| Malianteo | |
|---|---|
| Etymology | from maleante (gangster) |
| Other names | Maleanteo |
| Stylistic origins | |
| Cultural origins | 1990s, Puerto Rico |
| Regional scenes | |
| Puerto Rico • Argentina • Peru • Mexico • Chile | |
Malianteo or maleanteo is a subgenre of reggaeton music that focuses on criminal activities and the criminal lifestyle.[1][2]
Origins and characteristics
The term malianteo originates from Puerto Rican youth slang and is derived from the word maleante (gangster).[1][3] Malianteo originated in Puerto Rico and has been described as a successor to 1990s "underground" reggaeton.[4] The subgenre has spread to other countries such as Peru,[2] Argentina, Mexico, and Chile.[5]
Malianteo sharply contrasts with the party-centered imagery commonly associated with mainstream reggaeton.[4] The instrumentation is characterized by dark, minor notes and heavy dembow rhythms,[5] with gunshots being a common sound effect in songs.[4] Lyrics, which are rapped rather than sung,[4] are explicit and aggressive, referencing weapons, violent incidents,[2] life in impoverished neighborhoods,[4] drugs, and promiscuity.[6]
Malianteo rappers often seek to project a strong and intimidating image.[4] Popular ones include Ñengo Flow,[7] Cosculluela,[8] Zaramay,[5] and YOVNGCHIMI.[9] Some mainstream reggaeton artists use malianteo to indicate they have remained "authentic", having not forgotten their roots and being close to their fans.[4]
Criticism
Malianteo has been criticized as promoting juvenile delinquency,[3][10] with some music videos featuring young children bearing firearms.[10] In Peru, malianteo artists have frequently been killed.[2] On the other hand, Puerto Rican rapper Residente has said that crime on the island does not result from malianteo songs, but rather from the government's failure to provide accessible quality education.[11]
See also
References
- ^ a b "Malianteo". Speaking Latino. Retrieved 2025-12-20.
- ^ a b c d Coello, Marco (2025-07-16). "Artistas urbanos son víctimas del sicariato: 'Maleanteo', género musical que hizo noticia por el fallecimiento de sus cantantes". Willax (in Spanish). Retrieved 2025-12-20.
- ^ a b "Entronizado el 'malianteo' en segmentos de la juventud boricua". Periódico El Sol de Puerto Rico. 15 September 2023. Retrieved 2025-12-20.
- ^ a b c d e f g Escuyer, Antoine (2022-12-15). "Entre portoricanité et universalité : les ambivalences du reggaeton". HispanismeS. Revue de la Société des Hispanistes Français (in French) (20). doi:10.4000/hispanismes.17485. ISSN 2270-0765.
- ^ a b c "RKT, malianteo, turreo y cumbiatón: qué son y de dónde vienen estos subgéneros". Filo News (in Spanish). 2021-04-14. Retrieved 2025-12-20.
- ^ Arone, Neftaly (2025-07-06). "'El maleanteo' está haciendo que artistas urbanos estén en peligro". ATV - Atrevámonos (in Spanish). Retrieved 2025-12-20.
- ^ "Ñengo Flow y su Malianteo llegan el 24 de Junio a Movistar Arena - Agenda Musical". Agenda Musical - (in European Spanish). 2023-02-21. Retrieved 2025-12-20.
- ^ "Rapero Cosculluela festeja sus 40 años como cronista de la vida callejera". Cablenoticias (in Spanish). 2020-10-15. Retrieved 2025-12-20.
- ^ Arroyo, Juan J. (2023-12-08). "INTERVIEW: YOVNGCHIMI Talks New Album 'WLGS' & Authenticity in Malianteo". Remezcla. Retrieved 2025-12-20.
- ^ a b "Menores en videos de 'maleanteo' con letras sobre delitos". América TV (in Spanish). 2025-08-24. Retrieved 2025-12-20.
- ^ "La propuesta de Residente a los raperos de Puerto Rico tras ola de criminalidad en el país". El Heraldo (in Spanish). 2019-01-10. Retrieved 2025-12-20.
