Top 10 2000's Dancehall & Reggaeton Songs We Still Jam To

#10: “Move Ya Body” (2004)

Nina Sky feat. Jabba

Sampled by many artists throughout the years, these Puerto Rican twins’ debut single is just as infectious now as it was back in the day. Using the “Coolie dance” Jamaican rhythm, “Move Ya Body’s” effortless musical flow and simple lyrics make it easy to groove to. The song was a huge hit, reaching the top ten in several countries. It earned Gold certification by both the RIAA and the BPI, becoming one of the most successful dancehall songs ever. And of course, you can still jam to it in clubs today. We’ll always move our bodies to this track.

#9: “Turn Me On” (2003)

Kevin Lyttle feat. Spragga Benz

This worldwide hit still turns us on. Kevin Lyttle’s “Turn Me On” actually used to be a soca ballad – a calypso-inspired music originating in Trinidad – before it was released as a dance hit in the U.S. Its rhythm is a kind of proto-reggaeton. And sure enough, it was remixed several times by many big names, including Ivy Queen. “Turn Me On” also interpolates 112’s “All My Love” into a seamless mix. The song reached No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and is said to have one of the best choruses of a reggaeton song.

#8: “Tempted to Touch” (2004)

Rupee

Speaking of soca music, this Barbadian musician delivered a classic dancehall banger himself. Rupee’s groovy “Tempted to Touch” has a catchy melody that sits well on its Caribbean rhythm. Naturally, it was given a reggaeton remix with Daddy Yankee. The lyrics, though simple, have better rhymes than most dance music. The Daddy Yankee remix in particular features excellent use of Spanish lyrics. First released in 2002, “Tempted to Touch” quickly became a smash hit, even reaching No. 3 on Billboard’s US Dance Singles Sales. We are always tempted to dance to this song.

#7: “Angel” (2000)

Shaggy feat. Rayvon

It’s unusual for a song to sample a rock song, as this 2001 track does. But Shaggy’s “Angel” does it twice. This sweet and slow dancehall single samples Steve Miller Band’s “The Joker” and uses Chip Taylor’s 1961 song, “Angel of the Morning,” for the melody. “Angel’s” chill vibes, as well as Rayvon’s genial rap interlude, made it a great hit. It peaked at No. 1 on the charts of several countries, selling more than a million copies in the U.S. With its seamless sampling, the song still holds up today as a great jam.

#6: “Calabria 2007” (2007)

Enur feat. Natasja

Even if by some chance you haven’t heard this song, that iconic saxophone riff should sound instantly familiar. This song has been remixed several times from its original 2003 version by Dutch group Drunkenmunky, complete with a funkier saxophone. But perhaps the most well-known is this version by Enur, with vocals by Natasja Saad, which got tremendous exposure with its use for Target ad for the 2007–2008 school year. “Calabria”’s reggae vibe is still impeccable, so much so that the single itself was sampled by other artists, including for hits “21 Reasons” by DJ Nathan Dawe, and rapper Benzz’s “Je M’appelle.” Now that is standing the test of time.

#5: “Salió el Sol” (2006)

Don Omar

The sun always comes out when this song plays. Puerto Rican rapper, singer, and songwriter Don Omar is known as the “King of Reggaeton.” And this early 2006 single certainly proves why. With its hypnotic snake-like melody and its equally hypnotic storytelling lyrics, “Salió el Sol” fits the reggaeton rhythm like a glove. Effortlessly smooth, with obvious cumbia influences, the song is undoubtedly one of the most influential songs of the genre, with a good music video to boot. It reached No. 13 on Billboard’s US Hot Latin Songs, and is still a club classic today.

#4: “Pon De Replay” (2005)

Rihanna

This dancehall song is a jumbo soup of genres, but it works. With pop, dancehall, R&B, reggae, and even big band swing influences to the Creole-accented lyrics, Rihanna’s “Pon De Replay” is a seamless mix. The song peaked at No. 1 in several countries and was certified Platinum multiple times in three, including its native U.S. It’s hard to believe now that this was Rihanna’s debut single. Today, she’s a legendary, Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter, but “Pon De Replay” is still a fan favorite.

#3: “Hips Don’t Lie” (2005)

Shakira feat. Wyclef Jean

This was the song that really smashed all language barriers and even records. Shakira’s truthful hips are by now a well-worn meme, but it’s for a good reason. “Hips Don’t Lie” reached No. 1 in the U.S. and in 54 other countries, becoming the fastest-selling digital download song. With its iconic salsa trumpet riff and cumbia-reggaeton rhythm, the single was actually a reworking of Wyclef Jean’s “Dance Like This.” A remix was later done for the 2006 FIFA World Cup. Fun fact: The lyrics were inspired by Shakira’s real-life metric to determine whether a song is danceable. We’re always out on the dancefloor for this one, proving that her hips, indeed, did not lie.

#2: “Get Busy” (2002)

Sean Paul

This Jamaican artist first got into the groove with his rap-inflected 2001 song “Gimme the Light”. But the 2002 hit “Get Busy” is a livelier dance track, with a unique descending melody. It has a handclap Jamaican rhythm dubbed “Diwali Riddim,” with notable swing influences. “Get Busy” topped the U.S. Billboard charts for three weeks and got two remixes. A 2024 version by Odd Mob was a big hit, even certified Gold by ARIA. For a party song that will really make you get busy, this one still has got it.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“King of the Dancehall” (2004), Beenie Man

A Bold Claim, but This Song Does Prove It

“Pam Pam” (2006), Wisin & Yandel

This Classic Reggaeton Song Is Still Lit

“No Letting Go” (2003), Wayne Wonder

We Still Haven’t Let Go of This Catchy Hit

“Hold You” (2010), Gyptian

This Gold-Certified Single Will Always Hold Us

“Never Leave You (Uh Oooh, Uh Oooh)” (2003), Lumidee

We’ll Still Clap Along to This Banger

#1: “Gasolina” (2004)

Daddy Yankee

Does this song really need an introduction? Daddy Yankee’s first huge hit opened the doors for more reggaeton hits, particularly in the U.S. With an iconic chorus, heavy double-entendres and brash vocals, “Gasolina” is considered one of the greatest reggaeton songs of all time. It won the Latin Grammy Award for Record of the Year. Although its climb to the charts came a year after its release, it was eventually certified Platinum no fewer than 33 times by the RIAA. The song was even chosen by the Library of Congress in 2023 for preservation! Daddy Yankee followed up this single with “Rompe,” also a notable banger (xref). But for our part, we can never get enough of this gasoline.

Which other 2000s oldie-but-goodies still send you straight to the dancefloor? Let us know in the comments down below!