Mi Gente

"Mi Gente," which translates to "My People," is a vibrant anthem centered on themes of unity, inclusivity, and the power of music to transcend cultural and linguistic barriers. J Balvin has stated that a core message of the song is that his music doesn't discriminate against anyone. This is explicitly stated in the lyric, "Mi música no discrimina a nadie." The song was created to bring people together, erasing barriers of race, color, continents, and language to have the whole world moving to the same beat. It's a celebration of global community, where the infectious rhythm unites everyone on the dance floor, regardless of their background. The collaboration itself, between a Colombian artist (J Balvin) and a French artist (Willy William), embodies this message of cross-cultural partnership. The inclusion of lyrics in both Spanish and French further underscores its global, unifying spirit. The song became a symbol of pride and solidarity for the Latin community, promoting the idea that music is a universal language.

The song is a powerful and inclusive call to the dance floor, addressing people from all walks of life. It opens by declaring that if the rhythm makes you move your head, the party has already begun in the right way. A core principle is immediately established: the music does not discriminate against anyone, so the intention is to break barriers and unite everyone. The lyrics emphasize a collective experience, stating that “all my people move” when they hear this music. This isn’t just a party; it's an inherited, instinctual celebration, as the singer claims to carry the party in his genes. The energy is infectious and unrelenting, with the declaration that nobody wants to leave once they're caught in the song's grip.

The track repeatedly invites the listener to let go, move their feet, and feel the bass. This physical release is portrayed as a way to ascend to a new level of enjoyment and connection. The recurring phrase, “Toda mi gente se mueve” (“All my people move”), acts as a powerful, unifying chorus. The song’s international and collaborative nature is highlighted through its multilingual lyrics. Willy William’s French interjections like, “C’est comme-ci, c’est comme-ça” (“It’s like this, it’s like that”) and “Mais fais bouger la tête” (“But move your head”), blend seamlessly with J Balvin’s Spanish verses. This linguistic fusion reinforces the theme of global unity, explicitly mentioning France and Colombia to symbolize this partnership.

The song describes its own impact, noting how it’s “breaking the discotheque” and that the party is just getting started and will never stop. It asserts its global reach, claiming DJs confirm its popularity and that it has become a worldwide phenomenon. The lyrics express a sense of unstoppable momentum, a hit that continues to elevate its creators and listeners. There's a triumphant tone as it describes conquering the world, holding it in its hands, and continuing to rise. The atmosphere is one of relentless celebration, with bottles raised and a dance floor that never empties. The central question, “¿Y dónde está mi gente?” (“And where are my people?”), serves as a rallying cry, a magnetic pull for people everywhere to join in this shared experience, transcending geographical and cultural boundaries through the universal language of music and dance.

"Mi Gente" was released on June 30, 2017, by Colombian singer J Balvin and French singer and producer Willy William. The song is a reimagining of Willy William's earlier track, "Voodoo Song," which was released in May 2017. J Balvin heard "Voodoo Song" and, liking it immensely, proposed a collaboration to add his vocals and rerelease it. They recorded the track during a studio session in Miami, and the music video was filmed the very next day. Interestingly, the catchy instrumental hook in "Voodoo Song" is itself a sample from a 2016 Bangladeshi song called "Heila Duila Nach" by Akassh and Bidya Sinha Saha Mim. The songwriters credited on "Mi Gente" include José Osorio (J Balvin), Willy William, Adam Assad, Andrés David Restrepo, and Mohombi Nzasi Moupondo. According to J Balvin, part of the inspiration for the song's unifying message came as a response to divisive political rhetoric, such as Donald Trump's comments about building a border wall. This motivated him to create an anthem that would bring people together.

The central metaphor in "Mi Gente" is the dance floor as a microcosm of the world. The act of dancing to a shared rhythm symbolizes global unity and the breaking down of social and cultural barriers. The title itself, "Mi Gente" ("My People"), is used in an expansive and inclusive way, not to define a specific group, but to invite everyone into a single, global community. The lyric "La fiesta la llevo en mis genes" ("I carry the party in my genes") can be interpreted as a metaphor for an innate, universal human desire for connection and celebration. The blending of languages (Spanish and French) is a direct symbolic representation of cultural fusion and collaboration, reinforcing the song's message that music is a universal language that doesn't see borders.

The predominant emotional atmosphere of "Mi Gente" is one of pure, unadulterated joy and vibrant excitement. The song is crafted to be a high-energy, feel-good anthem, designed to make people dance and forget their troubles. This joyful mood is created through its upbeat tempo, pulsating dembow rhythm, and the celebratory vocal delivery of both J Balvin and Willy William. There is a strong sense of inclusivity and belonging, fostering a feeling of triumph and collective euphoria. The lyrics promote unity and reject discrimination, adding a layer of hopeful and positive sentiment to the track. The overall feeling is one of liberation and connection, a sonic invitation to a global party where everyone is welcome.

