"Cántalo" | ||||
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Single by Ricky Martin, Residente, and Bad Bunny | ||||
from the EP Pausa | ||||
Language | Spanish | |||
English title | "Sing It" | |||
Released | November 12, 2019 | |||
Recorded | 2019 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 3:38 | |||
Label | Sony Latin | |||
Songwriter(s) |
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Producer(s) |
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Ricky Martin singles chronology | ||||
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Residente singles chronology | ||||
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Bad Bunny singles chronology | ||||
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Lyric Video | ||||
"Cántalo" on YouTube |
"Cántalo" (transl. "Sing It") is a song recorded by Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin with Puerto Rican rappers Residente and Bad Bunny for Martin's first extended play, Pausa (2020). The song was written by Residente, Bad Bunny, Danay Suárez, Martin, Rubén Blades, and Johnny Pacheco, while the production was handled by Residente and Trooko. It was released for digital download and streaming by Sony Music Latin on November 12, 2019, as the lead single from the EP. A Spanish language salsa and reggaeton song, it is about union and celebration.
"Cántalo" received widely positive reviews from music critics, who complimented its lyrics, and fusion of sounds and genres. The song reached the top 10 in Martin's native Puerto Rico, and the top 15 in Panama. It was nominated for Best Urban Fusion/Performance at the 21st Annual Latin Grammy Awards. To promote the song, Martin, Residente, and Bad Bunny performed it at the 2019 Latin Grammy Awards. For further promotion, Spotify promoted the release on billboards in Times Square.
Background and development
[edit]Telegramgate, also known as Chatgate,[1] was a political scandal involving Ricardo Rosselló, then Governor of Puerto Rico, which began on July 8, 2019, with the leak of hundreds of pages of a group chat on the messaging application Telegram between Rosselló and members of his cabinet. The messages were considered vulgar, misogynistic, and homophobic toward several individuals and groups, including Ricky Martin. Therefore, Martin, Bad Bunny, Residente and several other artists, and more than half a million Puerto Ricans led the call to take to the streets of Puerto Rico, demanding Rosselló's resignation.[2][3][4] Martin started recording his eleventh studio album, initially titled Movimiento, in the second half of 2019, inspired by the political protests in Puerto Rico.[5]
On November 6, 2019, Martin shared the artwork for his new single on his Instagram and announced that it would be a collaboration with Bad Bunny and Residente, titled "Cántalo". The cover replicates Puerto Rican protest posters demanding the resignation of Roselló.[6][7] Four days later, Martin shared a photo of himself and his fellow artists in studio, and revealed the single's release date as November 12, 2019.[8] In an interview with El Nuevo Día, he told the newspaper about "Cántalo", saying it has "a fascinating story, starting with the fact that La Fania gave me the master [recordings] of 'Mi Gente' to work on this song, which is a very great responsibility and it fills my heart with pride".[9] He continued:
I've always wanted to bring generations together through my music, and I have to give much credit to Residente, an excellent producer and lyricist, and certainly to Bad Bunny, the new face of the genre and a very young person who has very important things to tell. We have many things in common and that's where magic is born. I'm really excited I can collaborate with artists as talented and special as them.[9]
Residente also told El Nuevo Día about the collaboration, saying it "continues to show the union through music and within a circle of different generations that represent our culture and heritage", going on to call the song "an incredible experience to integrate 'Mi Gente' a song with a rich history from its creation in Africa to its global impact".[9] "Cántalo" marked the first collaboration between Martin and the two other artists, while Residente and Bad Bunny had previously worked on the 2019 singles "Bellacoso" and "Afilando los cuchillos" together.[10][11]
