Reparto's Global Beat: Cuban Sound Conquers Charts

Cuban reparto artists took center stage at Billboard Latin Music Week 2026 on Tuesday, October 20th, for a panel titled "Reparto: Cuba's Modern-Day Soundscape." Held at the Faena Theater in Miami Beach, the event featured artists like Bebeshito, Wow Popy, Helabusador, Rey Tony, and DJ Conds, moderated by Billboard associate editor Jessica Roiz.

The discussion opened with a tribute to influential figures Elvis Manuel and El Taiger, who are recognized as foundational to the genre. Artists shared how these pioneers paved the way for reparto, a style born in Cuban neighborhoods that has now achieved worldwide recognition.

Artists delved into the sonic distinctions between reparto and cubatón, with Helabusador explaining it as a fusion of salsa and reggaeton that replaces the traditional dembow with a pedal, creating a link to Afro-Cuban salsa. The conversation also touched upon the responsibility artists feel in shaping reparto's image for a global audience, with some, like Bebeshito and Rey Tony, considering lyrical adjustments.

Wow Popy highlighted the distinct approach to his upcoming album, "Mundial," which involved over a year of production and collaborations with international artists, a stark contrast to the usual rapid creation process. Rey Tony and Helabusador recounted the unexpected organic success of one of their songs, which climbed charts in Chile, Ecuador, Peru, Colombia, and Bolivia, and charted in Spain, Argentina, and the United States without a promotional campaign.

DJ Conds reflected on this organic growth, noting the absence of a typical marketing strategy. Rey Tony attributed the song's success to its inherent "magic" and emphasized that every artist contributing to reparto is essential to its current reality and future. He concluded with confidence, stating, "Reparto is here to stay."