Qué Rico Fuera
| "Qué Rico Fuera" | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Single by Ricky Martin and Paloma Mami | ||||
| from the album Play | ||||
| Language |
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| English title | "How Sweet It Would Be" | |||
| Released | June 10, 2021 | |||
| Recorded | 2021 | |||
| Genre | ||||
| Length | 3:37 | |||
| Label | Sony Latin | |||
| Songwriter(s) |
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| Producer(s) |
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| Ricky Martin singles chronology | ||||
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| Paloma Mami singles chronology | ||||
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| Music video | ||||
| "Qué Rico Fuera" on YouTube | ||||
"Qué Rico Fuera" (transl. "How Sweet It Would Be") is a song recorded by Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin and Chilean-American singer Paloma Mami for Martin's second extended play, Play (2021). The song was written by Martin, Mami, Kevyn Mauricio Cruz, Juan Camilo Vargas, and Wissem Larfaoui, while the production was handled by Vargas, Cruz and Larfaoui. It was released for digital download and streaming by Sony Music Latin on June 10, 2021 as the lead single from the EP.
A primarily Spanish language urban pop, Afro-Latin and Latin pop song, its lyrics are sensual and flirty. "Qué Rico Fuera" received widely positive reviews from music critics, who complimented its fusion of sounds. An accompanying music video, released simultaneously with the song, was directed by Dominican director Jessy Terrero and filmed in Simi Valley, California. It depicts Martin and Mami getting ready for a celebration at night.
Background and release[]
Ricky Martin started recording his eleventh studio album, initially titled Movimiento, in the second half of 2019, inspired by the 2019 political protests in Puerto Rico.[1] While, because of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent personal experiences, Martin decided to split the album Movimiento into the two EPs Pausa and Play.[2] On May 21, 2021, Martin shared a photo from the music video on Instagram, with the caption, "Coming soon. #Videoshoot #newsingle".[3] On June 2, People revealed the single's release date in an article and mentioned that it would be the lead single for Play.[4] Two days later, Martin announced that he has collaborated with Paloma Mami on the song, and revealed the song's title as "Qué Rico Fuera".[5] In an interview with People, Martin told the magazine:
I felt it was the perfect song to collaborate with this incredible artist from Chile who I'd happen to be listening to for a while named Paloma Mami... and wait until you see this girl! She brought that flavor to the track.[6]
Mami told Vos magazine: "When they called me I couldn't believe it. I was so excited! Anyone would get this way knowing that they would be working with someone as tremendously talented as Ricky."[7] Finally, due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, the two singers recorded the song separately, and then they met for the first time at the video shoot in California.[8] The song was released for digital download and streaming by Sony Music Latin on June 11, 2021,[9] marking the first collaboration between Martin and Paloma Mami.[10]
Music and lyrics[]
Musically, "Qué Rico Fuera" is a primarily Spanish language urban pop, Afro-Latin and Latin pop song,[6][11][12] written by Martin, Mami, Kevyn Mauricio Cruz, Juan Camilo Vargas, and Wissem Larfaoui. Its production was handled by Vargas, Cruz and Larfaoui,[13] and the song features elements of reggaeton, Afro-beats and Tropical vibes.[6][12] Martin says that the rhythms are influenced by his DNA,[12] and explains: "My thing is to find the magic in different cultures and break barriers. At the end of the day, I grab a bit of the rhythms that move me, turn them into my sound, and that's the dynamic that has worked."[11] He also expresses that "it's all about the mix, the union and cultures".[6]
The single runs for a total of 3 minutes and 37 seconds,[9] and lyrically, "Qué Rico Fuera" which translates to "How Sweet It Would Be" in English, is described as "sultry" and "sensual".[6][11] Martin sings about a potential night in ecstasy, and Mami, who sings in Spanglish, offers her own evening of fun.[10] The "flirty" lyrics include "Regálame una noche entera / Que yo te doy lo que tú quiera" ("Give me a whole night / That I give you what you want").[14][15] In an interview with Grammy.com, Martin told the website: "One thing is sensuality. One thing is sexuality. Let's mix them both. When I walk onstage, I bring my culture with me. I'm Latino and we're not afraid of playing with our sexuality, so that's important. Why run away from that?"[12]
Critical reception[]
Upon release, "Qué Rico Fuera" was met with universal acclaim from music critics. Jessica Roiz from Billboard described it as "a rhythmic Caribbean bop".[11] Los 40's Javier Sandoval gave it a positive review, saying it is "a sound party capable of making those who listen to it happy immediately, something more than valuable in these difficult days".[16] Lucas Villa from mitú applauded the track: "Martin and Mami prove to be a dream time on this alluring club banger."[10] Cadena Dial's MJ Aledón labeled it "an original, refreshing and highly necessary song at this time".[17] Also from Cadena Dial, Noelia Bertol ranked it as one of "Ricky Martin six collaborations that have us moving the skeleton" and named it "[a] very powerful collaboration".[18] Monitor Latino's Josh Mendez called the song a "potential hit" and admired it for taking its listeners "back to those nights of partying and seduction", before COVID-19 pandemic.[19]