Music and lyrics
[edit]Musically, "Cántalo" is a Spanish language salsa and reggaeton song,[9][10][12][13][14][15][16] written by Residente, Bad Bunny, Cuban singer-songwriter Danay Suárez, Martin, Panamanian musician Rubén Blades, and Dominican musician Johnny Pacheco. Its production was handled by Residente and Trooko,[17] and the song features elements of trap, hip-hop, Latin pop, jazz, and bossa nova.[9][10][13][18][19][20] The song runs for a total of 3 minutes and 38 seconds,[21] uses several instruments including a tambora and trumpet,[10] and inspires the union of the human race regardless of religion, social status or flag color.[9]
Throughout the roaring and richly cultural song,[22] the trio sing about union and celebration.[23] The chorus of the track references Héctor Lavoe's 1974 song "Mi Gente", and reverts to "full-throttle salsa" between Residente and Bad Bunny rap verses. After Bad Bunny's verse, the song nods to a half-time tempo, before another chorus.[24][25]
Release and promotion
[edit]The song was released for digital download and streaming as a single by Sony Music Latin on November 12, 2019.[21] For further promotion, Spotify promoted the release on billboards in Times Square.[26] Because of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent personal experiences, Martin decided to split the album Movimiento into the two EPs Pausa and Play.[10][27] "Cántalo" was included as the sixth track on his debut EP Pausa, released May 28, 2020.[10][28] On June 23, 2020, an accompanying lyric video was released on Martin's YouTube channel.[29] A headphone mix of the song, created using "Orbital Audio" technology, was included as the sixth track on the headphone mix version of the EP, released July 30, 2020.[30][31]
Martin, Residente, and Bad Bunny gave their first live performance of "Cántalo" at the 20th Annual Latin Grammy Awards on November 14, 2019,[25] which was ranked as one of the best moments of the ceremony by Rolling Stone.[32] The song was included on Martin's the Movimiento Tour, which began at the José Miguel Agrelot Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico on February 7, 2020. During the performances of "Cántalo" for the tour, he wore a black outfit, and usually appeared at the top of a staircase placed in the middle of a stage.[33][34] Martin also performed "Cántalo" along with his other hits during the 61st Viña del Mar International Song Festival on February 23, 2020.[35]
Critical reception
[edit]Upon release, "Cántalo" was met with widely positive reviews from music critics. Suzette Fernandez from Billboard gave the song a positive review, praising it for leaving aside the commercial sound and becoming a cultural song that carries a message of union and celebration. She also complimented the song for its perfectly fusion of sounds, and admired "the combination of Martin's voice with Residente and Bad Bunny's rap style and the lyrics" that make the track "unique".[23] Writing for Hypebeast, Sophie Caraan praised "Cántalo", saying: "Fusing traditional sounds found in Latin music and Residente and Bunny's trap style, the track calls for everybody to stand for what’s right instead of turning a blind eye to injustice." She also described the song as "[a] cultural anthem that calls for unification and celebration".[36] Alicia Alonso from Cadena Dial described it as "a song with Latin rhythms that promises to be the song that everyone is going to dance and sing".[37]
An author of Los 40 complimented the track, labeling it "a song that brings together all cultures regardless of religion or country".[38] An author of Rádio Comercial wrote about the song: "A little bit of classic salsa, a few splashes of reggaeton (enough) and a little bit of hip-hop. Everything moves, joins the power trio Ricky Martin, Residente and Bad Bunny and the result is 'Cántalo'."[39] Writing for 20 minutos, David Moreno Sáenz described the song as "a true tribute to Latin music that fuses genres from reggaeton to bossa nova through more urban music or jazz".[40]
