See my original Reggaeton playlist or Reggaeton Roundup 2011.

Los Wachiturros – Tirate un Paso

If Junto Al Amanecer by J Alvarez was my top pick of 2011, Tirate un Paso is 2012. It’s irresistible on the dance floor.

Tirar literally means “to throw,” but in slang it’s like saying “to bang” or “to screw” – a crude yet not vulgar way of saying “to have sex.” In this context it’s not saying that but it insinuates. Paso is a “step.” I’d translate Tirate un Paso as the old school hip-hop equivalent, Bust a Move.

Most interesting about Los Wachiturros and this song is how hated they are, even inspiring a proper parody. At the time of this writing the video has almost 12 million views with over 42,000 dislikes to only 16,000 likes. 3-1 negative ratio is similar to Insane Clown Posse. However, nothing in Los Wachiturros lyrics equates to serial killing or other anti-social themes, and they obviously don’t wear makeup.

Another artist who gets similar negative to positive ratio is Wendy Sulca, who’s hated for a similar reason. She sings the traditional music for Peruvian Indians. And as I’ve said many times on this blog, Latin people despise the Indian element in their blood and society. They prefer to see themselves as Spanish.

Los Wachiturros are hated because they’re Latin-looking kids making Latin music – but they’re from Argentina! Argentines are the snobs of Latin America. They don’t consider themselves Latin, but European. So to have some of their own create a reggaeton smash hit is a slap in the face to their nationalistic superiority complex. Not only is it a smash hit, it uses all the reggaeton sound effects: horns, sirens, whistles, and repeating your name in rhythm, WA-CHI-TU-RROS!

The average Argentine has the same complexion, hair, and eye color as your American buddies with Italian last names. On the other hand, all Los Wachiturros seem to have at least one Indians in their heritage. So they’re Argentines who look Latin and hail from a poor suburb of Buenos Aires. Latin-looking Argentines making Latin-sounding music and filming the video next to the Obelisco in the heart of downtown BA. Finally, it doesn’t help they’re so young – boy band age.

Los Wachiturros are hated because they’re a glaring reminder to Argentines that they are Latin.

Cosculluela – Cuidao au au

This one slipped under my radar since being released a couple years ago. A late discovery for me, “Cuidao au au” is the most annoying shit to get stuck in your head since Nelly.

When you first hear it you may think it’s a stupid singalong talking about nothing – like Nelly. But this is gangster reggaeton rapping about gun violence. Here’s the hook:

Cuidau au au, Cuidau au au…
Que no te pille janguiando…
La Glock y el clock corriendo…
Siempre andamos ready pa’ que este fantasmeando.

Be careful ful ful
Don’t get caught chillin’
The Glock and the clock’s always runnin’
We’re always ready to be ghostin’.

Ustedes no hacen nada, nada, nada.

Y’all ain’t doing nuthin’, nuthin’, nuthin’.

A LOT of Spanglish and slang.

Don Omar – Taboo

Don Omar, reggaeton’s #2 all-time artist (second only to Daddy Yankee), put out this surprisingly commercially-viable hit last year. It’s so poppy I believe it could get Top 40 airplay in the States and Europe – a major achievement for a Spanish language song. It may get played on those stations, I don’t know. Gringos let me know in the comments.

The video features footage from Fast and the Furious 5, which was shot in Rio and starred Don Omar. I was surprised a fifth film was made from that franchise. They’ve even made a sixth! There never should’ve been a second. Kids – what can you say?

Daddy Yankee ft Prince Royce – Ven Conmigo

As I said in my last reggaeton post, Daddy Yankee always has a hit in rotation on reggaeton radio. This dance song with Prince Royce isn’t just the flavor of the year, it will be on Daddy Yankee’s Greatest Hits catalog someday.

I’d heard Daddy Yankee speak English in interviews, but never in his music. This song is the first I’ve heard him drop an English lyric.

Daddy Yankee ft. Speedy – Recuerdas

This is an older one I just found recently. It’s obnoxious to many, but I can’t resist Speedy’s hook:

Tu quieres, yo quiero …
Recordar aquel tiempo en …
Que los dos tu y yo …
Nos amamos completo.

You want, I want …
To remember that time …
When both you and I …
Loved each other to the fullest.

Plan B – Es Un Secreto

Plan B is a top 5 reggaeton artist. I loved Porque Te Demoras, but most of these dudes’ songs are too soft. I dig soft music (see Listen to Old Music) but soft songs should come from women. Or men singing like men. I don’t like dudes crying like girls.

You say: But what about your last song by Daddy Yankee and Speedy?

The difference is that Daddy Yankee keeps the bass in his voice. If Daddy Yankee’s on Gasolina, Plan B is on soy milk in this song.

If you like soy milk reggaeton, check out Plan B’s Si No Le Contesto from a few years back.

Farruko – Hola Beba

Speaking of weak shit, speaking of soy-milk reggaeton, Farruko is softer than soy. Farruko is soy milk mixed with soccer, silk, and Downey fabric softener. Farruko is the Chris Brown of reggaeton – the most bitch-made act in the industry.

The video if filmed in Medellin – skyline, models, finca, horses, mullets, tubby dudes.

Jowell y Randy – Aprovechalo

This came out almost five years ago. It was in rotation when I first moved to South America in April 2008. I since forgot about it, but rediscovered.

Aprovechalo – Literally “Take advantage!” I’d translate to “Seize the day!”

Vico C – La Vecinita Tiene Antojo

Another old one, from over five years ago. La Vecinita tiene antojo – the neighbor has a craving. Could be a theme song for Desperate Housewives in español. Sexy one.

Sak Noel – Loca People

Reggaeton radio doesn’t play pure reggeaton. They play contemporary rumba music, so reggaeton mixed with the latest from Pitbull, Black Eyed Peas, and techno. This is one of those techno songs being played on reggaeton radio.

The song’s from Spain but a Spanish chick litters the beat with cute little sayings, “When I first came to Spain…”  and “La gente está muy loca…” and “What the fuck?” – which is aired.

The video features a crazy-packed club. I’ve often said Colombia offers the hardest partying in the world. The only people who know Colombian rumba who disagreed mentioned Ibiza, Spain. Two important reasons I argue for Colombia include:

1. Cheap – liquor and drugs are basically free for gringos.
2. Jail – for a gringo to get locked up in Colombia, he has to be a real asshole.

In Spain, I imagine it costs a good bit of jack to party like I do in Bogota. One of my good buddies got locked up in Barcelona. He told me what he’d been doing – he wouldn’t even have to pay Colombian police in Bogota. He’d have stayed under the radar.

Still, see the video. I don’t like those giant discotecas, but it’s indicative of a serious party culture.

Gunplay – Bogota

This song’s not reggaeton or played on reggaeton radio, nor is it listened to anywhere in Latin America. It’s a Miami area rapper affiliated with Rick Ross, and Bogota’s in the title. Aside from that, there’s nothing Bogotano in the song or video. It would be if the cock were fighting, the horse were pulled by a zorrero, and the girl were a “model”/prepago.

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