It’s been a year since the worldwide hit, “Taki Taki” was released. The song came from DJ Snake that featured vocals from pop singer, Selena Gomez, rapper Cardi B, and the Puerto Rican singer Ozuna. The song would release last year on September 28th as the second single from DJ Snake’s second studio album, Carte Blanche.
It was written by DJ Snake, Gomez, Ozuna, Cardi B, Ava Brignol, Jordan Thorpe, Juan Vasquez and Vicente Saavedra.
Its music video, directed by Colin Tilley was released on October 9th, 2018, which featured the four artists dancing in a lava-drenched crater of a volcano. The single reached number one in a number of Hispanic countries.
“Taki Taki” is a reggaeton and moombahton song. It runs for 3 minutes and 32 seconds. Ozuna opens the track and provides the hook, while Cardi B and Selena Gomez follow rapping in English and Spanish. Lyrically, the song sees the performers expressing their ways to seduce and interpreting what their partners are thinking.
MUSIC VIDEO
The music video for “Taki Taki” premiered on October 9, 2018 on DJ Snake’s YouTube channel. The video was directed by Colin Tilley. A short teaser clip was shown at the 2018 American Music Awards. The video is set in a post-apocalyptic world. The clip transitions with various landscapes showing the quartet together with a volcano in the background and in the solo scenes.
These scenes include DJ Snake out in the storm near a Range Rover, Ozuna in a women-filled pit, Cardi B wearing a black bodysuit covered by a black cape accompanied by dancers, and Gomez in a green monochromatic outfit in the forest.
Taki Taki became the fifth fastest video of 2018 to reach 100 million views, and ranked among the top 10 fastest overall.
A pixel video for “Taki Taki” was released on December 11th, 2018 on YouTube, which featured animated pixel versions of the four artists dancing in various backgrounds.
SUCCESS & RECEPTION
Two years ago today, “Taki Taki” by DJ Snake featuring Selena Gomez, Ozuna and Cardi B was released! Since it’s release it has garnered major success as it peaked at No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100, it reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Latin songs and Latin Airplay charts and it reached No. 1 in 15 countries on their official charts.
The song also has 24 No. 1’s on Spotify (it is the 2nd longest running latin song on the top spot on Global Spotify (32 days); Cardi B became the FIRST female rapper to top Global Spotify with “Taki Taki”), it has 29 No. 1’s on Apple Music and 58 No. 1’s on iTunes. “Taki Taki” has also garnered 10 BILLION streams across all streaming platforms (Cardi B extended her record as the female rapper with the most songs with over 1 BILLION streams with this song included)!
The song is currently certified 3x PLATINUM in the U.S as well as in Canada and in all the song has PLATINUM and DIAMOND certifications worldwide (“Taki Taki” is currently eligible for 5x PLATINUM in the U.S)!
The music video currently has 1.9 BILLION views and 14 MILLION likes (it is the 4th FASTEST music video to reach 500 MILLION views and the 6th FASTEST music video to reach 1 BILLION views)! It went on to win many awards including ASCAP Awards, Awards for ‘Song Of The Year’ and ‘Favorite Song – Urban’ at the Latin AMAs and ‘Contemporary Latin Song Of The Year’ and ‘Most Performed Song Of The Year’ at the BMI Latin Awards!
THOUGHTS ON “TAKI TAKI”
When this song was first announced I wasn’t so sure on what to really make of it. It was an interesting group of people to put together on a Latin song. By this point into her career it wasn’t unusual to see Cardi try her hand on a Latin Trap song. I do think this still one of my favorite guest featured verses by her and I think this is one of those verses of hers that is pretty well known.
“Taki Taki” is a well-produced, well-performed, and just plain enjoyable, and maybe one of my favorite Cardi verses that not many would pick out as a favorite. Everyone did what they had to do for their part and the end result of the hit song obviously reflects as such.
What did you think of “Taki Taki” when it came out and how do still feel about the song as of today?! Where does “Taki Taki” rank in Cardi features?! Please, let me know in the comments!
Invasion of Bardi 