BEBE (feat. Anuel AA)

"BEBE" delves into themes of lust, infidelity, and the allure of a 'femme fatale' figure. The lyrics tell the story of two men, 6ix9ine and Anuel AA, who are infatuated with a woman already in a relationship. The core meaning revolves around the idea that this woman, though loved by her boyfriend, is inherently wild and unfaithful—a 'devil inside a woman'. The song argues that her current partner is neglectful and cannot handle her true nature, while the narrators can. It's a justification and celebration of their illicit affair, portraying it as more passionate and fitting for her 'diabolical' personality. The repeated question, '¿Pa' qué vas a serle fiel?' ('Why would you be faithful to him?'), serves as a rhetorical centerpiece, suggesting that loyalty to her current partner is a betrayal of her true self. The song glorifies a hedonistic and dangerous type of love, contrasting the mundane with the thrilling and forbidden.

The song narrates a story of lust and temptation, centered around a woman who is in a relationship but is unfaithful to her partner. The narrative is presented from the perspective of the men, 6ix9ine and Anuel AA, who are pursuing her. It opens with 6ix9ine setting a highly sensual and provocative scene, describing an intimate moment where the woman is encouraged to lose her inhibitions. He points out that her current boyfriend mistreats her and doesn't truly have control over her, positioning himself as a better, more exciting alternative.

Anuel AA's chorus introduces a powerful and recurring metaphor: the woman is described as a 'bebesita' (baby girl) who is also a 'diabla dentro de una mujer' (a devil inside a woman). This duality captures her essence; she is alluring and desirable, but also wild, unfaithful, and perhaps even dangerous. The lyrics state that her boyfriend loves her, but she is inherently unfaithful, especially when the sun goes down and she desires to drink and let loose. This portrayal suggests her infidelity is not just a choice but a core part of her nature, likening her to a 'hija de lucifer' (daughter of Lucifer).

6ix9ine's verse further solidifies his role as the 'criminal' who can give her the thrill her partner cannot. He uses aggressive, possessive language, suggesting that he will take her away from her current life and that her boyfriend will be forgotten, even implying violence with the 'ra-ta-ta-ta' sound effect. He repeatedly questions the point of her being faithful, framing it as a waste of her true, wild nature. This section portrays their connection as a 'manicomio' (asylum) kind of love, filled with obsession and jealousy.

Anuel AA continues this theme in his verse, describing their lavish and unrestrained encounters. He mentions luxury brands like Versace and explicit acts, reinforcing the idea of a hedonistic and passionate affair. He sees himself as having permanently marked her, both emotionally and physically. He directly tells her to forget her current man and to continue their dance, a metaphor for their relationship. The song concludes by reiterating the central theme: she is a beloved 'bebesita' but also an unfaithful 'diabla,' a creature of the night who belongs with them, not her tame partner. The recurring phrase 'Real hasta la muerte' (Real until death), Anuel AA's catchphrase, stamps the narrative with a seal of authenticity and raw intensity.

"BEBE" was released on August 31, 2018, as a single from 6ix9ine's debut album, Dummy Boy. The song was notable as it was 6ix9ine's first track performed entirely in Spanish, an effort to connect with his Latin roots, as his mother is from Mexico and his father is from Puerto Rico. This release came shortly after a well-documented trip 6ix9ine took to Mexico to meet his family for the first time. The track was produced by the American producer Ronny J, known for his work in the hip-hop scene. The collaboration with Anuel AA, a major figure in Latin trap who had recently been released from prison, was a significant move to bridge the American and Latin music markets. The song was written by Daniel Hernandez (6ix9ine), Emmanuel Gazmey Santiago (Anuel AA), and Ronald Spence Jr. (Ronny J). The accompanying music video was filmed in Miami Beach and the Four Seasons Hotel Miami, featuring vibrant, tropical imagery that complemented the song's sound.

"BEBE" is built on a standard reggaeton dembow rhythm, which provides its characteristic danceable feel. The song follows a conventional verse-chorus structure. The rhyme scheme is relatively straightforward, often relying on assonant rhymes common in Spanish-language rap and reggaeton, which prioritize flow and rhythm over perfect rhymes. For example, in the chorus, 'infiel', 'mujer', and 'beber' create a consistent sound at the end of the lines. The lyrical delivery syncopates with the beat, with both artists varying their flow to add texture. 6ix9ine's melodic, Auto-Tuned singing in the intro and his verse contrasts with Anuel AA's more grounded, rhythmic rapping style. This interplay between the melodic and percussive vocal deliveries drives the song's energy forward and keeps the structure engaging.

Musically, "BEBE" blends elements of Reggaeton and Latin trap with a distinctive, playful keyboard melody that runs throughout the track. The tempo is set at 102 BPM, creating an infectious dance rhythm. 6ix9ine's vocal delivery is a departure from his aggressive, screaming style, employing a heavily Auto-Tuned, melodic singing voice, which was a strategic choice for this crossover track. Anuel AA provides his signature baritone, authoritative rap flow, creating a dynamic contrast. Lyrically, the song utilizes code-switching, interjecting English words like 'baby' and 'he said' into the Spanish lyrics, a common technique in modern Latin urban music to enhance its global appeal. The use of onomatopoeia, such as 6ix9ine's 'ra-ta-ta-ta-ta', adds an aggressive, illustrative flair to the lyrics, suggesting violence and dominance.

"BEBE" was a massive commercial success and a significant cultural moment in the fusion of American hip-hop and Latin urban music. The song debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart, a rare feat for an all-Spanish song at the time. It also reached number 30 on the US Billboard Hot 100, demonstrating 6ix9ine's crossover appeal. The music video has amassed over 1.4 billion views on YouTube, highlighting its global reach. The song solidified 6ix9ine's status as a global artist who could successfully navigate different musical markets and boosted Anuel AA's visibility to an even wider international audience. It became a staple in clubs and on radio worldwide and is considered one of the most iconic songs of the late 2010s Latin trap and reggaeton boom.

The most prominent metaphor in "BEBE" is the characterization of the woman as a 'diabla dentro de una mujer' (a devil inside a woman). This metaphor is central to the song's theme, symbolizing her dual nature: outwardly a 'bebesita' (baby girl) but inwardly wild, seductive, and untamable. She is also called a 'hija de lucifer' (daughter of Lucifer), further emphasizing her connection to a forbidden, rebellious, and dangerous allure. This imagery serves to justify the infidelity; she isn't just cheating, she is acting according to her true, 'demonic' nature. The narrators, in turn, cast themselves as the only ones who can handle this side of her, with 6ix9ine calling himself her 'criminal' and Anuel referring to their love as one from a 'manicomio' (asylum), suggesting a chaotic and obsessive passion that transcends conventional relationships.

The most significant recurring motif is the phrase 'Bebesita' and the description of her as a 'diabla dentro de una mujer'. This juxtaposition is repeated in the chorus by both artists and encapsulates the entire theme of the song: the object of their affection is both cherished ('bebesita') and dangerously wild ('diabla'). The question '¿Pa' qué vas a serle fiel?' ('Why would you be faithful?') is another key recurring phrase that acts as the song's central thesis, challenging conventional morality. Anuel AA's ad-libs, such as 'Uah' and 'Real hasta la muerte, baby', are recurring motifs throughout his work and serve as his sonic signature, grounding the track within his brand of Latin trap.