Reggae vs Reggaeton
By Alan More
Reggae is a Jamaican genre that originated in the late 1960s.[1] Reggaeton is a Spanish-language genre that evolved from dancehall and took shape in Puerto Rico.[2]
| Reggae | Reggaeton | |
|---|---|---|
| Origins | Originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s.[1] | Originated in Puerto Rico from the Spanish reggae of Panama, during the late 1980s.[2] |
| Lineage | Developed from earlier Jamaican genres including mento, ska and rocksteady.[3] | Evolved from Jamaican dancehall,[4] which is itself a derivative form of reggae.[5] |
| Rhythm | Staccato chords on the offbeats, with the bass guitar playing a central role.[6] | Built on the dembow riddim, a 3+3+2 tresillo pattern over a 4/4 bass drum.[7] |
| Tempo | Typically 60 to 90 BPM.[8] | Typically 85 to 100 BPM.[9] |
| Language | Vocals are often in Jamaican Patois, Jamaican English or Iyaric.[10] | Typically sung and rapped in Spanish.[11] |
Sources
- [1] Wikipedia: Reggae (accessed 2026-10-09)
- [2] Wikipedia: Reggaeton (accessed 2026-10-09)
- [3] Wikipedia: Reggae (accessed 2026-10-09)
- [4] Wikipedia: Reggaeton (accessed 2026-10-09)
- [5] Wikipedia: Reggae (accessed 2026-10-09)
- [6] Wikipedia: Reggae (accessed 2026-10-09)
- [7] Wikipedia: Reggaeton (accessed 2026-10-09)
- [8] BPMCalc: Reggae BPM (accessed 2026-10-09)
- [9] BPMCalc: Reggaeton BPM (accessed 2026-10-09)
- [10] Wikipedia: Reggae (accessed 2026-10-09)
- [11] Wikipedia: Reggaeton (accessed 2026-10-09)
Frequently asked questions
Is reggaeton the same as reggae?
No. Reggae originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s and is built on offbeat chords and a central bass line. Reggaeton originated in Puerto Rico from the Spanish reggae of Panama in the late 1980s, evolved from dancehall, runs on the dembow rhythm and is typically sung in Spanish.
Is reggaeton faster than reggae?
Usually a little. Reggae typically sits between 60 and 90 BPM and reggaeton between 85 and 100 BPM, so the ranges overlap between 85 and 90. Tempo alone does not separate them: the rhythm does, with reggae leaning on offbeat chords and reggaeton on the dembow pattern.
How are reggae, dancehall and reggaeton connected?
Dancehall is a derivative form of reggae, and reggaeton evolved from dancehall. The dembow riddim at the centre of reggaeton was created by Jamaican dancehall producers in the late 1980s and early 1990s, with Steely & Clevie usually credited.
Which came first, reggae or reggaeton?
Reggae. It originated in Jamaica in the late 1960s, about two decades before reggaeton developed from the Spanish reggae of Panama in the late 1980s.