MAMIII

"MAMIII" is an anthem of female empowerment and liberation from a toxic relationship. The title itself, a slang term for an attractive, confident woman, sets the tone for the song's message of self-worth. The lyrics narrate the story of two women who have been wronged by their former partners and are now reclaiming their power. They explicitly state their refusal to go back to a harmful situation, using direct and unapologetic language to establish firm boundaries. The song is widely interpreted as a diss track, with fans speculating that the pointed lyrics are directed at the artists' real-life ex-partners, particularly Karol G's ex, Anuel AA. This speculation is fueled by lines like, "Don't call me again, I even threw the cell phone away," and the assertion that the ex's toxicity became harmful. The song's meaning extends beyond a personal vendetta; it's a universal statement for anyone who has had to leave a damaging relationship. It champions the idea of choosing oneself, celebrating newfound freedom, and refusing to tolerate disrespect. The reference to Paquita la del Barrio's iconic diss song "Rata de dos patas" further solidifies "MAMIII" as a modern anthem for female strength and solidarity in the face of betrayal.

The song is a powerful declaration of independence and self-worth from two women who have ended a toxic relationship. It opens with a dismissive tone, telling the ex-partner that what is no longer useful should be discarded. The singers assert that the ex was clumsy and inept, metaphorically scoring an "own goal" in the relationship and proving himself incapable of handling a woman of their caliber. They make it clear they are no longer available for him to fall in love with, having decisively sent his "fake love on vacation" without any chance of return.

The chorus serves as a direct and unyielding command: "Don't call me again, I even threw my cell phone away." They attribute this drastic measure to the ex's toxicity, which became genuinely harmful. The central theme of finality is emphasized with the line, "What goes, goes," warning him not to make the mistake of thinking there's a way back. The reason is stark—his toxicity makes his presence completely unwanted. The narrative then shifts to a scene of celebration and liberation. One singer arrives at a party, ready to move on, declaring she no longer recognizes the person who once loved the ex. In a modern twist, she mentions leaving a symbolic "review" of the relationship with zero stars, highlighting his insignificance by stating he left no lasting mark.

The sense of moving forward is palpable as they describe having new admirers lined up, making it clear they have no intention of looking back. In a particularly sharp and memorable verse, they provide a new phone number for the ex to call if he feels the need to reach out: "1-800-Jódete" (1-800-F***-You). This line is a blunt and powerful dismissal, encapsulating the song's angry yet triumphant spirit. The song also includes a direct cultural reference, quoting the legendary Mexican singer Paquita la del Barrio's famous phrase, "Rata de dos patas" (two-legged rat), to describe the ex, cementing the song's place in a lineage of fierce, female-led Latin anthems that call out bad behavior. The message throughout is one of rediscovering strength, celebrating freedom, and permanently closing the door on a damaging past.

"MAMIII" was released on February 10, 2022, as the third single from Becky G's second Spanish-language studio album, Esquemas. The song is the second collaboration between Becky G and Karol G, following the 2018 remix of "Mi Mala." Fans had long anticipated a direct collaboration between the two superstars. The creation process was notably swift. In January 2022, producer Ovy on the Drums presented a demo of the track to Becky G, who immediately loved it and recorded a verse. Initially, they discussed a collaboration with a male artist. However, a few days later, Ovy played the track for Karol G, who also felt a strong connection to it and recorded the intro. The collaboration came together organically and quickly, with both artists feeling it was the perfect song they had been waiting for to unite their creative forces. The track was written by Becky G (Rebbeca Marie Gomez), Karol G (Carolina Giraldo Navarro), Ovy on the Drums (Daniel Echavarría Oviedo), and Elena Rose. Justin Quiles, Luis Miguel Gomez Castaño, and Daniel Uribe also have composer credits. The song was intentionally released just before Valentine's Day to make a powerful statement. An initial music video was filmed but ultimately scrapped due to creative differences; a new official video, directed by Mike Ho and starring Angus Cloud and Mia Khalifa, was released on April 15, 2022.

"MAMIII" is built on the rhythmic foundation of reggaeton, characterized by the infectious and danceable dembow beat. This steady, mid-tempo rhythm creates a compelling groove that contrasts with the sharp, aggressive lyrical delivery. The song's structure follows a typical verse-chorus pattern, which makes it highly memorable and effective as a party anthem. The rhyme scheme is generally straightforward, often using AABB or ABCB patterns within its verses, a common feature in pop and reggaeton that enhances catchiness. For example, in the pre-chorus, "estorbe" rhymes with "torpe," and "pasaporte" rhymes with "vacaciones" (a slant rhyme). The chorus is particularly effective, with strong end rhymes like "llamar" and "celular," and "perjudicial" which creates a memorable hook. The interplay between the lyrical rhythm and the musical rhythm is dynamic; the artists' vocal flows often syncopate against the steady beat, adding energy and attitude. The conversational and sometimes rapid-fire delivery of the verses builds tension that is released in the highly melodic and sing-along chorus, creating a satisfying and emotionally resonant listening experience.

