The Ten Best Reggaeton Songs of the Last Half Decade: A Survival Guide in the Age of Pitbull
3. "Ayer La Vi" -- Don Omar
Don Omar, otherwise known as "El Rey," experienced somewhat of a fall from grace after being catapulted to stardom at the climax of the U.S. love affair with reggaeton -- including a desperate song about MySpace. (Hey, it happens to the best of us.) "Ayer La Vi" is the stuff of comebacks. Most attempts at slowing down the quick reggaeton clip come off as cheap, tinny and loveless. But Don Omar labors us through a thick gravel of blood and beat, forcing us to grind even harder than before. For the (almost as excellent) lighthearted version, see Don Omar's "Salió el Sol," a particular favorite of the study-abroad crowd. And watch him go even slower/harder, with Tego of course, on "Bandolero."
2. "Cinco Letras" -- Alexis y Fido
This duo was cut from the same cloth as the legendary Wisin y Yandel (don't worry, they're just around the corner), but never found the same success. That's probably because Alexis y Fido aren't as great; few are. Still, with the unexpected release of one frighteningly catchy "Cinco Letras" in late 2009, these understudies slid in for the save -- breaking a funky spell of bad reggaeton that was starting to jinx the era. Maybe now we can begin to forgive them for 2006's "Agarralé el Pantalon." (We'd link, but you're definitely better off in the dark.)
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