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 9 October 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.

In July 2018, Cardi B confirmed a collaboration with DJ Snake, Ozuna and a third mystery guest. The following month, Selena Gomez and Cardi teased a behind-the-scenes look at the song’s music video taping, which was filmed in Los Angeles.

“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 11 December 2018 on YouTube, which featured animated pixel versions of the four artists dancing in various backgrounds.

SUCCESS AND RECEPTION

In the United States, “Taki Taki” debuted at number one on Hot Latin Songs, where Ozuna replaced himself as it follows “Te Boté”, and number 27 on the Billboard Hot 100. It eventually reached number 11 on the Hot 100 during its fourth week. It became Gomez’s 16th consecutive top 40 entry on the Hot 100, the longest active run of any artist. In the US Latin Airplay chart, it became the first number one for both DJ Snake and Gomez, the eighth for Ozuna and third for Cardi B.

In addition the song reached number one in Argentina, Bolivia, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Portugal, Spain and Venezuela; the song also reached the top 10 in Belgium, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Paraguay, the Philippines, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Sweden and Switzerland; as well as the top 20 in Austria, Finland, Ireland, Lebanon, New Zealand, Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The song had a strong international impact, reaching the top of the Spotify Global 50 chart where it has stayed for over four weeks. This also made Cardi B the first female rapper to achieve such a feat. As of November 2018, the song has reached number one on the official charts of 15 countries and the top 10 of 33 countries around the world.

THOUGHTS ON TAKI TAKI

When this song was first announced back last year, I honestly didn’t know what to expect from it, or imagine what it could sound like.

DJ Snake keeps “Taki Taki” a respectable length, just crossing the three-and-a-half-minute mark.  As is common these days, there are numerous co-writers making the record possible.  Set in a minor key, “Taki Taki” has a dark sound, perfectly suited for the reggaetón-tinged vibe. 

Naturally the production is utterly superb, with the choice of synths, drum programming, and an infectious groove. The record opens with vocals by Ozuna on the chorus and first verse, performed exclusively in Spanish. Cardi B drops some sick bars on the second verse, performed in English. Of course, she also dips into Spanish on the bridge that follows. Arguably her best lines:

“You hoes got no class, you bitches is broke still

I be talking cash, shit, while I’m popping my gold grill

I’m a whole rich bitch, and I work like I’m broke still

But the love be so fake, but the hate be so real.”

Gomez sings the final chorus herself, with a few contributions from Ozuna. All in all, “Taki Taki” is an awesome, Latin-tinged collab dance track. It’s 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 commits to their part and the end result reflects such.