Feminist Reggaeton in Spain: Young Women Subverting Machismo Through ‘Perreo’

Abstract

This article explores the feminist potential of the Spanish ‘reggaeton’ movement led by young women through the song lyrics and public discourses of artists Brisa Fenoy, Ms Nina and Tremenda Jauría. These three singers and composers have been categorized as belonging to reggaeton genre, in a context in which Feminism is widespread among young people in Spain. Reggaeton is commonly considered (both in popular culture and academic studies) a sexist musical style, inherently male-centred in the way its songs and its ‘perreo’ dancing style are performed, and also in the pleasure provided to their audiences. Three feminist music projects from diverse backgrounds give voice to the artists themselves and use this music style as a parody and as a way of responding to everything they dislike about reggaeton and society, while at the same time resignifying this music genre and opening up an opportunity to deliver a feminist message.