J Balvin & Willy William, Mi Gente | Track Review 🎵

Beyoncé joins J Balvin and Willy Williams for a magnificent remix of reggaeton banger and breakout hit, “Mi Gente.”

Lately, Latin music is experiencing and uptick in popularity in the United States.  Perhaps that’s thanks to “Despacito,” a song performed by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee featuring Justin Bieber that made history on the Billboard Hot 100.  How one decides to judge “Despacito,” or its 16-week-long reign, its popularity certainly opened the door for Latin music as a whole, particularly the likes of J Balvin.  J Balvin is a big reggaeton star in Columbia, but like Latin music as a whole, his popularity is on the rise stateside.  His remix of rising single “Mi Gente,” with Willy William, featuring Beyoncé, is sure to elevate his status even more.

The best way to describe “Mi Gente?” BANGER.  From the start, it sounds like a surefire hit.  It features an infectious Latin (reggaeton), hip-hip beat. Just like the folks are dancing in the accompanying music video, the listener feels the same urge. This is not only because of the groove itself, but the production work as a whole.  While the Spanish is likely to pack more punch with fluent or native speakers, it still has a significant impact regardless whoever’s listening.

J Balvin is on autopilot – we already know this from hearing the original. So, let’s move on to who we hadn’t hear yet, Beyoncé. On “Mi Gente,” she sings in both English and Spanish.  That’s impressive in its own right.  On the English portions, she’s naturally sexed-up. Even so, she’s not nearly as risqué as her own work as of late. Maybe tame is an overstatement, but she manages to edgy enough without crossing the line.  J Balvin and Beyoncé make a great collaborative team, trading lines throughout different parts of the song.

Final Thoughts 

All in all, “Mi Gente” is absolute fire.  J Balvin, Willy William, and Beyoncé shine on this surefire, Latin (reggaeton) banger.  Solid performances, solid production, and infectious energy for years to come.  Fire.

J Balvin & Willy William • Mi Gente (Ft. Beyoncé) – Single • Universal Music Latin • Release: 9.28.17

Photo Credit: Universal Music Latin