Behind global sensations like Bad Bunny and Karol G lies a history of migration and powerful expressions of resistance and liberation.

This book explores reggaetón's journey from underground Caribbean party music to its daring catapult into global popularity. Exploring historic locales and artifacts central to reggaetón's evolution, Ilah Raleigh traces the dembow rhythm's deep roots in West Africa and its many migrations across the Americas. She reveals how political struggles, economic realities, and technological innovations powered reggaetón's initial crossover, and how international variations continue to fuel its modern resurgence.

Drawing on exclusive interviews with artists, producers, and cultural insiders, Raleigh charts the genre's evolution from the work of pioneering mixtape DJs like Playero to trailblazing icons like Daddy Yankee, Ivy Queen, and Tego Calderón. She celebrates dynamic newcomers like La Doña, El Malilla, and Cachirula y Loojan, culminating in the endlessly surprising work of Bad Bunny, who leads a new generation of politically astute and fiercely inventive young artists.