El Campeon de Reggaeton
by Erin Lamb
posted April 4, 2006

This week I had an interview with Gino "EL CAMPEON", Indy's up and coming Reggaeton artist. Gino has been singing Reggeton for two years, and he is currently working on his first record. While Reggaeton is relatively new in Indianapolis, it has taken over clubs from NY to Miami. More and more Reggaeton songs are been played by mainstream TV and radio stations. You can dance to Reggaeton at different Latin clubs in Indy. Here's the story.

Erin: What's your background?
Gino: Well, I'm Gino "EL CAMPEON". I'm 22 years old (B-DAY Feb. 13th). Born in Texas and have lived with my brother in Nebraska and here (Indy) since I was 13. I was born to Mexican parents so that makes me a Chicano (which means born to Mexican parents in the United States).

Erin: What's the background of Reggaeton?
Gino: Reggaeton is a form of dance music that has become popular with the United States and Latin American youth around the early 1990's. The name is derived from Jamaica’s own reggae music which influenced reggaeton’s dance beat. Reggaeton is also influenced in large amounts by other music genres such as; hip-hop and merengue. The variety of musical influences on Reggaeton has made it a global phenomenon in my point of view. It’s a musical genre with a voice that has spread out to audiences in Japan, North America and Europe.

As is the case with Hip-Hop music in the United States, Reggaeton appeals and attracts primarily the younger crowd. In Puerto Rico, youths were inspired to create Reggaeton, after hearing Panamanians rap over Jamaican dance hall music, adding native bomba and salsa rhythms. What happens when you mix hip-hop, reggae, salsa and other genres? The result can be heard in any reggaeton song. Though Reggaeton has been influenced by Hip-Hop and dance hall, it would be wrong to say that Reggaeton is the Spanish/Latino version of either one. Reggaeton has its own beats and rhythms.

Erin: How did you start doing Reggaeton?
Gino: I started doing Reggaeton about 2 years ago but I didn't have any kind of material to really work with so it was very hard to get going. I started by buying CD's with Reggaeton Instrumentals on them and got it going with Shawn Cabbell (DJ Shawn Juan). But, I'm trying to keep it going.

Erin: Where do you get your inspirations?
Gino: I get my inspiration from all walks of life. My biggest inspiration comes from wanting to please a crowd and trying to stay current on what's going on. I'm inspired by people every day, different situations that I go through or that friends go through and some of my past experiences.

Erin: Do you think you can grow as an artist in Indianapolis? What's lacking in Indy?
Gino: I personally think that there is a strong possibility to grow as an artist in Indianapolis, it would require for me to work very hard as well as have the support of friends and club go-ers. What I really like about Indianapolis is the fact that it's a very diversed city. I don't know what Indy as a city is lacking, but I know that in the Salsa community and salsa scene we're lacking a bit of unity. I strongly urge people to support the Salsa scene if we want it to grow more.

Erin: What's the future of Reggaeton? How do Reggaeton artists reinvent themselves?
Gino: I strongly believe that Reggaeton is here to stay, it appeals to the younger crowd so they will always keep it alive. I say that in a few more years Reggaeton will be bigger than Hip Hop, because Reggaeton right now is still a movement that hasn't yet settled. There are many ways to reinvent yourself as an artist. Some stay fresh by being innovative. Others stay hot by collaborating with other artists. There are different ways to reinvent yourself as an artist, I know that I can reinvent myself when the time comes.

I would like to add that I appreciate every applause I receive when I perform, every compliment I receive and all the support I get. I'd like to say thank you to those who do belive in me: Shawn Cabbell (DJ Shawn Juan), DJ TaZ, DJ Jimmy Jim, my big brother Francisco, who's like a bodyguard when I need him to be, my mom and dad. If I forgot anyone else, I'm sorry but I'll get you next time. I promise!!!!!