Accolades
[edit]TNT Latin America ranked "Cántalo" as one of the Best Collaborations of 2019.[41] It was nominated for Best Urban Fusion/Performance at the 21st Annual Latin Grammy Awards, but lost to "Yo x Ti, Tu x Mi" by Rosalía and Ozuna.[42][43]
Commercial performance
[edit]"Cántalo" debuted at number 35 on the US Hot Latin Songs chart,[44] becoming Martin's 48th entry on the chart,[45] Residente's second, and Bad Bunny's 62nd.[46][47] It also peaked at number 23 on the US Latin Airplay chart,[48] number 11 on both the Latin Pop Airplay and Latin Rhythm Airplay charts,[49][50] and number 3 on the US Latin Digital Song Sales chart,[51] becoming Residente's highest peak and his longest running hit on the last chart.[52] The song was certified Latin gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), for track-equivalent sales of over 30,000 units in the United States.[53] Besides the US, "Cántalo" reached the top 10 in Puerto Rico,[54] and the top 15 in Panama.[55]
Track listing
[edit]No. | Title | Length |
---|---|---|
1. | "Cántalo" | 3:38 |
Credits and personnel
[edit]Credits adapted from Tidal.[17]
- Ricky Martin – vocal, composer, lyricist, associated performer, executive producer
- Residente – vocal, composer, producer, lyricist, associated performer
- Bad Bunny – vocal, composer, lyricist, associated performer
- Trooko – producer, recording engineer
- Danay Suárez – composer, lyricist
- Johnny Pacheco – composer, lyricist
- Rubén Blades – composer, lyricist, background vocal
- Karina Pagán – A&R coordinator
- Mireille Bravo – A&R coordinator
- Amber Urena – A&R coordinator
- Isabel De Jesús – A&R director
- Tito Allen – background vocal
- Carmila Ramírez – background vocal
- Daniel Díaz – congas
- Ted Jensen – mastering engineer
- Tom Elmhirst – mixing engineer
- Leo Genovese – piano
- Daniel Prim – percussion
- Enrique Larreal – recording engineer
- Phil Joly – recording engineer
- Luis Quintero – timbales
- Rey Alejandre – trombone
- Diego Urcola – trumpet
- Jean Rodriguez – vocal engineer
Charts
[edit]
Weekly charts[edit]
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Year-end charts[edit]
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Certifications
[edit]Region | Certification | Certified units/sales |
---|---|---|
United States (RIAA)[53] | Gold (Latin) | 30,000‡ |
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone. |
Release history
[edit]Region | Date | Format(s) | Label | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
Various | November 12, 2019 | Sony Music Latin | [21] | |
Puerto Rico | November 13, 2019 | Contemporary hit radio | [63] |
References
[edit]- ^ Weissenstein, Michael; Colon, Joel (July 16, 2019). "'Chatgate' Scandal Plunges Puerto Rico Governor into Political Crisis". Time. Archived from the original on July 16, 2019. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
- ^ "Marcha del pueblo: Puerto Rico clama la renuncia del gobernador Ricardo Rosselló". El Nuevo Dia. July 22, 2019. Archived from the original on October 15, 2019. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
- ^ Serrano, Oscar J. (July 13, 2019). "WhatsApp Gate 2.0: Nuevo chat expone a la Administración Rosselló". NotiCel (in Spanish). Archived from the original on July 27, 2019. Retrieved July 19, 2019.
- ^ "Puerto Rican Artists Ricky Martin, Residente & Bad Bunny Are Agents of Change Calling for Governor's Resignation". Billboard. July 22, 2019. Archived from the original on January 27, 2021. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
- ^ "Ricky Martin Finds Inspiration in Puerto Rico Protests: 'The People Will Rise Up More Than Ever'". Billboard. January 28, 2020. Archived from the original on February 4, 2021. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
- ^ Martin, Ricky (November 6, 2019). "¡Se dio el junte!Prepárense! #Cántalo #Residente #badbunny" (in Spanish). Archived from the original on December 24, 2021. Retrieved March 11, 2021 – via Instagram.
