K-pop meets reggaeton: 6 amazing collaborations
Posted on 10/06/24 at 08:00
- K-pop and reggaeton hits we love.
- These international collaborations are fire.
- It’s an unlikely match made in heaven.
There’s no question that K-pop and reggaeton have seen a major global explosion in popularity in recent years.
The commercial breakthrough of artists from these genres on the international scene is creating a new musical landscape that is diverse and inclusive.
Although these cultural shifts have been happening almost parallel to each other, it was only a matter of time before these two worlds would collide.
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1. K-pop and reggaeton collaborations: Tropkillaz and NCT 127
Brazilian producer duo Tropkillaz, consisting of DJ Zegon and Laudz, have made their mark on the global music industry with high-energy favela funk tracks such as Anitta’s ‘Vai Malandra’ and J Balvin’s ‘Bola Rebola.’
The São Paulo natives recently brought their talents to NCT 127’s single ‘Ay Yo,’ giving it a more laid-back, hip-hop-oriented feel.
Despite ‘Ay Yo’ being their first official credit on a Korean track, the duo had already influenced K-pop.
Songs like ‘Lalisa’ by Lisa from Blackpink and ‘Buck’ by Woodz used samples from Tropkillaz’s ‘Brazilian Breaks & Bass’ kit, showcasing their global impact.
2. Isabella Lovestory and Le Sserafim
Blending K-pop and reggaeton is proving to be a winning recipe, and one of the visionaries behind Le Sserafim’s ‘Antifragile’ is Honduran singer-songwriter Isabella Lovestory.
According to Remexcla, she helped the rising girl group usher in a new era of Latine-Korean pop crossover by blending neoperreo with a touch of hyperpop.
The song’s furious rhythm, catchy chorus, and empowering message made ‘Antifragile’ an instant hit.
Lovestory’s eclectic music taste, which includes shoegaze and K-pop, inspired her to combine sounds she loves, resulting in a unique and compelling track.
3. Andrés Torres, Mauricio Rengifo and Monsta X a K-pop and reggaeton explosion
Andrés Torres and Mauricio Rengifo — the Colombian producers behind Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee’s hit ‘Despacito’ — have also worked with numerous top Latine artists.
On ‘Magnetic,’ a collaboration between K-pop group Monsta X and Colombian singer Sebastián Yatra, Torres and Rengifo expertly blend their signature Latine rhythms with EDM to create an explosive and addictive track.
he duo also worked with Monsta X on two other album cuts, ‘Love U’ and ‘Happy Without Me.’
Their ability to fuse different genres has resulted in a fresh and exciting sound that appeals to a wide audience.
4. Play-N-Skillz and Super Junior masterfully blend K-pop and reggaeton
Texas natives Play-N-Skillz, made up of brothers Juan ‘Play’ Salinas and Oscar ‘Skillz”’Salinas, are a Grammy Award-winning production duo who have made waves in the music industry for the last two decades.
They tapped into their Latine roots in their collaboration with K-pop veterans Super Junior and Leslie Grace for the trilingual single, “Lo Siento.”
The song’s success highlighted the potential for cross-cultural collaborations, with Leslie Grace noting how these partnerships are becoming more common and well-received by audiences.
Play-N-Skillz’s expertise and innovative approach continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible in music.
5. Lao Ra and Chung Ha
Colombian singer-songwriter Lao Ra loved ‘Demente’ when she and her co-writer Rationale wrote it in London, but she wasn’t sure if it fit her album.
However, K-pop star Chung Ha heard the song and wanted to record it, resulting in a successful collaboration with Puerto Rican artist Guaynaa.
Lao Ra was thrilled that the song ended up with Chung Ha, praising her voice and look.
This collaboration shows how Latine and K-pop artists can bring unique elements to each other’s music, creating memorable and impactful songs.
6. Isa Guerra and tripleS
Isa Guerra, a rising young songwriter from Brazil, has been a K-pop fan since she was a teen and has made a name for herself in the industry.
She gained notoriety by competing in the Brazilian edition of The Voice in 2018 and began releasing music independently.
Last year, Guerra decided to focus entirely on writing for K-pop labels, leading to her debut with the song “Dimension” for Acid Angel from Asia, a subunit of the girl group tripleS.
Guerra’s journey from aspiring artist to successful K-pop songwriter highlights the opportunities that cross-cultural collaborations can provide.
