Reggaeton News:
Barrio 305 Launches Hurban Broadband Radio Station
By Nena Varo ©Barrio305.com
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Barrio 305, an urban latin lifestly community, launched
an internet reggaeton radio station dedicated to this exploding musical
genre. Pronounced ‘Reggae-tone’, this genre has been around
for over a decade in the streets of Puerto Rico and Panama, fusing carribean
rhythms with urban hip-hop beats. It is only within the past six months
that Reggaeton has made a prominent mark in the choice
of music for young hispanic markets across especially in cities with
large concentrations of Puerto Ricans or other Hispanics, such as New
York and Miami.
The broadband radio station that Barrio 305 launched
this week is targeted at young urban hispanics between the ages of 18-34
in both large and small markets. This urban hispanic audience is given
the name "hurban" - hispanic urban. As a Miami based reggaeton
producer, Barrio 305 has the advantage of developing content for this
market because it is the gateway to other U.S. cities for major Latin
American trends in music and virtually all areas of pop culture. For
the hurban community living in smaller U.S. towns, internet radio allows
them the opportunity to enjoy Reggaeton programming
where they otherwise would not have a media outlet.
Unlike commercial radio which must represent the community
it is based in, internet radio can be more diverse in it’s programming
and delivery. A recent Arbitron study shows that 39% of Americans regularly
tune in to internet radio.
With latins representing the fastest growing
portion of the population, Barrio 305 hopes to expand reggaeton’s
audience outside the major cities. Online featured artists include leading
acts such as Tego Calderón, Queen Ivy, Don Chezina and Daddy
Yankee. As it’s popularity continues to grow steadily, internet
stations such as Barrio 305, will act as a necessary outlet for upcoming
artists to stimulate the forefront of the “Hurban” Latin
American youth market.
Nena Varo
Barrio 305
©Barrio305.com
