NEON16 TAPE: THE KIDS THAT GREW UP ON REGGAETON

It’s impossible to overstate just how far reggaetón has come. From its formative roots in Panama and Puerto Rico in the 1990s to its ascent to mainstream notoriety worldwide today, this urban Latin movement has served as a soundtrack for generations of listeners. With a stunning array of hit urbano singles to his credit and his work with Bad Bunny, not to mention a tenure alongside the legendary Luny Tunes, Tainy seems an ideal producer to mark reggaetón’s impact. This short yet luxe offering captures performances from an impressive array of pan-Latin vocal talents, including Dalex, Álvaro Díaz, and Kali Uchis. “TU AMIGA” rides a taut dembow with contributions by singer Justin Quiles and reggaetonero Lennox, among others. In an overt nod to the genre’s Jamaican dancehall origins and its parallel progress, “LENTO” brings in Sean Paul to vibe alongside Cazzu and Mozart La Para.