Ritmo (song)

Lore & Background

Billboard's writer Jessica Roiz compared "Ritmo" to "The Rhythm of the Night", writing that the first one "fuses hip-hop, EDM, and reggaeton, has Spanish and English verses without interrupting the original chorus from 'The Rhythm of the Night'". In a less enthusiastic review, Gary Suarez of Rolling Stone wrote that "the overextended J Balvin atop a convenient confluence of virally primed factors" which "proved irresistible to radio programmers and streaming playlisters", but he defined the use of Corona's sample a "plunder".

The official video of the song, directed by Colin Tilley, was released on YouTube on October 11, 2019, on the official YouTube's Black Eyed Peas channel. The first line of the song's rap, "No son ni Reebok ni son Nike", references a viral clip in which a Dominican radio caller requests Corona's "The Rhythm of the Night" by asking the host to play the song

Reader's Guide

"Ritmo" marked a commercial comeback for Black Eyed Peas, becoming their first top 40 entry on the US Billboard Hot 100 since 2011 and their 17th Hot 100 entry overall. It debuted at number 100 and peaked at number 26, staying on the chart for 27 weeks. On Billboard's Mainstream Top 40 chart, the song peaked at number 8, and it spent 24 weeks at number one on the Hot Latin Songs chart. The song's sample of Corona's "The Rhythm of the Night" and its viral-inspired lyric helped it gain widespread radio and streaming play. Jennifer Lopez was originally intended to appear on the remix version, but Jaden Smith appeared on the remix instead, which was released on the film's soundtrack. The song's significance lies in its fusion of genres and its role in reintroducing Black Eyed Peas to the pop and Latin charts after a multi-year absence.

Did You Know?

• The song features a slowed down sample of the 1993 song "The Rhythm of the Night" by the Italian group Corona.
• Jennifer Lopez was originally intended to appear on the remix version, but Jaden Smith appeared instead.
• The song was performed live at the closing ceremony of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games in the Philippines.
• The first line of the rap references a viral clip of a Dominican radio caller requesting Corona's song.

Origins and Creative Decisions

Ritmo emerged as the lead single from the Bad Boys for Life soundtrack, hitting shelves through Epic Records on October 11, 2019, and also finding a permanent home on Black Eyed Peas' eighth studio album, Translation. The track's sonic identity is built around a deliberately slowed-down excerpt from Corona's 1993 hit "The Rhythm of the Night," a song originally performed by Italian vocalist Jenny B, who served as the ghost-voice behind the Italian group's project. This sampling choice gave the collaboration a nostalgic, dance-floor-ready foundation that the group and J Balvin layered with their own verses. The song's remix version carried an interesting behind-the-scenes twist: Jennifer Lopez was initially slated to contribute, but Jaden Smith ultimately stepped in instead. His involvement was no coincidence, as his father had starred in the third installment of the Bad Boys franchise. Smith's version of the track appeared on the film's official soundtrack, adding a generational connection to the movie's history.

Chart Dominance and Milestones

The commercial trajectory of Ritmo marked a significant comeback moment for Black Eyed Peas. The track entered the US Billboard Hot 100 at position 100 and climbed to a peak of number 26, maintaining its presence on the chart for a full 27 weeks. This represented the group's 17th entry on that particular chart and, notably, their first since "Don't Stop the Party" reached number 86 back in 2011. Even more striking, it was their first top-40 placement since "Just Can't Get Enough" soared to number 3 in the same year. On Billboard's Mainstream Top 40, the song reached an impressive number 8. In the Latin music space, Ritmo achieved extraordinary longevity, spending 24 consecutive weeks at the top of the Hot Latin Songs chart. Beyond the charts, the song found a high-profile live stage when it was performed at the closing ceremony of the 2019 Southeast Asian Games held in the Philippines, showcasing its crossover appeal across continents and genres.

Critical Perspectives

Reviews of Ritmo revealed a divided critical landscape. Jessica Roiz of Billboard offered a favorable assessment, drawing a direct parallel between the new track and Corona's original "The Rhythm of the Night." She highlighted how the song successfully fuses hip-hop, EDM, and reggaeton while carrying both Spanish and English verses, all without disrupting the recognizable chorus borrowed from the 1993 Italian hit. In contrast, Gary Suarez of Rolling Stone delivered a markedly cooler reception. He described J Balvin as overextended and positioned atop what he called a convenient confluence of virally primed factors. While acknowledging the track's undeniable traction, Suarez noted it proved irresistible to radio programmers and streaming playlisters, suggesting its success was more a product of timing and industry momentum than artistic innovation. Most pointedly, he characterized the group's use of Corona's sample not as a tribute but as a plunder, framing the creative decision in terms that questioned the boundaries of sampling as an artistic practice.

Cultural Easter Eggs and Visual Presentation

Beneath the surface of Ritmo lies a clever nod to internet culture that rewards attentive listeners. The opening line of the rap section declares "No son ni Reebok ni son Nike," which translates to "They are neither Reebok or Nike." This lyric is a direct reference to a viral moment in which a Dominican radio caller attempted to request Corona's "The Rhythm of the Night" by telling the host to play the song that goes "esos son Reebok o son Nike" — essentially asking for the track containing the phrase "are those Reebok or Nike." The host impressively identified and played the correct song based on that cryptic clue alone, and the clip subsequently went viral. By embedding this reference, Black Eyed Peas and J Balvin wove a piece of Caribbean radio folklore directly into the song's DNA. On the visual front, the official music video was directed by Colin Tilley and premiered on October 11, 2019, on the Black Eyed Peas' official YouTube channel, giving the track an immediate visual identity alongside its audio release.

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