China

"China" is a song that revolves around the theme of infidelity and temptation within a nightclub setting. Each of the five artists contributes a verse that collectively tells the story of a person who, while out partying, meets someone new and decides to ignore their current partner's calls. The lyrics openly discuss being caught 'red-handed' and the subsequent feelings of guilt mixed with the excitement of the forbidden encounter. The song captures the internal conflict between loyalty and the thrill of a new, spontaneous connection, ultimately succumbing to the latter in the heat of the moment. It's a narrative about forgetting one's obligations for a night of dancing and passion.

The song narrates a story of infidelity set against the vibrant backdrop of a nightclub. The protagonist, Anuel AA, is at a party, fully immersed in dancing and the electric atmosphere. His partner is trying to reach him, calling his phone repeatedly, but he ignores the calls. He's completely captivated by another woman he's dancing with, a woman who embodies the wild, carefree energy of the club. He feels a pang of guilt, asking for forgiveness, yet he's unable to resist the temptation of the moment. The narrative is a confession of this lapse in judgment, a moment where the thrill of the party and a new connection overshadow his existing commitment.

Ozuna's verse continues this theme, describing the magnetic pull of the woman he's with. He notes her captivating gaze and the way she moves, acknowledging she's not looking for love but for a good time, a 'game.' He's drawn into her energy, admitting he easily gets close to her. There's a sense of danger and excitement, as he describes her body as 'pure poison' that takes him to 'heaven.'

Daddy Yankee's part adds another layer to the story of forgetting one's partner. He interpolates his own classic reggaeton hit "Ella Me Levantó," a song about being lifted up by a new woman after a breakup. In "China," he twists this, suggesting that even though he was left by one woman, this new one has lifted his spirits. He admits to getting drunk and forgetting about his partner and her constant arguments, feeling tired of the drama and ready to embrace the moment.

Karol G provides the female perspective, but not as the scorned partner. Instead, she plays the role of the 'other woman,' fully aware of the situation. Her verse is a bold declaration of the fleeting nature of their encounter. She acknowledges that her partner is likely cheating on her too, creating a sense of mutual, temporary escape. She tells the man not to recognize her if they see each other again, reinforcing the 'no strings attached' rule of their night. Her part is unapologetic and self-aware, owning the moment of passion without any illusions of a future.

J Balvin's closing verse echoes the theme of being caught up in the moment. He describes being unable to go home because he's so enthralled by the woman he's with, even starting to think of her as his partner. He blames the alcohol and the intoxicating situation for his actions, admitting he got tangled up after a few drinks. The song concludes with the repeated chorus, reinforcing the central conflict: the call from the girlfriend, the decision not to answer, and the intoxicating 'perreo' (dirty dancing) that led to forgetting all commitments.

"China" was released on July 19, 2019, as a single from Anuel AA's second album, Emmanuel. Anuel AA stated that he had been wanting to "revive a classic" and chose Shaggy's 2000 hit "It Wasn't Me" because he remembered how everyone would go crazy when it played in the clubs during his youth. The song was produced by the acclaimed Puerto Rican producer Tainy. The creation was a star-studded process; Anuel first sent the track to Daddy Yankee, who loved it and recorded his part within days. His then-partner, Karol G, also heard it and was eager to join. Later, Ozuna heard the track and "went crazy as well," adding his verse. J Balvin was the final artist to be added to the collaboration, which was not originally planned but was revealed by Billboard shortly before the release. The music video was directed by Marlon Peña, though J Balvin had to film his parts separately as the main shoot had already concluded.

"China" is built on a classic, mid-tempo reggaeton rhythm, often referred to as 'dembow,' which provides a consistent, danceable pulse throughout the track. The tempo is steady and designed for the club environment it describes. The rhyme scheme is typical for the genre, featuring a mix of consonant rhymes (e.g., "llamando" / "perreando," "contesté" / "olvidé") within a relatively simple AABB structure in the chorus, which enhances its catchiness. The verses flow with a conversational rhythm, allowing each artist's unique vocal delivery to stand out. The interplay between the rhythmic lyrics and the infectious, repetitive musical hook sampled from "It Wasn't Me" is key to the song's memorable and hypnotic quality.

Musically, the song's most prominent technique is its use of sampling. It is built around the iconic riff from Shaggy's 2000 hit "It Wasn't Me," which itself interpolates War's 1975 song "Smile Happy". This creates a sense of nostalgia while grounding the track in a globally recognized melody. The production by Tainy infuses the sample with a modern reggaeton and moombahton beat, making it a dance-floor anthem. Lyrically, the song employs a multi-perspective narrative, with each of the five superstar artists—Anuel AA, Daddy Yankee, Karol G, Ozuna, and J Balvin—contributing their own verse, creating a posse cut that explores the theme from different angles. This collaborative structure, featuring some of the biggest names in Latin music, is a stylistic choice that amplifies the song's event-like status. Anuel's signature ad-lib "Brrr," simulating an automatic firearm, also makes an appearance, tying it to his established artist persona.

"China" was a massive global success, emblematic of the power of high-profile collaborations in the Latin music world. The song topped the charts in numerous countries, including Spain, Argentina, Colombia, and Mexico, and peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart in the US. Its music video has amassed over 2.1 billion views on YouTube, making it one of the most-viewed videos for each of the featured artists. The song's success was amplified by its strategic use of the sample from Shaggy's "It Wasn't Me," which made it instantly familiar to a broad international audience. "China" received Latin Grammy nominations for Record of the Year and Best Urban Fusion/Performance, solidifying its critical and commercial legacy as one of the biggest reggaeton anthems of its time. The song also sparked a controversial "China Challenge" on social media.

The primary lyrical motif in "China" is the direct narrative of infidelity, which functions as a modern interpretation of the story in its main sample, Shaggy's "It Wasn't Me". The act of ignoring the partner's phone call is a repeated symbol of this betrayal. Daddy Yankee's interpolation of his own song "Ella Me Levantó" (She Picked Me Up) is a significant self-reference; originally about a new woman helping him get over a past love, here it's repurposed to describe being lifted out of a mundane relationship by a new, exciting fling. The term "China" itself is a reference Anuel AA made to what he perceived as "strong Chinese elements" in the production of the original Shaggy song, rather than having a lyrical meaning within his own track.

The most significant recurring element is the chorus: "Mi mujer me estaba llamando / Pero yo no contesté / Porque yo estaba contigo perreando / Y de ella me olvidé" (My woman was calling me / But I didn't answer / Because I was dirty dancing with you / And I forgot about her). This hook encapsulates the entire narrative and is repeated multiple times, solidifying the song's central theme of infidelity. The phrase "Yo estaba en la disco perreando" (I was in the club dirty dancing) also repeats, emphasizing the setting and the action that leads to the conflict. Furthermore, the melodic riff from Shaggy's "It Wasn't Me" serves as a constant musical motif, instantly recognizable and tying the song to its famous predecessor.