It’s time to give some love to one of the most popular musical genres in the world: reggaeton. Born in Puerto Rico and influenced by a wide variety of dance, hip hop, and Caribbean music, this Latin fusion of singing and rap has had countless hits throughout its evolution.
We’re pulling together the 25 best reggaeton songs right here so you can dance the night away.
1. Despacito – Luis Fonsi featuring Daddy Yankee
Chances are great that you’ve heard this one before. If you haven’t yet, enjoy. It became a viral hit in 2017 for a reason. Spending a staggering 56 weeks at the top of the charts, this is an irresistible jam. For several years, it held the YouTube title of the most-viewed music video of all time.
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2. Quiero Bailar – Ivy Queen
This is a massively important song in reggaeton and feminism in general. In 2003, Ivy Queen came out with this one in a male-dominated industry, and she made headlines. The lyrics have empowering messages for women who want to express themselves on the dance floor.
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3. Si No Le Contesto (Remix) – Plan B Featuring Tony Dize and Zion y Lennox
The synth sounds included in this track make it stand out as a special contribution to reggaeton. Using a forward-thinking musical style here allowed Plan B to establish itself in 2010 as a unique artist, even after its break between albums.
4. Safaera – Bad Bunny, Jowell & Randy, And Ñengo Flow
Bad Bunny has been making hits for a while, so we could have chosen any of his tracks to represent his contribution to the genre. This one uses a fun combination of beat changes to keep everyone dancing.
5. Gasolina – Daddy Yankee
Released in 2004, this one is still a fan favorite at clubs. Its endlessly shoutable chorus gets the whole room bouncing every time. When it first came out, this song’s popularity made waves in the musical world, in many ways announcing the official arrival of reggaeton.
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6. Reggaetón Lento (Bailemos) – CNCO
If you’re looking for the softer side of the genre, CNCO is the boy band for you. When they released this in 2016, the world was simply not ready. “Reggaetón Lento (Bailemos)” became the first non-English group to reach over a billion views on YouTube.
7. Hasta El Amanecer – Nicky Jam
This sexy song laments a young woman the singer saw and let go. It’s the ultimate “what if” dance song, complete with catchy vocals. It’s no surprise, then, that it won the Billboard Music Award for Top Latin Song in 2017.
8. Sexy Movimiento – Wisin & Yandel
Mixing high-energy rap with melodic vocals, this song shot up to number one on the Billboard Hot Latin Tracks in 2008. The next year, it won Urban Song of the Year. The song later appeared in the video game soundtrack for Grand Theft Auto IV, further spreading its reach to audiences around the world.
9. Oye Mi Canto – N.O.R.E.
Most examples from this genre will be in Spanish, but this song includes both Spanish and English lyrics. That’s because it has connections to New York in addition to its Latin roots. Don’t be confused, though. This song is definitively a reggaeton jam, and it demonstrates the widespread effect music can have on people around the world.
10. Esta Noche De Travesuras – DJ Nelson Featuring Héctor “El Father“
In 2004, this innovative song combined several important sounds from Caribbean music of the time, catapulting it to the top of everyone’s playlist. It manages to feel progressive and traditional in its beats at the same time, and it’s impossible not to dance when you hear it.
11. Ven Bailalo – Reggaeton Mix – Angel Y Khriz
This is classic reggaeton, with danceable beats, head-bopping raps, and memorable melodies. All of it captures the best themes of Caribbean music and transforms them into a unique sound that is worthy of any party playlist.
12. Tusa – Karol G And Nicki Minaj
It’s not only the collaboration with superstar Nicki Minaj that shot this song to popularity. With ballad-like melodies and the occasional angry rap wrapped up in a fantastic beat, this song is the perfect anthem for women navigating heartbreak.
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13. Tu Pum Pum – El General
Because this came out in 1991, it’s actually from a time before the official arrival of reggaeton. However, the sound is unmistakable, and its influence cannot be denied. It features repetitive lyrics and beats that make it easy for other artists to reference or riff off of in their own songs.
