo: A suspected drug dealer, second left, is arrested by DEA and FBI agents during a raid at a housing project in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, Friday, Oct. 2, 2009. With assault rifles slung over their shoulders, agents swarmed the complex where the suspected kingpin Angel Ayala Vazquez, who was captured last month, grew up and allegedly launched a drug empire that shipped thousands of kilograms of cocaine to the U.S. mainland. (AP Photo/Andres Leighton) Associated Press - October 2, 2009 - BAYAMON, Puerto Rico - Some 500 law officers swarmed into a public housing project Friday to dismantle a trafficking ring allegedly run by Puerto Rico's top drug suspect, a man described as an aspiring Robin Hood and a patron to reggaeton stars. With assault rifles slung over their shoulders, officers in riot gear raided the complex where reputed ringleader Angel Ayala Vazquez grew up and allegedly built a drug empire that shipped thousands of kilograms of cocaine to the U.S. mainland. Ayala, better known as "Angelo Millones," was captured last month following a seven-year investigation. "It was his domain," Pedro Janer, assistant special agent in charge for the Drug Enforcement Administration in Puerto Rico, said of the Jose Celso Barbosa project, a collection of concrete, three-story yellow buildings in the San Juan suburb of Bayamon. "He lived there his entire life. People liked him. They protected him." [Open link for full story and several photos.]

SANTA MARTA, MAGDALENA : Puerto Rican singers, "Visitante" and "Residente" from the reggaeton group "Calle 13" visited Colombia to produce a short film about Latin America's culture.

At least six clubs have shuttered their doors in recent months because of Tijuana's waning tourism business.

Sirius XM is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with special programming on its salsa, pop, merengue, bachata and reggaeton music channel Caliente.

September 8, 2009 BY LILY MIHALIK As the Monday morning customers shuffled through the star-studded entryway of the Mission District's Ritmo Latino, loud posters of Michel Jackson, and Los Tigres Del Norte invited them to buy their latest releases.

Photo: Residente and Ileana Cabra in 2008 - Morning Star/u.k. - 16/08/09: Puerto Rico's Calle 13 became the latest Latin American export to hit London's music scene last week and proved that this most international of cities will never fail to turn out legions of any nationality for a concert by their compatriots. Arguably the biggest name in urban Latino music, this hip hop and alternative reggaeton duo was beseiged from the very first note by Puertorriquenos - and Colombians, Brazilians and Cubans - delirious at their first-ever performance in Britain. Rene Perez, who calls himself Residente, and Eduardo Cabra Martinez, or Visitante, were joined onstage by their riotous and barely controllable little sister Ileana Cabra for a rapid set of the biggest hits from their short, but spectacularly insurrectionary, career. Infiltrating biting, accusatory lyrics into traditional Latin cumbia and samba sounds, Calle 13 succeeded in storming the Forum in their own frenetic, energetic style. [Open link for full story.]

The 14th Annual Monterey Bay Reggaefest is a 3-day celebration on 3 stages, featuring more than 25 performances blending reggaeton, dance hall, and roots reggae, and over 20 DJ?s. Known as one of the best reggae festivals in Northern California, the event offers activities and enjoyment for the entire family.

WEST PALM BEACH - It's the party of their lives, for their lives: a reggaeton blow-out at the Palm Beach County Convention Center Saturday that brought together hundreds of revelers to celebrate two ...

Latin pop was the big winner at the 6th Annual Premios Juventud Awards courtesy of Luis Fonsi who broke all records by bringing home 10 awards from 13 nominations. Last year’s big winners Bachata Kings Aventura and the reggaeton duo Wisin y Yandel followed with 2 wins. The awards show itself was filled with star-studded performances from the opening by Paulina Rubio through the finale by RBD’s Anahi, who also acted as co-host. It was also an evening that featured the unveiling of new songs as Luis Fonsi premiered his latest single “Llueve Por Dentro” amidst an onstage torrential downpour (which went on way after the number was over -- poor ,wet Fonsi); Cristian Castro unveiled “”Por La Espalda” and Shaila Durcal introduced “Y Llegaste Tu.” The biggest moments of the show came as Marc Anthony and Ricardo Arjona were presented with special awards. Anthony’s was in recognition of his contributions as singer, songwriter, actor and producer; Anthony went on to prove how deserving he was of this special honor by performing a duet of “Recuerdame,” the new single he’s recorded with La Quinta Estacion. Arjona received the 2009 ‘Supernova’ award for his outstanding musical career and followed-up on the honor by performing a medley of his hits with the audience joining in as back-up singers on all the numbers. The special guests were treated royally with comfy-looking couches replacing traditional theater seating although I’m not sure how comfortable ex-Kumbia King /Kumbia All Star Pee Wee was hanging in the air from a cage all evening; Pee Wee served as celebrity DJ. I’ve posted a list of the winners in music. For more information about this year’s winners in Sports, Film, Pop Culture and Image /Style, visit the Univision website. * Photo courtesy Univision

