El Cartel (album)

El Cartel is a compilation album released in 1997 by the Puerto Rican reggaeton producer DJ Playero. It is considered a foundational work in the development of reggaeton music. The album features various artists prominent in the early stages of the genre, including Daddy Yankee, who gained significant recognition through his contributions to El Cartel.

The album is characterized by its raw, underground sound, reflecting the nascent nature of reggaeton at the time. It primarily features Spanish-language rap and reggae in its early form, with lyrics often addressing themes of street life and social commentary relevant to the Puerto Rican urban environment. El Cartel contributed significantly to popularizing the music form throughout Puerto Rico and laid the groundwork for its later mainstream success. It spawned several subsequent albums under the "El Cartel" banner.