A new genre of music called reggaeton is rapidly making waves. The Panamanians started it. Puerto Ricans added hip hop, salsa, reggae and sexy rhythmic beats, too sensuous to ignore. Its history can be found in “Chosen Few: El Documental,” (available on www.chosenfew-eldocumental.com). This CD/DVD chronicles the birth, rise and future of reggaeton. Dominican über producer Manuel Alejandro Ruiz (known in the game as Boy Wonder) carefully details the inception and impact of reggaeton. With over 120 interviews from rising artists like Daddy Yankee, Voltio and the all mighty standout female, Ivy Queen, Ruiz encapsulates the flavor of reggaeton and the cultural pride behind it. These and other artists are not new Jacks or Jills on the scene. Collectively, they have maintained a strong fan base, making them the most famous unknowns in music, until now.

What’s Latin and Jewish and rap, and funky and rock all over? That would be the latest addition to the everchanging world of music, Hip Hop Hoodios. Hoodios is a crossover of Latin descent with Judaism thrown in, creating an original sound both new and veteran fans can appreciate. It goes beyond the hyped up materialism so praised in hip-hop today. Columbian–American Josue Noriega, 29, and Puerto-Rican-American Abraham Velez, 28, have a lot more in common than Jewish roots and a love for music. “Abe and I started the band when I was living in Brooklyn, New York. I’ve always wanted to start a project that reflected both of our cultures,” said Noriega who also works as an attorney and promotes artists like Cuban-American rapero Pitbull and Columbian singer Andrea Echeverri, frontwoman for the rock band Aterciopelados.

“Dale moreno, no pares moreno” o “Abre las piernas, abre la boca, que voy pa´ dentro”, son algunos de los estribillos que conquistan las emisoras, discotecas y salas de fiesta en Estados Unidos, Latinoamérica y España. El reggaeton es el estilo en boga que contagia a las audiencias con el “perreo”...

Rigo Tovar, el cantante mexicano más popular y barrio de los años 80, tuvo una existencia digna de estrella de rock. Su inesperado éxito lo llevo a subirse al carrito del “roller coaster” del exceso y éste a su vez lo transportó a un final de cliché: después de haber amasado fama y fortuna, Rigo terminó sus días ciego, viviendo dentro de un cuchitril en el D.F. y en pleno olvido.