Nicky Jam and J Balvin’s “X (EQUIS)” is taking the pop culture world by storm. Not only is the song a bop with a touch of dancehall and reggae, the song has sparked the X Challenge and the videos are everything.
Nicky Jam and J Balvin created a fire hit with “X (Equis).”
The video has almost 600 million views on YouTube in almost two months. Billboard claims that the song is changing the game for the urban genre.
It’s obvi Nicky Jam and J Balvin had fun while working on the music video in Miami.
Fans are also all ? ? ? while getting down with más flow following J Balvin’s invite for his followers to send in their best dance moves following the release of the music video on YouTube.
It was the fancy footwork that got everyone’s attention.
Celebs and dance enthusiasts answered the #XChallenge with their own hyped up versions dancing to the Afro, pop and synth beats presented on the track.
Will Smith recently showed off his #XChallenge skill in Cartagena, Colombia with Nicky Jam.
Across the pond, mother-daughter dancing duo Alba and Alexis from the show ‘Pequeños Gigantes’ twisted and turned together as they got their cardio dance workout in.
Video content creator QPark didn’t give AF about crowds watching him as he contorted and swayed on a busy NYC crosswalk.
She said they definitely lost the #XChallenge but props for putting their dance moves out there in front of millions of people. This is so much more terrifying than the anxiety-inducing moment Payaso De Rodeo’s “Caballo Dorado” comes on at your prima’s wedding.
Speaking of el brindis, even a bride and groom took the #XChallenge to the dance floor.
The beloved singer-songwriter with a five-octave vocal range is calling for the use of that power with her latest music video for her new song “Save the Day.” The song which features Lauryn Hill summons her fans to take action this year and vote their hearts out. The new single comes from Carey’s new two-disc compilation album, The Rarities which is available now and is a reminder that when it comes to our future “it’s up to us.”
And while the message behind “Save the Day” is getting quite a bit of love for how powerful it is, really it’s its drive to elevate Black Stories that is getting attention.
To create the animated music video, Carey partnered with PushBlack, a non-profit media organization that produces Black stories, to honor Black influencers. Kerry Washington, PushBlack’s Julian Black, and the agency Maestra’s De’Ara Balenger and Zara Rahim worked to produce the film. Throughout the animated video, portraits of important Black people and essential workers come across the screen.
The video pays tribute to Black Lives Matter inspiration Breonna Taylor, Congressman John Lewis, Sojourner Truth, Fredrick Douglass, and trans activist Raquel Willis with powerful animations. The video also features essential workers.
This isn’t the first video created for “Save the Day.”
Carey issued another version of the video for the song at the opening ceremony for the Women’s U.S. Open. The animated version however works to illustrate the song’s themes in a way that works as a call to action to all watching to do their part in restoring our democracy.
“Our country is at a critical moment in history, and I felt compelled to do what I could using my platform of music to encourage us all to take action,” Carey said in a statement about the video. “My hope is that the ’Save The Day’ video will serve as an inspiring message and spark meaningful dialogue and action across the country, for each of us to do our part to save the day.’ The lyrics of this song are all about doing your part to make a difference and highlighting the impact that each of us can make. Whether you’re an essential worker, a protestor, a student, a young parent making it work, or a first-time voter, we each have a duty to support our communities.”
Speaking about her daughter’s appearance in the video, Tamika Palmer issued a press announcement.
“Breonna’s life was tragically and wrongfully taken from her, but her death cannot be in vain,” Palmer stated. “There is so much at stake and we all must do our part. Having my beautiful daughter featured in the video is a testament to our people coming together in the face of tremendous adversity.”
Check out the Lyrics to “Save the Day” below
[Intro: Mariah Carey] We’re all in this together You’re my only hope And it’s too divided, too deep to understand But if we don’t do it, tell me, who will? Oh, we always say these words that don’t mean too much I wonder, where is the love? It’s curious The fear still holding us down One day, will we look up?
