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How ‘Oye Mi Canto’ Crossed Worlds & Revolutionized Reggaetón in America
Noreaga, Nina Sky, Big Mato and SPK discuss how they paved the way for collaborations between hip-hop and reggaetón acts twenty years ago.
Our 2004 Week continues here with an oral history of one of the year’s most impactful hits: “Oye Mi Canto,” from an all-star cast led by New York rapper N.O.R.E., which crossed cultures and genres and brought reggaetón to new stateside heights. N.O.R.E., the seasoned hip-hop luminary known for his raw lyricism, unapologetic demeanor and turn-of-the-century hits like “Superthug” and “Nothin,” found himself captivated by the infectious dembow-driven rhythm that was commanding the streets of the Island. Below N.O.R.E., Nina Sky, Big Mato, and SPK share with Billboard Español in their own words about how “Oye Mi Canto” evolved into a hit, and how it became the first ever “American commercial reggaetón” crossover smash.
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