The Influence of Narcoculture on Popular Music: A Critical Look at Reggaeton’s Narco-Messages and Narco-Representations

Abstract In this study, I take a critical look at the presence of narcoculture in reggaeton using as a case study the music video of the remix of ‘Somos de calle’. Specifically, I evaluate whether and to what extent reggaeton’s narco-messages and narco-representations – when they converge with other...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of the Royal Musical Association Vol. 147; no. 1; pp. 77 - 104
Main Author VEGA, OMAR RUIZ
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Cambridge Cambridge University Press 01.05.2022
Subjects
Artists
Daddy Yankee (Raymond Ayala)
Genre
Murders & murder attempts
Music
Popularity
Reggaeton music
Social psychology
Success
United States > US
Puerto Rico
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Summary:Abstract In this study, I take a critical look at the presence of narcoculture in reggaeton using as a case study the music video of the remix of ‘Somos de calle’. Specifically, I evaluate whether and to what extent reggaeton’s narco-messages and narco-representations – when they converge with other variables – could potentially influence an individual’s modes of thinking and behaviour. The study does not aim to provide a definitive answer to the debate surrounding this issue. More than anything, it strives to analyse the extent to which the claim that such influence may occur has scientific merit, in order to advocate further research on this matter. The article also discusses the highly politicized debate that has surrounded this topic in public discourse, and how this has seemingly affected its critical assessment in academia. For the analysis I rely particularly on social psychology literature concerning violent media content and in the areas of persuasion studies and prejudice studies, but I also consider literature from other fields, including criminology.
ISSN:0269-0403
1471-6933
DOI:10.1017/rma.2022.13