Forthcoming from Bloomsbury Publishing (2027)
From Ivy Queen to Bad Bunny:
Behind global sensations like Bad Bunny and Karol G lies a history of migration and powerful expressions of resistance and liberation.
To pre-order, click a link below…
The Sonic Travels of Reggaetón
From Ivy Queen to Bad Bunny: The Sonic Travels of Reggaetón explores the musical phenomenon’s journey from underground Caribbean party music to its catapult into mainstream popularity and success. Exploring historic locales and artifacts central to reggaetón’s history, Ilah Raleigh tracks the dembow rhythm’s deep roots in West Africa and its many migrations throughout the Caribbean and the Americas. Political struggles, economic realities, and technological innovations influenced reggaetón’s spread and successful crossover to the mainstream and its later resurgence thanks to international variations on the genre.
Incorporating interviews with artists, producers, superfans, and cultural insiders, this book reveals a wide range and breadth of talent, from originators like Daddy Yankee, Ivy Queen, Tego Calderón, and Don Omar to the newcomers like La Doña and Gego y Nony, culminating in the endlessly surprising work of Bad Bunny, who leads a new generation of tech savvy, politically astute, and dedicated young artists.
This is not just a book; it is an exploration of the resilient communities and vibrant artists who created this movement. I seek to reveal how reggaetón fulfills many purposes: artistic self-expression, political resistance, cultural reflection, and social catalyst.
Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction
1. What is Reggaetón?
2. The Genesis of Reggaetón
3. Caribbean Migrations
4. Malicious Exports
5. Carnegie Hall by Way of Borikén
6. Calle de la Tanca
7. Mixtapes and Mano Dura
8. From Underground to Reggaetón
9. First Crossover Wave: El Reggaetón Puertorriqueño
10. Second Crossover Wave: El Reggaetón Paisa
11. Third Crossover Wave: Reggaetón Mexa and the Future of Reggaetón
12. The Pinnacle: El Conejo Malo
Epilogue
Bibliography
Index
Beyond the Page
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Global Reach
Published internationally by Bloomsbury, reaching scholars, historians, and music enthusiasts across six continents.
(Image captured by the author, Calle de la Tanca, Old San Juan, Puerto Rico, 2025.)
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Authentic Narrative
Centering 'culture bearers'—prioritizing the lived experiences of the movement's pioneers and the musical narratives they use to reclaim their history.
(Image captured by the author, La Doña at The Parkway, Minneapolis, MN, 2024.)
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Radical Respect
Bridging the gap between the street and the academy to validate Reggaetón as a key record of migration, resistance, and modern identity.
(Image captured by the author, Ivy Queen at Carnegie Hall, New York City, 2024.)
From Ivy Queen to Bad Bunny
❋ Coming May 2027. Pre order here:
Media Inquiries
Dr. Ilah Raleigh is available for media interviews and appearances.
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