Watch Straight Outta Puerto Rico: Reggaeton's Rough Road to Glory

Straight Outta Puerto Rico: Reggaeton's Rough Road to Glory is a documentary film that was released in 2008. The film captures the emergence and rise of reggaeton music in Puerto Rico, and the struggles that the genre faces in gaining recognition and respect in the global music industry. The film features interviews with some of the most important figures in reggaeton at the time, including Tego Calderon, Luny Tunes, Don Omar, and Daddy Yankee. These artists share their personal experiences with the genre, recounting the challenges they faced while trying to break into the music industry.

The film also explores the roots of reggaeton, delving into the African and Caribbean influences that can be heard in the beats and rhythms of the music. The filmmakers highlight the role of Puerto Rico in the development of reggaeton, and the importance of the genre as a cultural expression for the island's youth.

Throughout the film, the artists and producers featured offer candid and honest insights into the struggles that reggaeton faced in the early 2000s. They talk about the resistance they encountered from mainstream media, which refused to give the genre airplay or recognition. They also discuss the legal battles they faced, including copyright issues and censorship.

Despite these challenges, however, the artists featured in the film remained committed to their vision and continued to push reggaeton forward. They discuss the collaborations and partnerships that helped them to gain traction in the music industry, and the eventual breakthrough success of the genre on a global scale.

The documentary also explores the impact that reggaeton has had on Puerto Rican culture, including the ways in which it helped to foster a sense of national identity and pride. The film features footage of reggaeton performances and street parties, capturing the energy and excitement of the genre as it was taking hold in Puerto Rico.

Overall, Straight Outta Puerto Rico offers an intimate and insightful look at the rise of reggaeton music and the challenges that it faced along the way. Through the voices of the artists, producers, and fans who helped to shape the genre, the film offers a unique perspective on the power of music to bring people together and to create change.

Straight Outta Puerto Rico: Reggaeton's Rough Road to Glory is a music movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 9 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6.