- ^ "Ricky Martin Has a New Song On the Way With Residente & Bad Bunny". Billboard. November 6, 2019. Archived from the original on November 7, 2019. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
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- ^ a b c d e f g Flores, Griselda (May 28, 2020). "Ricky Martin Drops Surprise EP 'Pausa': Here's Every Collaboration Featured". Billboard. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
- ^ "Ricky Martin convoque Residente et Bad Bunny sur son nouveau single 'Cántalo'". La Dépêche du Midi. November 13, 2019. Archived from the original on March 13, 2021. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
- ^ "Ricky Martin Releases New Spanish Language EP 'Pausa'". Culture Fix. June 5, 2020. Archived from the original on February 28, 2021. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
- ^ a b Exposito, Suzy (November 12, 2019). "Ricky Martin, Residente, Bad Bunny Debut New Song 'Cántalo' Ahead of Latin Grammys". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on November 12, 2019. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
- ^ Fernández, Stefanie (November 14, 2019). "Alt.Latino: A Puerto Rican Power Trio, Miami Chillwave, Industrial Rosalía". NPR. Archived from the original on November 15, 2019. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
- ^ "Ricky Martin Está De Volta E Chega Com Residente E Bad Bunny". Rádio Comercial. November 12, 2019. Archived from the original on March 13, 2021. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
- ^ Sáenz, David Moreno (November 16, 2019). "Ricky Martin estrena en directo 'Cántalo', su temazo salsero junto a Bad Bunny y Residente". 20 minutos (in Spanish). Archived from the original on January 20, 2021. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
- ^ a b "Cántalo / Ricky Martin". Tidal. Archived from the original on September 22, 2021. Retrieved April 10, 2020.
- ^ Fernández, Stefanie (November 14, 2019). "Alt.Latino: A Puerto Rican Power Trio, Miami Chillwave, Industrial Rosalía". NPR. Archived from the original on November 15, 2019. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
- ^ Sáenz, David Moreno (November 16, 2019). "Ricky Martin estrena en directo 'Cántalo', su temazo salsero junto a Bad Bunny y Residente". 20 minutos (in Spanish). Archived from the original on January 20, 2021. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
- ^ "Ricky Martin Releases New Spanish Language EP 'Pausa'". Culture Fix. June 5, 2020. Archived from the original on February 28, 2021. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
- ^ a b c d Citations regarding the digital release of "Cántalo":
- "Cántalo – Single by Ricky Martin, Residente, Bad Bunny" (in Spanish). Apple Music (AR). Archived from the original on March 13, 2021. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
- "Cántalo – Single by Ricky Martin, Residente, Bad Bunny". Apple Music (AU). Archived from the original on March 13, 2021. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
- "Cántalo – Single by Ricky Martin, Residente, Bad Bunny" (in Portuguese). Apple Music (BR). Archived from the original on March 13, 2021. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
- "Cántalo – Single by Ricky Martin, Residente, Bad Bunny" (in Spanish). Apple Music (CL). Archived from the original on March 13, 2021. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
- "Cántalo – Single by Ricky Martin, Residente, Bad Bunny" (in Spanish). Apple Music (ES). Archived from the original on March 13, 2021. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
- "Cántalo – Single by Ricky Martin, Residente, Bad Bunny". Apple Music (GB). Archived from the original on March 13, 2021. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
- "Cántalo – Single by Ricky Martin, Residente, Bad Bunny" (in Japanese). Apple Music (JP). Archived from the original on March 13, 2021. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
- "Cántalo – Single by Ricky Martin, Residente, Bad Bunny" (in Spanish). Apple Music (MX). Archived from the original on March 13, 2021. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
- "Cántalo – Single by Ricky Martin, Residente, Bad Bunny". Apple Music (US). Archived from the original on March 13, 2021. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
- ^ Villa, Lucas (November 10, 2020). "The Most Influential Artists: #27 Ricky Martin". Spin. Archived from the original on November 10, 2020. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
- ^ a b Fernandez, Suzette (November 12, 2019). "How To Listen Ricky Martin's 'Cántalo' with Residente & Bad Bunny". Billboard. Archived from the original on November 12, 2019. Retrieved November 12, 2019.
