by Larnies Bowen
Wondering what I’m listening to down here in PTY? Well today’s post is a collection of some of the most popular dancehall/Reggae-Soca songs that you’ll hear on the radio and in the discotecas. This entry’s entitled “Plena Playlist” because Panamanians often refer to Spanish Reggae as “plena.” The term literally means “hit song,” but perhaps due to Spanish Reggae’s overwhelming popularity, the genre has come to be popularly referred to Plena as well. Plena has a number of sub-genres such as Romantic Reggae, Roots & Culture (think Bob Marley), Dancehall (think Beenie Man), and Reggae-Soca.
Please keep in mind that these songs are not representative of the entire genre of Spanish Reggae, rather this is its more commercial side. You can expect many more Plena Playlists in the future, but in the meantime, you can check out the websites on my blogroll, to hear more Plena.
1. “Gracias a Dios” — Mach & Daddy
This song tops the list because it is (still) hands down one of my favorite joints out right now. You may already be familiar with Mach & Daddy thanks to “La Botella” (a song about drowning the pains of an unrequited love with copious amounts of liquor) which blew up about two years ago in Latin America and the US. Like Botella, “Gracias a Dios” talks about getting over an unfaithful lover. My favorite line is “Ahora te toca a ti sufrir como sufrí yo (Now it’s your turn to suffer like I suffered).” Ouch. I guess they have a knack for turning painful experiences into hits…
Listen to clip: Gracias a Dios
2. “C***** de su Madre” — DJ Black
I’m not sure DJ Black himself knew the impact this song would have. Everyone from my 85 year-old friend Lilia from SAMAAP (a West Indian Panamanian org) to people at the US embassy knows (and secretly loves) this song. Delivered over a catchy party riddim, the lyrics to “C***** de su Madre” offer a scathing critique of the economic growth that has served only to reinforce and in fact increase the gap between the upper and lower classes. (Please note that Panama has a pretty negligible middle class). Through his repetition of an expletive (C*****) that is a staple of Panamanian colloquial speech, DJ Black effectively captures the streets’ sentiments: namely frustration and anger. Long gone are the days when $200 can get you a decent one bedroom apartment in the city, yet the minimum wage remains at a mere $300/month. “C***** de su madre” covers it all: corrupt politicians, the disturbingly low salaries, the numerous luxury condos in construction, the high cost of gasoline, taxi drivers’ refusal to serve black customers late at night, police offers harassing you to show your cedula (ID), etc.
Listen to clip: C***** de su Madre
3. “Para mis Soldados” — Danger Man
On February 21, 2008 Panama lost one of its most beloved rapeadores, Danger Man. The posthumously appointed Rey del Ghetto (the King of the Ghetto), was shot four times during a visit to see family in the Don Bosco neighborhood of Panama City. Few reggueseros have been violently murdered. (I only know of one other Plena artist to reach a similar fate—Papa Chan). In light of this tragedy, “Para mis Soldados” has become sort of the anthem of his grieving supporters. Unfortunately, I did not get a chance to interview him personally, although I have been speaking with others, about the impact of his death and his long career.
Listen to clip: Para Mis Soldados
4. “Martes de Galería” — El Roockie f. De La Ghetto
El Buay El Roockie is one of Panama’s favorite and most successful Reggueseros. And he is definitely one of my favorite artists, period. He was recently signed to Machete Records, and his latest album Semblante Urbano was produced by the famous Reggaeton duo Luny Tunes. While I prefer more of the old school Roockie (especially his Formula Cruda album), I really like this duo with Puerto Rican De la Ghetto, probably because it’s the closest thing to R&B out here…
Listen to clip: Martes de Galería
5. “Sientan el Boom” — Danger Man
With gunshots as accents and a hot Dancehall riddim as the base, el Rey del Ghetto once again proffers controversial lyrics in which he calls his enemies homosexuals, threatens their lives, and boasts about his sexual prowess all in sixteen bars. Such inflammatory content is precisely what propelled Danger Man to fame and contributed to his overwhelming popularity. To be honest, I was very hesitant to put this song on the playlist, because I don’t want to contribute to the negative image Spanish Reggae already has in too many people’s minds. However, this is one side of Plena that just happens to be immensely popular. One of the questions I seek to answer through my research is why this particular type of Reggae has become so popular, especially among the younger folk.
6. “Oiga Morena” — Comando Tiburón f. Nenito Vargas.
“Oiga Morena” is a reggaeton cover of a típico song by Luis Perez. The chorus roughly translates to “Listen black girl, I want to know why you don’t like me.” Crazy right? Well in Panama (and many other places in Latin America from what I understand) it’s common and acceptable to openly refer to someone’s race. I’ve been called “morenita” and “chombita” (young black woman/girl) countless times by black, brown, and white Panamanians alike.
7. “Cocobola de la V*****” — Japanese
This song by one of Danger Man’s best friends, pokes fun at “cocobola” (bald) women who wear wigs and other hair extensions.
8. “Un Accidente” — Murda Cat
This song is about a woman who is so beautiful she can cause an accident. And you’ll notice that it features the same riddim as “Cocobola de la Ver***” as is typical with Jamaican and Panamanian Dancehall.
9. “Quemona Vete” — Comando Tiburon, Phantom, Principal. Another song about an unfaithful lover set to a hot Reggae-Soca riddim. This song is fairly old but it’s still one of my faves and definitely still gets spins in the clubs.
Click here to email Larnies with your questions or comments
The views and information presented are the Fulbright grantee’s own and do not represent the Fulbright Program or the U.S. Department of State.
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