Fresh off the success of their latest album, Grammy-winning reggaeton stars Wisin & Yandel are donating $25,000 to the Habitat for Humanity of Greater Miami.

AP - Fresh off the success of their latest album, Grammy-winning reggaeton stars Wisin & Yandel are donating $25,000 to the Habitat for Humanity of Greater Miami.

HAVANA, Cuba (Reuters) -- Since he swept into power 50 years ago, Cuba's Fidel Castro has been honoured in poems, movies and paintings and now in reggaeton, a form of music widely popular among Cuban youth but not island leaders. Cuban musician Yoandys "Baby" Lores presented his song "Creo"...

Reuters - Since he swept into power 50 years ago, Cuba's Fidel Castro has been honored in poems, movies and paintings and now in reggaeton, a form of music widely popular among Cuban youth but not island leaders.

To record his next hit El Micha, one of the rising stars of Cuba's reggaeton music blending reggae, Latin and electronic rhythms, just has to knock on his neighbour's door.

HAVANA, Cuba (Reuters) -- To record his next hit El Micha, one of the rising stars of Cuba's reggaeton music blending reggae, Latin and electronic rhythms, just has to knock on his neighbor's door. A microphone plugged into an old computer in an apartment in Reparto Electrico serves as the studio.

Reuters - To record his next hit El Micha, one of the rising stars of Cuba's reggaeton music blending reggae, Latin and electronic rhythms, just has to knock on his neighbor's door.

Photo: From the third round on, Miguel Cotto (right) had to contend with blood from an accidental head butt by Joshua Clottey. - AP NEW YORK - June 14, 2009 -- It's never just a prizefight when Miguel Cotto, the welterweight champion from Puerto Rico, headlines a card at Madison Square Garden. Only a select few fighters can sell out this room in a down economy. Even fewer can stir the sort of mania Cotto inspires, with cowbells, airhorns, thundersticks and reggaeton lending to the overall feel of a revival meeting. That carnival atmosphere is only amplified when Cotto fights here on the weekend of the National Puerto Rican Day Parade. Saturday's WBO welterweight title defense against Ghana transplant and Bronx native Joshua Clottey marked the fourth time in five years Cotto has rung in those festivities with a Garden fight during the second weekend in June. With his alphabet belt at stake against one of the top contenders in the sport's prestige division, Cotto did not disappoint. The welterweight champion outpointed Clottey and retained his piece of the 147-pound title with a gutsy split decision. John McKaie (115-112) and Don Trella (116-111) favored Cotto, with Tom Miller (114-113) dissenting. It wasn't a cut-and-dried result -- SI.com scored it 115-113 to Clottey in a bout replete with swing rounds -- but neither Cotto nor 17,734 of his closest friends are going to lose sleep over the details. What matters is this: In his first high-profile outing since last year's defeat at the dubious hands of Antonio Margarito, Cotto reasserted his place in the top tier of boxing's deepest weight class. "I'm here after a questionable loss, everybody knows it," Cotto told reporters during a brief news conference before getting whisked away to the hospital for stitches. "I never said anything about that. I'm never going to make any excuse in any fight." Cotto had lost just once in 33 paying fights before Saturday, ceding his welterweight title to Margarito in July 2008. In that fight, Margarito summoned a superhuman effort to come from behind and stop Cotto in the 11th round. But six months later, Margarito was caught with loaded gloves before his loss to Shane Mosley -- an offense that earned a one-year license revocation and cast doubts over his entire body of work. [Open link for full story in Sports Illustrated Online.]