"Mi Gente" was a massive global success, significantly contributing to the worldwide explosion of Latin music. It became the first all-Spanish song to reach number one on Spotify's Global Top 50 chart. The song's impact was amplified by a remix featuring Beyoncé, released on September 28, 2017. This version peaked at number 3 on the US Billboard Hot 100, marking J Balvin's first US top-ten single. Beyoncé donated all her proceeds from the remix to hurricane and earthquake relief charities for Mexico and the Caribbean. The song received numerous awards and nominations, including a Latin Grammy nomination for Record of the Year and multiple Billboard Latin Music Awards. Its music video has amassed over 3 billion views on YouTube. "Mi Gente" solidified J Balvin's status as a global superstar and was hailed as a symbol of a "new sound of a Latino culture on the rise and being embraced globally." Its success demonstrated that Spanish-language music could dominate mainstream charts, paving the way for many other Latin artists.

The rhythmic structure of "Mi Gente" is its driving force. Set at an uptempo 105 BPM, the song is built upon the classic dembow rhythm—a foundational element of reggaeton—which gives it its characteristic and danceable pulse. This is layered with electronic dance music elements, creating a Moombahton feel. The lyrical rhythm is conversational and syncopated, flowing naturally over the steady beat. The rhyme scheme is generally simple and direct, often using assonantal or consonant rhymes within couplets (e.g., "mueve" / "tiene," "discoteca" / "comienza"). This straightforward approach enhances the song's catchiness and sing-along quality. The interplay between the driving musical rhythm and the flowing vocal lines creates a compelling groove that feels both relentless and inviting, perfectly encapsulating the song's party anthem status.

Musically, "Mi Gente" is a fusion of Moombahton, reggaeton, and dancehall, characterized by its distinctive and infectious dembow beat layered with electronic elements. The production, handled by Willy William, relies on a minimalist yet powerful instrumental arrangement, with a catchy, repetitive saxophone-like hook that is central to the song's appeal. This hook is a sample from William's own "Voodoo Song." J Balvin’s vocal delivery is charismatic and rhythmically focused, typical of his reggaeton style, while Willy William provides contrasting textures with his French vocals and ad-libs. Lyrically, the song employs direct address, call-and-response (“¿Y dónde está mi gente?”), and repetition to create an inclusive and participatory atmosphere. The use of simple, declarative statements like "Mi música no discrimina a nadie" makes its theme of unity clear and powerful. The structure is built for the dance floor, with builds, drops, and instrumental breaks designed to maximize energy.

What is the song 'Mi Gente' about?

'Mi Gente' is a global unity anthem. Its title means 'My People,' and the lyrics celebrate bringing people together from all cultures through the universal language of music and dance, stating explicitly that 'my music doesn't discriminate against anyone'.

What song is 'Mi Gente' a sample of?

"Mi Gente" is a remake of French DJ Willy William's 2017 song "Voodoo Song." The infectious hook from "Voodoo Song" itself samples a 2016 Bangladeshi track titled "Heila Duila Nach" by artists Akassh and Bidya Sinha Saha Mim.

When was the 'Mi Gente' remix with Beyoncé released?

The remix of 'Mi Gente' featuring Beyoncé was released on September 28, 2017. Beyoncé donated her proceeds from the song to hurricane and earthquake relief efforts in Puerto Rico, Mexico, and other affected Caribbean islands.

Why did Beyoncé decide to feature on the 'Mi Gente' remix?

J Balvin revealed that Beyoncé's daughter, Blue Ivy, was a huge fan of the original song. After learning about Blue's love for the track, J Balvin's team reached out to Beyoncé, who agreed to the collaboration and used it as an opportunity to raise funds for disaster relief.

What genres best describe 'Mi Gente'?

The song is primarily a fusion of Moombahton and Reggaeton, but it also incorporates elements of dancehall, Latin pop, and electronic music. Its sound is built on the distinctive dembow rhythm common in reggaeton.

How did 'Mi Gente' perform on the music charts?

The song was a massive commercial success. The original version topped charts in numerous countries and became the first all-Spanish song to hit #1 on Spotify's Global Top 50. The remix with Beyoncé reached #3 on the US Billboard Hot 100.

What do the French lyrics in 'Mi Gente' mean?

The French lyrics, sung by Willy William, include phrases like 'Mais fais bouger la tête' which means 'But move your head,' and 'C'est comme-ci, c'est comme-ça,' meaning 'It's like this, it's like that.' They reinforce the song's international and dance-focused theme.