Before becoming a global phenomenon, reggaetón was known as .
It evolved from "reggae en español" in Panama and hip-hop influences in New York and Puerto Rico.
In the 1990s, the music faced heavy censorship and police raids in Puerto Rico due to its explicit lyrics, which ironically fueled its popularity as a symbol of rebellion. Old School Reggaeton | Spotify Playlist
"Lo Mejor de la Vieja Escuela del Reggaetón" refers to the foundational era of reggaetón—often called the —spanning the late 1990s through the late 2000s . This period transitioned the genre from an "underground" movement in Puerto Rico's housing projects into a global commercial juggernaut. The Foundations: From Underground to Mainstream