I Like It – Cardi B, Bad Bunny & J Balvin

Cardi B’s “I Like It,” featuring Bad Bunny and J Balvin, is a cultural phenomenon that took the world by storm upon its release in 2018. This vibrant and infectious track blends Latin trap with hip-hop, creating a sound that is both contemporary and rooted in traditional Latin music. The song’s success is a testament to the power of cross-genre collaboration and the global appeal of Latin music. This article explores the creation, impact, and legacy of “I Like It.”

The Creation of “I Like It”
“I Like It” is part of Cardi B’s debut studio album, “Invasion of Privacy.” The song was produced by J. White Did It and features prominent Latin artists Bad Bunny and J Balvin. The track samples Pete Rodriguez’s 1967 boogaloo song “I Like It Like That,” a classic that brings an irresistible Latin flair to the modern beat. This sampling bridges the past and the present, giving the song a timeless quality while making it accessible to contemporary audiences.

Cardi B, whose real name is Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar, co-wrote the song with Bad Bunny, J Balvin, J. White Did It, Tainy, and others. The lyrics are a celebration of wealth, success, and enjoying life, delivered with Cardi B’s signature confidence and charisma. Each artist brings their unique style to the track: Cardi B’s energetic rap verses, Bad Bunny’s melodic reggaeton flow, and J Balvin’s smooth delivery.

The Music Video
The official music video for “I Like It,” directed by Eif Rivera, is a visual feast that perfectly complements the song’s lively and festive vibe. Filmed in Miami, the video showcases the city’s vibrant Latin culture, with scenes of colorful street parties, lively dancing, and stylish fashion.

Cardi B shines in the video, exuding glamour and confidence in a series of eye-catching outfits. Bad Bunny and J Balvin also bring their flair, with the video capturing their dynamic stage presence and chemistry with Cardi B. The video’s bright colors, energetic choreography, and celebratory atmosphere make it a joy to watch, enhancing the song’s appeal.

Chart Performance and Critical Reception
“I Like It” was a commercial triumph, quickly rising to the top of the charts. It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, making Cardi B the first female rapper to achieve multiple number-one hits on this chart. The song also topped charts in several other countries, including Canada, Greece, Portugal, and Switzerland.

Critics praised “I Like It” for its infectious energy and seamless fusion of Latin and hip-hop elements. The song was hailed as a standout track on “Invasion of Privacy,” showcasing Cardi B’s versatility as an artist and her ability to collaborate with international stars. The blend of different musical styles and cultures was seen as a reflection of the increasingly global nature of popular music.

Cultural Impact
“I Like It” played a significant role in the rise of Latin trap and reggaeton in mainstream music. The collaboration between Cardi B, Bad Bunny, and J Balvin brought Latin sounds to a broader audience, helping to break down cultural barriers and introduce new listeners to the genre. The song’s success highlighted the growing influence of Latin artists in the global music industry and paved the way for more cross-genre collaborations.

The song also became a cultural anthem, resonating with fans for its celebration of success, self-confidence, and Latin heritage. The infectious beat, catchy lyrics, and vibrant visuals made “I Like It” a favorite at parties, clubs, and festivals around the world. The track’s widespread popularity demonstrated the universal appeal of Latin music and its power to unite people across different backgrounds.

Legacy
“I Like It” remains one of the most iconic songs of the late 2010s, a testament to the power of collaboration and the global reach of Latin music. Cardi B, Bad Bunny, and J Balvin each continued to build on the success of the song, becoming major figures in the music industry with a string of subsequent hits.

The song’s impact is evident in the continued popularity of Latin trap and reggaeton, which have become staples of mainstream music. Artists from diverse genres increasingly collaborate with Latin musicians, creating a rich tapestry of sounds that reflect the interconnected nature of today’s musical landscape.

Conclusion
Cardi B, Bad Bunny, and J Balvin’s “I Like It” is more than just a hit song; it is a cultural milestone that redefined the possibilities of Latin music in the global market. Its blend of Latin rhythms and hip-hop elements created a fresh and exciting sound that captivated audiences worldwide. The song’s success opened doors for further cross-genre collaborations and highlighted the universal appeal of Latin music. As a celebration of success, culture, and identity, “I Like It” continues to resonate with fans and stands as a shining example of the power of music to bring people together.