"MAMIII" effectively blends musical and literary techniques to create its powerful impact. Musically, the song is rooted in a classic, upbeat reggaeton rhythm, driven by the genre's characteristic dembow beat, making it instantly danceable despite its aggressive lyrical content. The production by Ovy on the Drums starts with a feint—a traditional-sounding Mexican guitar and gritos—before dropping into the infectious reggaeton groove. The vocal delivery is a key stylistic element, with Becky G and Karol G trading verses, creating a dynamic dialogue that enhances the sense of female solidarity. Their distinct vocal tones complement each other, building in intensity towards the anthemic chorus. Lyrically, the song employs a direct address narrative voice, speaking uncompromisingly to the ex-partner. It uses hyperlocal, slang-heavy language which makes the message feel authentic and relatable. The inclusion of the spoken-word style "1-800-Jódete" line is a major hook, acting as a memorable and punchy stylistic flourish. Furthermore, the direct quotation of Paquita la del Barrio's "Rata de dos patas" is a powerful use of intertextuality, connecting the song to a broader cultural conversation about female anger and empowerment in Latin music.

"MAMIII" was a massive commercial and cultural success, solidifying its place as a landmark female collaboration in Latin music. Upon its release, it became an immediate hit, debuting at number 15 on the US Billboard Hot 100, the highest chart entry for both artists at the time. It also reached number one on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart and peaked at number four on the Global 200 chart. The song broke records, becoming the first all-female Latin collaboration in history to reach the Top 10 of the Global Spotify Chart. Its success was fueled by social media buzz, particularly speculation about the lyrics being aimed at Karol G's ex-boyfriend, rapper Anuel AA, which created a cultural event around the song's release. The track received widespread critical acclaim and was named one of the Best Songs of 2022 by the LA Times. Becky G and Karol G performed the song together for the first time at Coachella in 2022, a moment that was highly celebrated by fans and media. The song has been certified 23x Platinum (Latin) by the RIAA, highlighting its immense popularity and lasting impact. It became a female empowerment anthem, celebrated for its message of strength, solidarity, and unapologetic confidence.

"MAMIII" employs several potent symbols and metaphors to convey its message of empowerment and disgust with a past lover.

• The Title "MAMIII": The term "Mami" is a Spanish slang term of endearment, often used to refer to an attractive woman or "babe." By stylizing it with three 'I's, the artists add emphasis and attitude, reframing it as a title of power and self-confidence—a "boss chick." It symbolizes the empowered woman she has become after leaving the toxic relationship.
• "Te metiste autogol por torpe" (You scored an own goal for being clumsy): This sports metaphor vividly paints the ex-partner as incompetent and self-sabotaging. It suggests his actions, intended to harm her, ultimately led to his own loss.
• "Mandé tu falso amor de vacaciones" (I sent your fake love on vacation): This is a sarcastic and dismissive metaphor for decisively ending the relationship. A vacation implies a temporary break, but here it's used ironically to mean a permanent and one-way trip away from her life.
• "1-800-Jódete" (1-800-F***-You): This is a blunt and powerful symbolic gesture. By creating a fake hotline number, the artists transform a common customer service format into an unforgettable and cutting dismissal, symbolizing the complete severing of communication.
• "Rata de dos patas" (Two-legged rat): This is a direct cultural reference to the iconic song by Mexican singer Paquita la del Barrio, a legendary figure known for her songs denouncing unfaithful men. By invoking this phrase, Becky G and Karol G align themselves with a legacy of female defiance in Latin music and label the ex with a culturally understood insult of the highest order, symbolizing him as a treacherous and lowly creature.

Several recurring phrases and motifs anchor the song's message and structure.

• "No me vuelvas a llamar" (Don't call me again): This phrase, central to the chorus, is the song's primary lyrical motif. It's a direct command that encapsulates the core theme of setting firm boundaries and cutting off all contact. Its repetition drills home the finality of the breakup.
• "De lo tóxico que eres" (From how toxic you are): This recurring line serves as the justification for the artists' drastic actions, like throwing away their phones. It repeatedly pinpoints the ex's toxicity as the root cause of the relationship's demise, framing their departure as an act of self-preservation.
• "Lo que se va, se va" (What goes, goes / What leaves, stays gone): This motif reinforces the theme of permanence. It's a simple, philosophical statement that shuts down any possibility of reconciliation, functioning as a mantra of moving on without looking back.
• The "MAMIII" title: The word "mami" is used in the song's intro and outro, bookending the track. It acts as a recurring symbol of the empowered identity the singers now embody, transforming a term of endearment into a declaration of self-possessed strength and confidence.