Latin Urban Music Revolution

The control over the Latin Urban Music Market is changing. Since late 1980’s Puerto Rican artists dominated this music. Artist like Daddy Yankee, Don Omar, Wisin y Yandel, and Cosulluela were the top players. Now that this music had reach mainstream exposure across the world, artists from different countries are looking enter and for a top position.

One country in which this music is growing at a fast pace is the Dominican Republic. In the Dominican Republic Latin urban music is called “Dem Bow” which is the also the name of the rhythm or beat used to record their songs. Two factors that are making this music spread like wild fire: The Internet, and the increase in Dominican communities in large cities of the US and Europe.

The increase of the Internet used among Latinos is the most important factor helping to spread this music. Dominican artist are benefiting greatly from the new uses and social media sites. Internet blogs are another tool used to spread news and new music of unknown artists. The low-cost maintenance of this blogs helps, because the current economic situation of many of the artists in the country. One issue that will become a issue in the future is the piracy.    

Another important factor is the growing Dominican population in the US and Europe. According to The City University of New York (Dec 2010) Dominicans living in this city are on track to become the largest Latino group in the state.  This fact is important since, New York is famous for helping spreading urban music across the world. Europe is another key geographical area for Dominicans artist. The reason is that Dominicans can travel to European countries were immigration laws are less strict. Also the value of the Euro (currency) in the Dominican Republic is higher.  

These two factors are affecting the power that Puerto Rican has over this music. In many cities of New York Dominican Artists are drawing larger crowds than Puerto Rican artist.  Because of the low-cost involving booking a Dominican artist, establishment owners are also opting feature a Dominican Artist for entertainment.

The next big thing that will crown the Dominican “Dem Bow” over that rest of their fellows Latin Artist is a performance of any Dominican Urban Artist on the Latin Billboards or the Latin Grammy’s. We will see next year.