QUE PRETENDES

"QUE PRETENDES" (What Do You Intend/Want?) is a defiant anthem about setting firm boundaries with a toxic ex-partner who refuses to accept that a relationship is over. The song is structured as a back-and-forth conversation where J Balvin and Bad Bunny trade verses, jointly telling their ex that her attempts to rekindle the romance are futile and unwelcome. The core message revolves around the finality of a breakup and the frustration of dealing with someone who won't let go. They question the ex's motives for calling late at night, dismissing her intentions as manipulative and purely physical. The lyrics convey a sense of empowerment and closure, as the protagonists have moved on and are no longer susceptible to their ex's charms or games. They explicitly state that things are not the same and that there is no point in insisting on a reunion.

The song unfolds as a direct and confrontational dialogue with an ex-lover who is attempting to re-enter the narrator's life. It begins with the central, exasperated question: "What are you trying to do, calling me at this hour?" This sets the tone of annoyance and finality. The narrator, a role shared and alternated between J Balvin and Bad Bunny, makes it unequivocally clear that the relationship is a closed chapter. They state they no longer pay the ex any attention and that an end was put to things a long time ago. The ex's attempts to reconnect are seen as transparent and manipulative; the narrator acknowledges the ex knows exactly how to "wrap them up" or charm them, but insists that this time, it's far too late for such tactics to work.

The narrative delves into the clear reasons for this rejection. Bad Bunny's verse, in particular, is a raw and blunt dismissal. He questions the motive behind the late-night calls, suggesting it's purely for physical reasons, which he flatly denies. He paints a picture of having moved on completely, emphasizing this by detailing how he's erased the ex from every facet of his life: Snapchat, Facebook, Instagram, and life itself. This act of digital and personal exorcism underscores the finality of his decision. He taunts the ex with the future, saying they will see him with someone new and will have to 'bite their tongue' in regret. The core message is repeated: the ex wants to come back and cause trouble, but it's simply not going to happen.

J Balvin's verse adds another layer, describing the ex's persistent, almost obsessive behavior. He accuses the ex of secretly checking his photos and investigating his social media profile, knowing them well enough to see through their denials. He points out the hypocrisy of their actions, stating that the ex wants to repeat the past and is always seeking more, but for him, it no longer matters. The song culminates in the repetition of the main hook, reinforcing the central theme. It’s a declaration of self-respect and the establishment of firm boundaries. The narrators are no longer susceptible to the ex's games. The upbeat, danceable reggaeton rhythm provides a stark, ironic contrast to the lyrical content, which is a firm and final rejection of a toxic past relationship.

"QUE PRETENDES" was released on June 28, 2019, as the lead single from the collaborative album OASIS by J Balvin and Bad Bunny. The album was a highly anticipated project that united two of the biggest stars in Latin urban music, representing a landmark moment of collaboration over rivalry in the genre. The song was written by J Balvin (José Osorio), Bad Bunny (Benito Martinez), Alejandro Ramírez (Sky Rompiendo), and Daniel Esteban Taborda Valencia. Production was handled by Sky Rompiendo, a frequent and key collaborator of J Balvin. The OASIS project was described by the artists as a musical 'rescue' and 'paradise,' aiming to create a fresh Caribbean flow. J Balvin mentioned in a Beats 1 interview that an oasis is a special, different place in the middle of dryness, reflecting their goal for the album's unique sound. The surprise release of the album, along with the music video for "QUE PRETENDES," generated significant buzz, with the video surpassing three million views in less than 24 hours.

"QUE PRETENDES" is built on a classic reggaeton rhythm with a 4/4 time signature and a tempo of approximately 93 BPM. This steady, danceable beat creates an ironic contrast with the song's confrontational lyrics. The rhyme scheme is relatively straightforward, typical of the genre, often using assonant and consonant rhymes to maintain flow and catchiness. For example, in the chorus, hora rhymes with ya and envolverme with tarde in a more sonorous way in Spanish. The lyrical rhythm often follows the dembow beat, with the artists' cadences sometimes playing against it for emphasis. The interplay between J Balvin's smoother, more on-beat flow and Bad Bunny's more syncopated, almost conversational delivery is a central feature, making the track rhythmically engaging and highlighting their distinct artistic styles.

"QUE PRETENDES" employs a dialogic structure, with J Balvin and Bad Bunny playing two sides of the same consciousness or two friends sharing a similar experience. This call-and-response format creates a dynamic narrative. The vocal delivery is a key stylistic element; J Balvin's smooth, melodic cadence contrasts with Bad Bunny's deeper, more melancholic and aggressive tone, adding texture and emotional depth to the track. The song uses direct address and rhetorical questions ("¿Qué pretendes tú llamándome a esta hora?") to create a sense of immediacy and confrontation. The production by Sky Rompiendo features a quintessential, mid-tempo reggaeton beat (93 BPM) that is danceable yet carries an undercurrent of tension, mirroring the lyrical conflict. The use of ad-libs and background interjections ("Nah!", "Wuh!") adds a layer of conversational realism and attitude.

"QUE PRETENDES" was a significant commercial success and a cultural moment for Latin music. As the lead single from the collaborative album OASIS, it showcased the power of unity between two of the genre's biggest superstars. The song performed strongly on the charts, debuting on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart at number two and reaching number 65 on the US Billboard Hot 100. The album OASIS itself debuted at number nine on the Billboard 200 and number one on the Top Latin Albums chart. The track became a monumental hit, with the album selling over 4.8 million equivalent units to date. The music video was an immediate viral hit. The duo performed the song live at the 2019 MTV Video Music Awards, further cementing its place in the mainstream consciousness. The song and album were seen as a testament to the global rise of Latin urban music, demonstrating that Spanish-language collaborations could achieve massive international success.

The primary symbolism in "QUE PRETENDES" revolves around the act of digital and social erasure as a metaphor for emotional closure. Bad Bunny’s verse, "De Snapchat te borré, de Facebook te borré, de Instagram te borré, de mi vida te borré" ("I deleted you from Snapchat, I deleted you from Facebook, I deleted you from Instagram, I deleted you from my life"), uses the modern, relatable action of unfollowing or blocking someone on social media to represent a complete and total severance of ties. It’s a definitive statement that there is no channel left open for communication or reconciliation. Another notable metaphor is Bad Bunny's line comparing a past negative experience to an overdose, "Por ti me metí pastillas y me fui de over flow Lamar," referencing Lamar Odom's highly publicized overdose, but clarifies his ex is not a Kardashian, humorously distancing her from that level of drama. This metaphor dramatically illustrates the toxic and harmful effect the relationship had on him.

The most significant recurring phrase is the song's title and central question, "¿Qué pretendes tú llamándome a esta hora?" ("What do you want, calling me at this hour?"). This line acts as the chorus and the song's primary motif, repeated by both artists to hammer home their exasperation and refusal to engage. It encapsulates the entire theme of the song: a direct challenge to an ex's unwelcome advances. Another recurring idea is the finality of the breakup, expressed in phrases like "le puse punto final" ("I put a final stop to it") and "es muy tarde ya" ("it's too late now"). The motif of the ex's duplicity is also key, with lines like "Esa actitud la conozco ya" ("I already know that attitude") and "Sabes qué hacer muy bien para envolverme" ("You know very well what to do to charm me"). These recurring elements create a cohesive and relentless narrative of rejection.