Writing for FM Dos, Carla López praised the single, saying it "mixes genres such as pop, Afro-Latin and urban music, for an incredible result".[14] Marcin Michałowski from Radio Złote Przeboje complimented its lyrics "that make 'Qué Rico Fuera' the perfect summer item" and an author of SlovakWoman.sk called the track a "catchy song".[20][21] Pronto.com staff named it "a mega success with the emerging international artist Paloma Mami that promises to make everyone dance".[22] In her review for Liguria Oggi, Redazione Liguria described it as "a perfect summer hit" and wrote: "Ricky Martin and Paloma Mami are ready to make the whole world dance to the tune of 'Qué Rico Fuera'."[23] Sam Damshenas from Gay Times labeled the track "a certified smash" and "a dance banger".[24]
Music video[]
On June 10, 2021, Martin and Mami shared snippets of the accompanying music video and announced that it would be released the following day.[25][26] The visual was released alongside the song on the specified date. The video was filmed in Simi Valley, California, and directed by Dominican director Jessy Terrero,[27] who had previously directed the videos for Martin's singles "Adrenalina", "Que Se Sienta El Deseo", and "Vente Pa' Ca".[28][29] The music video begins with Martin walking in a street, while three girls dance when he starts singing. Then two dancers join behind the singer, as he continues singing and dancing in the street. In the next scene, the singers get ready for a celebration at night. Martin enters a barbershop and makes everyone stop working, and dance to the beat of the music. Then, Mami appears in a room full of colors and pink lighting along with two other girls who join in the dance. The audiovisual alternates the two scenarios, one, in which Ricky asks for a whole night, and the other, in which Mami conditions him. Martin changes clothes in front of everyone's eyes as he enters the changing rooms of a fashion house, and picks a gala dress that quickly shows off with his bare chest. Finally both singers appear together in a celebration in the street full of many lights, giving dynamism to the image.[15][30]
Alicia Civita from Los Angeles Times wrote about "Qué Rico Fuera" video: "It has a playful and tropical tone, which oscillates between fun and sensuality. In fact, it fits perfectly in the Latin aesthetic of this summer, marked by the saturation of colors and the sophistication of scenes of daily life that is seen in the movie In the Heights." She also praised the chemistry between the two singers, considering the fact that they had just met shortly before recording the music video.[27] Lucas Villa from mitú described the visual as "hot-and-heavy" and said it "arrives just in time for the summer season".[10] He also labeled it "[a] neon-lit music video" in his Grammy.com article.[12]
Live performances and appearances in media[]
Martin and Mami gave their first live performance of "Qué Rico Fuera" at the 18th Annual Premios Juventud on July 22, 2021, which was ranked as one of the best and most memorable moments of the ceremony by Entertainment Tonight.[31] Mar Tarrés and Franco Mariotti danced to the song on the fifteenth season of Argentine dance competition television series Bailando por un Sueño.[32]
Track listing[]
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Qué Rico Fuera" | 3:37 |
Credits and personnel[]
Credits adapted from Tidal.[13]
- Ricky Martin – vocal, composer, lyricist, associated performer
- Paloma Mami – vocal, composer, lyricist, associated performer
- Kevyn Mauricio Cruz – composer, lyricist, producer
- Juan Camilo Vargas – composer, lyricist, producer
- Wissem Larfaoui – composer, lyricist, producer
- Mayra del Valle – A&R coordinator
- Izzy De Jesús – A&R director
- Felipe Tichaur – mastering engineer
- Alejandro Patiño "Mosty" – mixing engineer
- Angelo Carretta – recording engineer
Charts[]
Weekly charts[]
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Monthly charts[]
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Release history[]
| Region | Date | Format(s) | Label | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Various | June 10, 2021 | Sony Music Latin | [9] | |
| Latin America | June 11, 2021 | Contemporary hit radio | [52] |
References[]
- ^ "Ricky Martin Finds Inspiration in Puerto Rico Protests: 'The People Will Rise Up More Than Ever'". Billboard. January 28, 2020. Archived from the original on February 4, 2021. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
- ^ Sigal Ratner-Arias (May 29, 2020). "Ricky Martin makes 'Pausa' to channel newly found anxiety". ABC News. Archived from the original on June 17, 2020. Retrieved February 27, 2021.
- ^ Martin, Ricky (May 21, 2021). "Coming soon. #Videoshoot #newsingle". Retrieved June 11, 2021 – via Instagram.
- ^ Sheeler, Jason (June 2, 2021). "Ricky Martin Doesn't Want to Hide Who He Is Anymore: 'I Am a Man with No Secrets'". People. Archived from the original on June 9, 2021. Retrieved June 9, 2021.
- ^ Martin, Ricky (June 4, 2021). "So excited about this one! Can't wait to share it with you all! Are you ready @PalomaMami #QueRicoFuera #play