Katelina “La Gata” Eccleston Named “Culture Shifter of the Year” in HuffPost Profile Spotlight

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JUNE 21, 2022

New York, NY — Katelina “Gata” Eccleston has been named a Culture Shifter of the Year in a profile feature by HuffPost, recognizing her groundbreaking work reshaping the global narrative of reggaeton and amplifying Black Latinx voices within the genre.

The feature highlights Eccleston’s impact as a reggaeton historian, multimedia creator, and cultural strategist whose work through platforms like Reggaeton Con La Gata and Perreo 101 has challenged dominant industry narratives and centered the often-erased contributions of Black Latin artists, particularly Black Latinas in reggaeton.

Described in the profile as a defining voice in contemporary Latin music discourse, Eccleston’s work bridges academia, media, and community storytelling—offering a decolonized lens on reggaeton’s history, evolution, and global influence. Her research and cultural commentary have positioned her as a leading figure in conversations around race, gender, and authorship in Latin music.

“I’ve always seen reggaeton as more than music—it’s memory, migration, resistance, and identity,” Eccleston said. “This recognition is not just about my work, but about the communities and histories that have always been at the center of this culture, even when they weren’t acknowledged.”

The HuffPost feature underscores Eccleston’s role in bringing visibility to Black Latinx artists and reshaping how reggaeton is documented, taught, and understood across both mainstream media and academic spaces. Her work continues to influence cultural institutions, music industry stakeholders, and global audiences seeking a deeper understanding of the genre’s origins and impact.

As reggaeton continues its global expansion, Eccleston remains at the forefront of its cultural preservation and critical analysis—ensuring that its history is told with accuracy, depth, and equity.

About Katelina “La Gata” Eccleston
Katelina Eccleston is a reggaeton historian, writer, and multimedia creator known for her cultural platform Reggaeton Con La Gata and the Perreo 101 podcast. Her work focuses on the intersection of music, race, gender, and diaspora, with a commitment to centering Black Latinx narratives within Latin music history.

Media Contact:
Elumina Media