14. Ellos Benia Dem Bow – Nando Boom
Here’s another influential song that predates reggaeton. In 1990, this track hit the radio waves and showed everyone the importance of fusing rap and reggae with more Spanish styles from the Caribbean. Fans of the genre can thank this song for much of what came next.
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15. Pobre Diablo – Don Omar
In 2003, this song about a woman who has been mistreated by her partner is a slower, gentler dance song for the genre. In the lyrics, we learn that a man has caused harm to a woman who now cries for him each night. It’s a deviation from the standard club lyrics, and that makes it stand out. There’s no denying Don Omar’s position as a star, and this is just one of his many hits.
16. No Te Veo – Casa De Leones
It’s a shame that Casa De Leones didn’t stay together long because this track is non-stop fun. Using a blend of calypso and classic Caribbean themes, “No Te Veo” was a favorite when it came out in 2007. It reached 4th place on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart and has been remixed several times.
17. Yo Te Lo Dije – J Balvin
Colombian singer J Balvin released this track online in 2012, and it reached the top 10 of several Latin Billboard charts. In English, the title means “I Told You.” The lyrics tell the story of a man who had a one-night stand. Though he told the woman beforehand that he wasn’t going to fall in love, she doesn’t seem to be able to get him off of her mind.
18. Siente El Boom – Tito “El Bambino” El Patrón
This is a party song, plain and simple. The lyrics are all about having fun and being attractive to ladies. The beat is designed to get you moving. When it came out in 2011, there was no question what you were supposed to do when you heard this: dance.
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19. No Es Justo – J Balvin And Zion & Lennox
In 2018, J Balvin released this melodic collaboration with Zion & Lennox, much to fans’ delight. In English, the title means “It’s Not Fair,” but we think it’s more than fair to include this fantastic jam on our playlist. It was on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart for over two months, to no one’s surprise.
20. Otro Trago Remix – Sech Featuring Darell, Anuel AA, Ozuna, Nicky Jam, Karol G, And 6ix9ine
The original recording of this song is fabulous, but the remix took it to an entirely new level. In this version, each artist gets a standout moment. It’s a 2019 hit that instantly became an undisputed pillar of modern reggaeton.
21. Down – R.K.M. And Ken-Y
In 2006, this anthem for anyone with a broken heart came to be known as “emo reggaeton,” which wasn’t a bad thing for its place on the charts. Another bilingual song, this wasn’t originally meant to be a single, but its unexpected popularity changed their plans.
22. 5 Letras – Alex & Fido
This innovative track uses synth sounds alongside more traditional reggaeton styles, pushing the genre further with every beat. It came out in 2007 and heralded the evolving future of the genre’s sound. (For the uninitiated, “5 Letras” means “Five Letters,” which is a slang way to refer to a hotel. It’s often used as a euphemism for casual hookups.)
23. Chulin Culin Chunfly – Voltio
If you like food, sex, and excellent beats, then this is the party song for you. The lyrics are edgy, funny, and unforgettable. With lines that compare sex to food, it’s sure to get people laughing. This 2005 hit is a must-play for when everybody’s ready to have a great time.
24. Aparentemente – Yaga & Mackie, Arcangel, And De La Ghetto
Some examples from this genre focus more on rap or Caribbean themes. This 2007 jam showcases hip hop in reggaeton. With a strong mix of memorable melodies and gentle rap, this is a great dance song for fans of either genre.
25. Andas en mi Cabeza – Chinco y Nacho featuring Daddy Yankee
This 2016 love anthem is one that celebrates happiness in romance, like engagements and weddings, rather than heartbreaks and arguments. The positive lyrics and the catchy rhythm earned it platinum certification.
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As the Head Editor and Writer at Music Grotto, Liam helps write and edit content produced from professional music/media journalists and other contributing writers. He works closely with journalists and other staff to format and publish music content for the Music Grotto website. Liam is also the founding member of Music Grotto and is passionate in disseminating editorial content to its readers.
Liam’s lifelong love for music makes his role at Music Grotto such a rewarding one. He loves researching, writing and editing music content for Music Grotto.