[Verse 1: Mariah Carey] You got a right to your own opinion But when it comes to the world we live in Isn’t it time that we start rebuilding All of the things that have basically crumbled? We all tend to forget that We all cease to exist if Wе all live for ourselves If nobody bothеrs to find a solution
[Chorus: Mariah Carey] If he won’t, and she won’t, and they won’t, then we won’t We won’t ever learn to save the day, woah, oh If he won’t, and she won’t, and they won’t, then we won’t We won’t ever learn to save the day
[Verse 2: Mariah Carey] We’re all in this together You’re my only hope (Only hope) And it’s too divided, too deep to understand But if we don’t do it, tell me, who will? Yeah Always say these words that don’t mean too much I wonder, where is the love? It’s curious That fear still holding us back One day, will we look up? It’s up to us
[Chorus: Mariah Carey] If he won’t, and she won’t, and they won’t, then we won’t We won’t ever learn to save the day, woah, oh (To save the day, to save the day) If he won’t, and she won’t, and they won’t, then we won’t (Come on, come on) (Will we?) We won’t ever learn to save the day (Ever learn, no)
[Bridge: Mariah Carey & Lauryn Hill] La-la-la, la, la-la, la Woah, la Woah, la (Ah, ah, ah) La If he won’t, and she won’t, and they won’t, then we won’t We won’t ever learn to save the day, woah, oh (To save the day) If he won’t, and she won’t, and they won’t, then we won’t (And she won’t) We won’t ever learn to save the day, woah, oh (I’ma have to learn to save the day) If he won’t, and she won’t, and they won’t, then we won’t (All God’s children, all God’s children) We won’t ever learn to save the day (All God’s children, to save the day)
[Outro: Mariah Carey] We gon’ learn, we gon’ learn Said we gotta learn
Last year’s Latin Grammys caused an uproar on social media after the nominees list was released. Many fans and artists noticed the lack of representation of the Reggaeton music genre. “Sin reggaeton no hay Latin Grammy,” read many of the posts on social media, but this year seems to be different.
This year’s nominees accurately represent the changing culture in Latin music as it shifts more towards the reggaeton genre. Here are my top picks for some of my favorite categories.
Record of the Year
Record of the Year is always one of the toughest picks as many of my favorite songs are included in this category. This year it seems pretty competitive as Bad Bunny’s Vete competes with Karol G and Nicki Minaj’s Tusa. Karol G is competing against herself with the song China by Anuel AA, Daddy Yankee, Karol G, Featuring Ozuna and J Balvin. But at the end, Tusa by Karol G and Nicki Minaj should take the win as the overall production of the song is what makes it so great. From the rhythm to the lyrics, Tusa deserves the Grammy.
Album of the Year
In 2019, we had a lack of reggaeton nominees in this category, but this year the list includes two reggaeton superstars: Bad Bunny and J Balvin. Both are nominated for their joint album OASIS and their solo albums, Colores and YHLQMDLG. To me, it’s clear that the winner of this category will be Bad Bunny with YHLQMDLG. The 20-song album delivered Latin trap with a variety of moods, whether it was a post-breakup heartbreak, our on-pause summer anthems, or the heartfelt thank you at the end. This album was highly anticipated and it delivered.
Best New Artist
The top contestants in this category are Anuel AA, Rauw Alejandro, and Cazzu. While Rauw Alejandro has had some big hits this year, such as “El Efecto,” “Tattoo,” “Elegi,” and “TBT,” it is very likely that Anuel AA will take the Grammy home. Anuel AA was snubbed from a best new artist nomination last year, but he has been very successful since then which shows his growth as a new artist.
Song of the Year
While there are many great songs nominated in this category, “ADMV” by Maluma stands out the most. The song was released during quarantine and was written by the artist as a dedication to all the people in his life that he loves. The song, which touches upon love and growing old with one’s significant other is a very heartfelt balada and one that gives us a whole new side to Maluma. The lyrics of the song and the overall composition gives us all the feels and reminds us to hug our loved ones a little tighter and tell them that we love them.
Best Regional Song
The top nominees in this genre include Christian Nodal with AYAYAY! and Natalia Lafourcade con MI RELIGIÓN. While I am a huge fan of Natalia Lafourcade, Christian Nodal will most likely take the win with this upbeat and modern song. What makes the song work for Nodal is that it is still rooted in the regional genre.
Best Short Form Music Video
If you haven’t seen J.Balvin’s video for Rojo, please do yourself a favor and watch it now! But be prepared with tissues, this video delivers pain, acceptance, and even a message to its viewers. The video starts with Balvin receiving the news that his daughter was born, as he rushes to the hospital on the phone with his mom, he crashes and dies. But he is not conscious of his death and his spirit makes it to the hospital. The rest of the video shows Balvin following the life of his daughter as she grows up. This video delivers an exceptional story in less than 5 minutes and is a grammy-winning performance.
To see who will win be sure to tune in! The 21st annual Latin Grammys will air on Univision, Nov. 19, 2020.
