When the unmistakable dembow rhythm fills a room — layered with bass, drums, and fire — you’re not just hearing a party track. You’re feeling a centuries-old connection to African culture, history, and spirit. Reggaetón may be a Latin genre, but at its core, it is deeply Afro-Caribbean — shaped by Black voices and rooted in African musical tradition.

From the streets of Panama and Puerto Rico to the dancefloors of Michigan, reggaetón’s rhythm is a reminder that Black culture is not just part of the story — it is the story.

The African Roots of Reggaetón

Reggaetón wouldn’t exist without the African diaspora. The genre’s signature dembow rhythm — the “boom-ch-boom-chick” beat — traces back through Jamaican dancehall, which in turn is born of West African drumming traditions brought across the Atlantic during the era of slavery.

These rhythms survived colonization, cultural erasure, and oppression, showing up again and again in the music of enslaved Africans and their descendants — from Cuba’s rumba to Puerto Rico’s bomba, to Panama’s reggae en español.

“Our rhythms are ancient. Every beat carries memory.”
– Tego Calderón

Black Reggaetón Icons Who Built the Genre

El General (Panama)

“The Godfather of Reggaetón”

Before “reggaetón” even had a name, El General was breaking barriers with his Spanish-language reggae hits like “Muévelo” and “Te Ves Buena.” A proud Afro-Panamanian, he fused Jamaican dancehall with Latin rhythm and helped plant the seeds for the genre’s explosion in Puerto Rico.

Fun Fact: Panama was a crucial hub for Afro-Caribbean workers during the building of the Panama Canal — many brought Jamaican music and culture with them, including reggae and sound system culture.

Tego Calderón (Puerto Rico)

“The Rebel Voice of Afro-Caribbean Pride”

With a flow as raw as his message, Tego Calderón gave reggaetón something few others dared to: consciousness. He put Blackness, identity, and struggle at the center of his music.

His debut album El Abayarde changed the game — not just musically, but socially. He made reggaetón unapologetically Afro-Latin.

“I’m Black, and I’m proud of my roots. My music reflects that.” – Tego Calderón

Ivy Queen (Puerto Rico)

“La Reina del Reggaetón”

As a woman in a male-dominated genre, Ivy Queen had to fight for every inch of respect — but she did it with Afro-Caribbean energy, bold lyricism, and undeniable talent. She doesn’t always get called a Black icon, but her heritage is Afro-Caribbean, and her flow reflects deep African rhythmic traditions.

Tracks like “Quiero Bailar” and “La Vida Es Así” are feminist anthems built on Afro-diasporic cadences.

Don Omar (Puerto Rico)

“The Voice of Power and Praise”

With a vocal style rooted in gospel and African spiritual traditions, Don Omar brought theatrical intensity and emotional range to reggaetón. His background as a church singer and his Afro-Caribbean lineage shine through in every booming verse.

Hits like “Dale Don Dale” and “Pobre Diabla” reflect that blend of barrio grit and ancestral soul.

Sech (Panama)

“Afro-Panamanian Soul for the New Era”

Sech has brought reggaetón into a new era — smooth, melodic, and deeply emotional. As one of the most visible Afro-Latino artists in mainstream reggaetón today, he’s not just representing — he’s reclaiming space in a genre that too often sidelines Black artists.

With hits like “Otro Trago,” Sech blends reggaetón with R&B and soul — all grounded in Afro-Caribbean rhythm.

“I represent the Black kids who never saw themselves on TV. We’re here now.” – Sech

Why This Legacy Matters

Every beat of reggaetón is built on the shoulders of African rhythm and Black genius. The dembow pattern, call-and-response vocals, the swagger, the drums — all of it reflects centuries of tradition carried across oceans and sustained through resistance.

At venues like Dabney & Co., where music tells stories and every night is a celebration of Black musical heritage, reggaetón plays its part in a much bigger cultural tapestry. It's not just for dancing — it’s for remembering.

Experience the Rhythm at Dabney & Co.

Here at Dabney & Co., we honor Black musical legacies across genres — from the soul of gospel to the heat of reggaetón. Whether you’re sipping a cocktail in the groove of a slow dembow or dancing to a Tego classic, you’re part of a living tribute to the rhythms of the African diaspora.