If you love regueton, you might think of Puerto Rico as the genre’s birthplace. But in recent years, Medellin has taken center stage, becoming a regueton hub that produces global hits, shapes the sound of Latin urban music, and launches international stars. How did this transformation happen?

How Medellin Became the Regueton Capital

The early 2000s saw Medellin at a crossroads. The city was moving away from a violent past, and young artists were looking for a new voice. Inspired by Puerto Rican regueton, local musicians started experimenting, blending the genre’s beats with Medellin’s storytelling tradition.

By the 2010s, Medellin had built a full industry around regueton—recording studios, producers, and business-minded artists who knew how to take their sound global. Today, the city is home to some of the most influential names in Latin music.

Medellin’s Influence on the Global Regueton Scene

The Medellin regueton influence extends far beyond Colombia. Many international artists now come here to record, drawn by Medellin’s unique fusion of rhythms and its world-class production quality. Medellin’s take on regueton is smoother, more melodic, and heavily influenced by Latin pop and electronic music.

Streaming platforms have played a key role in this shift. With YouTube and Spotify breaking geographic barriers, Medellin-based artists no longer needed Puerto Rico or Miami to succeed. They could launch hits directly from their city—and the world was listening.

Key Moments in Medellin’s Regueton History

 • 2006-2012 – Artists like J Balvin and Maluma emerge, refining Medellin’s regueton sound.

 • 2015-2018 – Medellin becomes a global regueton powerhouse with hits like “Ginza” and “Felices los 4.”

 • 2019-Present – New stars like Karol G and Feid rise, cementing Medellin’s dominance in urban Latin music.

Regueton Icons from Medellin

Several artists have been instrumental in shaping Medellin’s regueton scene:

 • J Balvin – A global trendsetter who helped regueton reach new audiences.

 • Maluma – Known for blending regueton with Latin pop.

 • Karol G – One of the leading female voices in the genre.

 • Feid – A rising star with a unique sound that’s redefining regueton.

 • Ryan Castro – Represents the raw, street-style regueton that Medellin is known for.

 • Blessd – A young talent bringing fresh energy to Medellin’s urban music scene.

 • Ovy on the Drums – One of the most influential producers shaping the sound of modern regueton.

The Future of Regueton in Medellin

Medellin’s role in regueton isn’t fading—it’s evolving. With top producers, streaming dominance, and a culture that embraces urban music, the city is shaping what regueton will sound like in the next decade.

Could Medellin lead the next big shift in Latin music? One thing is certain: the city isn’t just following trends—it’s creating them.