The Associated Press - NEW YORK - The red, white and blue of the Puerto Rican flag on bandanas, shirts and beaded necklaces. Whirling dancers in sequined outfits. A sonic barrage of merengue, salsa and reggaeton. Ox-driven wagons from Mayaguez among the colorful floats. Most of all, hundreds of thousands of roaring celebrants. Crowds lined both sides of Fifth Avenue on Sunday for the National Puerto Rican Day parade, though one high-profile Puerto Rican was noticeably absent -Sonia Sotomayor, the New York-born federal appeals judge who is the first Latina nominated to the U.S. Supreme Court. Parade-goers said that her nomination had become a symbol of pride for many Latinos. The parade, as in past years, reflected the influence and achievements of Puerto Ricans and Latinos in the city. Politicians again strode up Fifth Avenue, among them Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Gov. David Paterson and New Jersey Gov. Jon S. Corzine. Stars of television, film and music were greeted with cries of adoration. Besides dozens of musicians and bands, the famous included Bernie Williams, Jose Feliciano and Grupo Mania. The king of the parade, salsa star Victor Manuelle, said he was "super-excited and proud" to have been chosen for the honorary title. [Open link for full story.]

The big news this week is all about Aventura. Their new album, titled The Last, has been feeding rumors that the popular urban bachata group is about to split and that this is their 'last' album. Aventura claims it's not true but also admits that Romeo (Anthony Santos) is planning on making a solo debut. I guess we'll just have to wait and see. Also, riding on a tidal wave of popularity, Sony is releasing the first of two planned compilation albums for reggaeton's Wisin y Yandel. Pretty quick work, considering their newest studio album, La Revolucion is only two weeks old. Other releases include new ones from Los Amigos Invisibles, Reyli, K-Paz de la Sierra, Fangoria and more. * Album cover courtesy Sony

Reggaeton might just be the most successful cultural export from Puerto Rico since Ricky Martin.

There's a hearty group of new albums that have been released in the last couple of weeks with something for most everyone. Urban/reggaeton music fans can look forward to Wisin & Yandel's new one, La Revolucion. Bachata lovers get to pick from Hector Acosta or Andy Andy (or both). Pop fans can croon along with Federico Aubele, Yahir or Muza while Mexican music offers new albums from Los Cuates, Los Dareyes and Espinosa Paz. Don't worry, salsa fanatics. There are a number of new albums for you, too. Speaking of salsa, Fania Records has once again changed hands. Emusica has just sold the Fania catalogue to Signal-Equity, the same record company that recently purchased West Side/Seeco. We'll have to wait and see what effect that will have on the availability of Fania's classic catalogue. * Album cover courtesy PriceGrabber

When 50 Cent teamed up with Wisin y Yandel to collaborate on the reggaeton duo's single, "Mujeres en el Club," he may have started a trend, as more urban artists seem to be popping up on Spanish-language tracks.

If you're a young Latino, not into Mexican ranchera or norteno music, find pop a little too canned and reggaeton a little too angry, who do you listen to on...

Panamanian reggaeton sensation Flex won eight awards, and Spanish pop singer Enrique Iglesias took home six at the Billboard Latin Music Awards on Thursday night.

Reuters - The Panamanian duo Mach & Daddy made an international splash with their 2005 album, "Desde Abajo" (From Below). Spurred in Latin America by the infectious soca hit "La Botella," the song and the album developed slowly in the United States, at a time when radio was focusing on Puerto Rican reggaeton.

April 24, 2009, 02:48 am ET · Panamanian reggaeton sensation Flex won eight awards, and Spanish pop singer Enrique Iglesias took home six at the Billboard Latin Music Awards on Thursday night.F...

Panamanian reggaeton sensation Flex won eight awards, and Spanish pop singer Enrique Iglesias took home six at the Billboard Latin Music Awards on Thursday night.

Panamanian reggaeton sensation Flex won eight awards, and Spanish pop singer Enrique Iglesias took home six at the Billboard Latin Music Awards on Thursday night.

AP - Panamanian reggaeton sensation Flex won eight awards, and Spanish pop singer Enrique Iglesias took home six at the Billboard Latin Music Awards on Thursday night.

Panamanian reggaeton sensation Flex won eight awards, and Spanish pop singer Enrique Iglesias took home six at the Billboard Latin Music Awards on Thursday night.

Superstars - including Daddy Yankee, Don Omar, and Ivy Queen - garner international attention, while aspiring performers use digital technologies to create and circulate their own tracks.

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico a ' Puerto Rico police say reggaeton rapper Julio Voltio has been arrested on charges of driving while intoxicated and speeding.

AP - Puerto Rico police say reggaeton rapper Julio Voltio has been arrested on charges of driving while intoxicated and speeding.

April is simply swarming with Latin music events. You can pick music from Colombia to Mexico, from reggaeton to norteno, from tango to salsa and jazz. There's something for everyone...