Yesterday local paper La Nacion ran not one, but two articles about reggaeton in Buenos Aires. The first is basically reggaeton 101, mostly paying attention to international heavy hitters like Daddy Yankee and Calle 13. The second has more local flavor, shouting out locals Princesa, DJ Nim, Maestroshao and Cinba along with weekly parties like Zizek and La Cueva del Flow.
Not surprisingly, these articles aren't especially informative or groundbreaking. Even I wrote a blurb about reggaeton back in January when I barely knew my way around the city. But can we really expect the local center-right newspaper to have their finger on the pulse of the underground music scene? At least they mentioned it.
What I do find especially enjoyable is that the author calls the signature reggaeton beat tupá tupá. What is it with Argentinians and onomatopoeia when it comes to describing music? The term punchi punchi is a well-established synonym for generic techno and the cumbia beat has been described as shickishin. Apparently now tupá tupá is also in the mix.
Sure these terms make sense when you take the time to sound them out and compare them to the actual music, but doesn't anyone else feel a little silly? Tupá tupá?
I think I'll just stick to calling it reggaeton.
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