Yeah baby, I like it like that
You gotta’ believe me when I tell you
I said I like it like that
You gotta’ believe me when I tell you
I said I like it like
Now I like dollars, I like diamonds, I like stunting, I like shining
I like million dollar deals, where’s my pen, bitch I’m signin’ (Signin’)
I like those Balenciagas (Those), the ones that look like socks
I like going to the jeweler, I put rocks all in my watch (Cha-ching)
I like texts from my exes, when they want a second chance (What?)
I like proving niggas wrong, I do what they say I can’t (She can’t)
They call me Cardi Bardi, banging body, spicy mami, hot tamale
Hotter than a Somali, fur coat, Ferrari
Hop out the stu’, jump in the coupe (Coupe)
Big Dipper on top of the roof
Flexing on bitches as hard as I can
Eating halal, driving the Lam’
Told that bitch I’m sorry (Sorry)
‘Bout my coins like Mario (Mario)
Yeah they call me Cardi B
I run this shit like cardio
Oh, damn
Diamond district in the jag (Gang, I said I like it like that)
Certified, you know I’m gang, gang (Gang, gang I said I like it like)
Drop the top and blow the brains, wouh (Wouh! I said I like it like that)
Oh he’s so handsome, what’s his name? (Yeah, wouh, I said I like it)
Oh I need the dollars, cha-ching (I said I like it like that)
Beat it up like piñatas (I said I like it like)
Tell the driver, close the curtains (I said I like it like that, skrt)
Bad bitch make him nervous (I said I like it)
Cardi B
Chambean, chambean, pero no jalan (¡Jalan!)
Tú compras to’a las Jordan, bo’, a mí me las regalan (Hehe-he)
I spend in the club (wouh), what you have in the bank (Yeah)
This is the new religion, bang, en Latino gang, gang, yeah
Trato de hacer dieta (Yeah), pero es que en el closet tengo mucha grasa (Wouh)
Ya mudé la’ Gucci pa’ dentro de casa, yeh (¡Wouh!)
Cabrón, a ti no te conocen ni en Plaza (No)
El Diablo me llama, pero Jesucristo me abraza (Amén)
Guerrero como Eddie, que viva la raza, yeh
Me gustan boricuas, me gustan cubana’
Me gusta el acento de las colombianas (¿Qué hubo pues?)
Como mueve el culo la dominicana (¿Qué lo que?)
Lo rico que me chingan las venezolanas (¡Wouh!)
Andamos activos, Perico Pin Pin (Wouh)
Billetes de cien en el maletín (Ching)
Que retumbe el bajo, Bobby Valentín, yeh (Boo)
Aquí es prohibido amar, diles, Charytín
Que pal’ picor les tengo Claritín
Yo llego a la disco y se forma el motín (Rrr)
Diamond district in the jag (Gang, I said I like it like that)
Bad Bunny baby, bebé, bebé, bebé
Certified, you know I’m gang, gang (Gang, gang I said I like it like)
Drop the top and blow the brains, wouh (Wouh! I said I like it like that)
Oh he’s so handsome, what’s his name? (Yeah, wouh, I said I like it)
Oh I need the dollars, cha-ching (I said I like it like that)
Beat it up like piñatas (I said I like it like)
Tell the driver, close the curtains (I said I like it like that, skrt)
Bad bitch make him nervous (I said I like it)
Como Celia Cruz tengo el azúcar (azúca’)
Tu jeva me vio y se fue de pecho como Jimmy Snuka (Ah)
Te vamos tumbar la peluca
Y arranca pal’ carajo, cabrón, que a ti no te vo’a pasar la hookah (Hookah, hookah)
Mis tenis Balenciaga me reciben en la entrada (Wouh)
Pa-pa-pa-parazzi, like I’m Lady Gaga (Wouh)
Y no te me hagas (Hey)
Que en cover de Billboard tú has visto mi cara (Hey)
No salgo de tu mente (Wouh)
Donde quieras que viajes has escuchado “Mi Gente”
Yo no soy high (high), soy como el Testarossa (‘Rossa)
Yo soy el que se la vive y también el que la goza (Goza, goza)
Es la cosa, mami es la cosa (Cosa, cosa)
El que mira sufre y el que toca goza (Goza, goza)
I said I like it like that
I said I like it like that (Rrr)
I said I like it like that (Wouh)
I said I like it like that
Diamond district in the jag (Gang, I said I like it like that)
Certified, you know I’m gang, gang (Gang, gang I said I like it like)
Drop the top and blow the brains, wouh (I said I like it like that)
Oh he’s so handsome, what’s his name? (I said I like it)