Released: 2024 • Features: Trueno
“Cangrinaje” by Nicky Jam featuring Trueno is a marked celebration of old school Reggaeton with clear undertones of passionate longing and desire. The track delivers raw energy dipped in nostalgia, conveying the struggle of a man yearning for a woman he is enamored with, while also celebrating their physical relationship.
The song kicks off with Nicky Jam showing his authentic Reggaeton roots with a catchy chorus, “Mi gyal eres tú”, a phrase borrowed from Patois (Jamaican Creole) meaning “you’re my girl”. The term “gyal” in the Caribbean diaspora has been extensively used throughout Reggaeton and Dancehall music as a term of endearment for a woman. The lines “Métele como lo haces tú” translate to “Do it like you always do it”, a clear nod to the woman’s prowess in their intimate moments. The term “bellaquear” is Puerto Rican slang for initiating a sexual encounter, showcasing the raw edginess inherent in the genre.
Trueno enters the verse by paying homage to old school aesthetics with “Un estilo vieja escuela como mp3” or “An old-school style like an MP3”. He switches between declarations of success and attraction, with references to “turro” and “pretty gyal”, Argentine and Caribbean terms respectively for guy and girl – a blend that echoes the global nature of the Reggaeton movement.
Moving into the hook again, the line “Que encaje, vamo a meterle como el cangrinaje” translates roughly to “Let’s have some fun, let’s go in like the cangrinaje”. Here, “cangrinaje” is a Puerto Rican term hinting at an aggressive approach to something; in this context suggesting a hard dance or an intense romantic encounter. The rhymed terms in “bailoteo, sobeteo, cacoteo, bichoteo” are all unique to the Reggaeton lexicon, referring to different dance moves and interactions associated with the genre’s club culture.
The song ends on repeated iterations of “Métele” and “perreo”. The former meaning to “put it in” or “go for it”, and the latter indicating the dance style – “perreo” – synonymous with the genre, reflecting the doggy-style dance moves typical in Reggaeton. The infectious energy of the track combined with its suave portrayals of love and lust encapsulates the spirit of Reggaeton, serving both as a tribute to the genre’s roots and a testament to its enduring appeal.
