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Description

Neoperreo is a 2010s, internet-native reboot of reggaeton’s perreo culture, spearheaded by a DIY, club-oriented scene that embraces queer, feminist, and body-positive values. It keeps the genre’s dembow backbone while pushing sound design into heavier 808s, crisp digital percussion, and glossy autotuned vocals.

Aesthetically, it borrows from global/experimental club currents, moombahton’s mid-tempo thump, and hyperpop’s online sensibility, yielding tracks that are minimal yet hard-hitting, hooky but adventurous. Neoperreo thrives in parties, YouTube/SoundCloud ecosystems, and pop-up scenes across Latin America, Spain, and the diaspora—designed first and foremost for the dancefloor and for perreo.

History
Origins (mid-2010s)

Neoperreo emerged in the mid-to-late 2010s as Latin American artists—especially in Chile—revitalized reggaeton with a DIY, internet-first ethos. Tomasa del Real popularized the term “neoperreo,” building a party/label ecosystem that connected scenes in Chile, Mexico City, Los Angeles, and Spain. Early releases circulated on SoundCloud and YouTube, pairing dembow grooves with raw, neon-lit visuals and self-styled fashion.

Aesthetic and Community

From the outset, neoperreo was inclusive and club-centric: queer-friendly dance spaces, body-positive performance, and a focus on dancers as much as on performers. The sound drew on dembow and dancehall foundations while absorbing moombahton’s tempo, deconstructed club’s sound-design risks, and hyperpop’s net-native aesthetics.

Consolidation and International Spread (late 2010s–early 2020s)

By 2018–2020, neoperreo parties and collectives had become regular fixtures across Latin America and Europe, with DJs and vocalists collaborating across borders. Producers refined a punchy, sub-heavy mix—sparse harmonies, catchy toplines, and massive low end—tailored for perreo floors. Media attention and streaming playlists helped translate the movement’s underground momentum into broader urbano spaces.

Present Day

In the 2020s, neoperreo continues to influence regional variants (notably in Chile and Mexico) and to intersect with latin trap, pop, and experimental club. It remains a space where independent artists can test bolder rhythmic edits, vocal processing, and performance styles while staying rooted in perreo’s social dance culture.

How to make a track in this genre
Rhythm and Tempo
•   Start with a dembow groove at ~85–105 BPM. Use a tight kick pattern (boom–ba–boom–boom–ba) with syncopated snares/claps. •   Layer swung shakers/hi-hats and reggaeton claps; keep percussion crisp and front-loaded for dancefloor impact.
Sound Design and Harmony
•   Prioritize a thick, subby 808 bass, sidechained to the kick for pump and space. •   Keep harmony minimal: short, looped chords or pads; focus on rhythm and texture over complex changes. •   Add club-forward FX (riser sweeps, sirens, laser one-shots) and occasional distorted hits borrowed from deconstructed club.
Vocals and Lyrics
•   Use autotune with noticeable retune speed; double-track hooks for width. •   Write catchy, repeatable refrains; themes often include desire, confidence, nightlife, and playful braggadocio, with an inclusive, sex-positive tone. •   Employ call-and-response ad-libs and crowd-ready chants designed for perreo.
Arrangement
•   Structure around intro → verse → hook → perreo drop → verse/bridge → final hook. •   Keep breakdowns clear to cue dancers; emphasize a strong hook returning after each section.
Production Tips
•   Mix with the dancefloor in mind: punchy kick, powerful sub, uncluttered mids, bright percussion. •   Reference moombahton/dancehall for groove, deconstructed club for textural spice, and hyperpop for bold vocal presence. •   Test drafts in a club or on a loud system to calibrate low-end and percussive bite.
Influenced by
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