In 2018, Cardi B released her debut studio album “Invasion of Privacy” which featured the global hit single “I Like It” featuring Puerto Rican rapper Bad Bunny and Colombian singer J Balvin. On the surface, a collaboration between an Afro-Latina rapper from New York, a Puerto Rican trap artist, and a Colombian reggaeton singer may seem like an unlikely pairing. However, “I Like It” was a massive commercial and critical success, topping charts around the world and winning a Grammy Award. The song’s fusion of Latin trap, reggaeton, and hip hop helped introduce mainstream American audiences to Latin urban music while also exposing Latin audiences to Cardi B. Despite only collaborating on this one song so far, Cardi B and J Balvin helped pave the way for greater acceptance and popularity of Latin music in the mainstream.
Prior to “I Like It,” Cardi B had established herself as a rising star in the hip hop scene with her viral personality and freestyle videos on social media. Her breakout single “Bodak Yellow” in 2017 topped the Billboard Hot 100 and cemented her status as a force to be reckoned with in the rap game. However, she had yet to work with any major Latin artists. J Balvin, on the other hand, was already a hugely popular figure in Latin music who had collaborated with major American artists like Beyoncé, Selena Gomez, and Pharrell Williams in the past. His reggaeton hits like “Ginza” and “Ay Vamos” helped introduce the sound of Latin trap to global audiences.
When it came to “I Like It,” the collaboration came about organically. Bad Bunny had previously worked with Balvin on songs like “Si Tu Novio Te Deja Sola” and brought the idea of collaborating with Cardi B to the producers of “I Like It” – partynextdoor and DJ Snake. According to an interview with Billboard, partynextdoor said “When we were making the song, we thought it would be really dope to get a female artist on it. Bad Bunny was like, ‘Yo, I think Cardi would sound really good on this.’”
The song’s production is a fusion of hip hop, reggaeton, and Latin trap. It features Cardi B and Bad Bunny trading fiery bars in English and Spanish over DJ Snake’s electronic-infused beat layered with Latin percussion. J Balvin contributes melodic singing in Spanish, blending reggaeton and pop sensibilities. Lyrically, the song is an ode to a lover one finds irresistible.
Upon its release in June 2018, “I Like It” was an immediate commercial success. It debuted at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Cardi B’s second #1 single and the first mainly Spanish-language song to top the chart since Los Del Rio’s “Macarena” in 1996. The song also topped charts in countries around the world like Australia, Canada, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.
Culturally, “I Like It” helped introduce many American audiences to Latin urban music styles like reggaeton and Latin trap that were already hugely popular globally. Cardi B’s star power combined with J Balvin and Bad Bunny’s Latin fanbases helped the song find a massive audience. At the same time, it exposed Latin music listeners to Cardi B’s charismatic flow and persona. As one of the first major crossover hits fusing English and Spanish, “I Like It” helped pave the way for greater acceptance of bilingual pop songs in the mainstream.
The music video, directed by Dave Meyers, showcased the song’s party atmosphere with vibrant colors and choreography. It featured cameos from celebrities like Fat Joe, DJ Khaled, and Mariah Carey. With over 1.5 billion views on YouTube, it became one of the most-watched music videos ever. The video took the song’s global popularity to new heights and cemented it as a cultural moment.
Critically, “I Like It” received widespread praise. Rolling Stone called it “a party-starting bilingual banger” and “a master class in genre-blending.” The New York Times described it as “a joyful, bilingual celebration of self-assurance.” Pitchfork lauded Cardi B’s “charismatic flow” and praised the song’s “infectious energy.”
At the 2019 Grammy Awards, “I Like It” won the award for Best Rap/Sung Performance, making Cardi B the first female rapper to win the category. It was also nominated for Record of the Year. J Balvin made history as the first Latin artist to perform at the Grammys, joined by Bad Bunny and Young Thug for a rendition of “I Like It.” The performance helped further cement the song’s impact and introduce Latin music to a massive global audience tuned into the Grammys.
While Cardi B and J Balvin have not collaborated again since “I Like It,” the song’s success left a major impact. It helped introduce Cardi B to Latin music fans worldwide while also exposing mainstream American audiences to Latin urban styles. As one of the first major crossover hits blending English and Spanish, it paved the way for greater acceptance of bilingual pop songs. The song’s fusion of hip hop, reggaeton, and Latin trap also foreshadowed the rising popularity of the Latin trap genre in the mainstream.
Artists like Ozuna, Bad Bunny, and Daddy Yankee have since achieved major commercial success blending Latin sounds with hip hop and pop. Hits like “Taki Taki” (DJ Snake, Selena Gomez, Ozuna, Cardi B), “Mia” (Bad Bunny, Drake), and “Despacito” (Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee, featuring Justin Bieber) built upon the foundation laid by “I Like It” in bringing Latin music into the mainstream. According to Billboard, Latin music has seen a 600% increase in on-demand audio streams in the U.S. since 2017.
While Cardi B and J Balvin have not collaborated again, their impactful partnership on “I Like It” helped accelerate the growing popularity and acceptance of Latin music globally. The song’s massive success proved that a fusion of hip hop, reggaeton, and Latin trap could find audiences worldwide. It set an example for future bilingual pop hits blending English and Spanish. Most importantly, “I Like It” was simply an immensely fun and catchy party song that still holds up as one of the defining hits of 2018. Even with just one collaboration so far, Cardi B and J Balvin left an indelible mark by introducing new audiences to Latin music and paving the way for future crossover hits.
