Second Half of 2006 Promises Better Reggaeton

Quinee Butler, Reggaetonline.net - August 08, 2006 - The year 2006 was predicted to be a year that helps strengthen Reggaeton’s hold on the music industry. However, according to fans and industry insiders, 2006 has produced many albums that have flopped so far. There are also a few hidden treasures that have been produced as well.

The First Treasure came in February of this year when Andy boy presented the world with his first solo album ANTESALA, with the smash hit “Latigo.” Rakim y Ken Y’s MASTERPEICE produced many of the first hits of 2006 like, “Down, “Dame Lo Que Quiero,” and “Way, Way”, which was a collaboration with artist Carlito’s Way. BEFORE & AFTER, by Magnante y Valentino was hit and miss. Shaka Black and Tony Haze brought promise with their solo album NO HAY MAS NA QUE HABLAR with hits like “Dame un Beso” and “La Tripleta.” Fans usually sing praises when compilations present hit after hit, but most should be proud of solo albums because this is what defines an artist and will make the genre stronger.

The Most anticipated albums from the first half of this year were LOS ROMPE DISCOTECAS, KING OF KINGS, and TOP OF THE LINE. Fans were divided on just how good or bad Don Omar’s King of Kings was, but the industry as a whole saw it as a disaster. Some say Don tried to hard to cross over, forgetting if the music is good, it will speak for itself and cross any boundary with out effort. “Angelito” enticed many to purchase King of Kings, but some were disappointed by the other productions on the album. Some argue that if King of Kings was not a good album then so many people would not have purchased it. Don Omar’s name alone sells albums, as well as the promise of an excellent Cd. Also the being included in the Fast and the Furious: Tokyo drift soundtrack did not hurt his album sells.

Hector El Father’s Los Rompe Discotecas has not gotten a good review overall by fans. Fanatics fill that with a ghostwriter producing his lyrics; hector could have been a lot more creative. Seems as though the U.S audience looks for skill creativity and integrity in the people they look up to. When it was found that “El Telephono” featuring Wisin, Yandel and Hector was originally produced by, artists, Maicol y Manuel, fans called for a system of checks and balances in Reggaeton. They wanted to know if Maicol and Manuel were given credit for their work, or if Hector is simply making money off of the sweat of others. The answers to this don’t come easy, but fans demand answers before they give their loyalties.

Tito’s Top of the line was a huge success. Fans were impressed with his ability to stand alone, since his separation from Hector last year. Top of the line produced hits like “Caile,” “Mia,” featuring Daddy Yankee, and “Flow Natural” featuring Beenie Man and Deevani.

Now the second half of 2006 is here fans can look forward to productions from Luny Tunes, Tego Calderon, Boy Wonder. Chosen Few II El Documental is due out this fall. The Documentary will once again include a CD. Although Tego Calderon is very visible figure in the Reggaeton Movement he has not produced an album in years. The Underdog is highly anticipated and will define Tego as a versatile Reggaeton artist, who holds fast to his hip-hop origins. Los Benjamins will undoubtedly be the biggest selling album of 2006 as the reputation of Luny Tunes precedes itself. No one knows the official track list or the actual artists that will be included on this album, but it is a guaranteed hit by Luny himself. Regardless of the slow start of 2006, with the productions to come Reggaeton fans hop the year goes out with a bang.

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