- ^ "Ricky Martin, Residente y Bad Bunny juntos en una nueva canción: Cántalo". El Observador. November 13, 2019. Archived from the original on March 13, 2021. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
- ^ a b Leight, Elias (November 14, 2019). "Ricky Martin, Residente, Bad Bunny Fuse Salsa and Trap at Latin Grammys". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on November 15, 2019. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
- ^ Martin, Ricky (November 17, 2019). "#spotify 🤘🏼🎶🎵 #cántalo". Archived from the original on September 22, 2021. Retrieved March 11, 2021 – via Instagram.
- ^ Sigal Ratner-Arias (May 29, 2020). "Ricky Martin makes 'Pausa' to channel newly found anxiety". ABC News. Archived from the original on June 17, 2020. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
- ^ "Pausa – EP by Ricky Martin". Apple Music (US). Archived from the original on June 17, 2020. Retrieved May 20, 2020.
- ^ "Ricky Martin, Residente, Bad Bunny - Cántalo (Official Lyric Video)". YouTube. June 23, 2020. Archived from the original on March 11, 2021. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
- ^ "PAUSA (Headphone Mix) – Ricky Martin". Apple Music (VG). Archived from the original on February 4, 2021. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
- ^ "Ricky Martin Launches Martin Music Lab, With Focus On 'Elevating' Audio Entertainment Experiences". Billboard. October 8, 2020. Archived from the original on October 15, 2020. Retrieved October 14, 2020.
- ^ "Latin Grammys 2019: 10 Best, Worst and WTF Moments". Rolling Stone. November 15, 2019. Archived from the original on November 17, 2019. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
- ^ "Ricky Martin vence al frío de Ensenada". El Universal (in Spanish). March 8, 2020. Archived from the original on March 1, 2021. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
- ^ "Ricky Martin Announces First Date For New Movimiento Tour". Billboard. October 22, 2019. Archived from the original on January 7, 2020. Retrieved February 11, 2020.
- ^ "Ricky Martin provocó al 'monstruo' en difícil noche inaugural de Viña del Mar". El Comercio (in Spanish). February 24, 2020. Archived from the original on November 24, 2020. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
- ^ Caraan, Sophie (November 13, 2019). "Bad Bunny Links With Ricky Martin & Residente for New Single 'Cántalo'". Hypebeast. Archived from the original on March 13, 2021. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
- ^ Alonso, Alicia (November 12, 2019). "Ricky Martin, Residente, Bad Bunny – Cántalo". Cadena Dial. Archived from the original on January 18, 2021. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
- ^ "Escuchá 'Cántalo', Lo Nuevo de Ricky Martin, Residente & Bad Bunny". Los 40. November 13, 2019. Archived from the original on March 13, 2021. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
- ^ "Ricky Martin Está De Volta E Chega Com Residente E Bad Bunny". Rádio Comercial. November 12, 2019. Archived from the original on March 13, 2021. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
- ^ Sáenz, David Moreno (November 16, 2019). "Ricky Martin estrena en directo 'Cántalo', su temazo salsero junto a Bad Bunny y Residente". 20 minutos (in Spanish). Archived from the original on January 20, 2021. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
- ^ "Mejor que escuchar a tu artista favorito, es escuchar a más de uno en la misma canción ♥ ¿Cuál es tu favorita?" (in Spanish). December 28, 2019. Archived from the original on September 22, 2021. Retrieved August 16, 2021 – via Instagram.
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- ^ "Residente Chart History (Latin Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. March 13, 2021. Archived from the original on March 13, 2021. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
- ^ a b "American single certifications – Ricky Martin, Residente & Bad Bunny – Cántalo". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved February 3, 2020.
- ^ a b "Puerto Rico" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. Archived from the original on April 21, 2020. Retrieved April 21, 2020.
- ^ a b "Panama" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. Archived from the original on June 26, 2020. Retrieved April 12, 2020.
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