HP

"HP" by Maluma is an anthem of female empowerment and liberation following a painful breakup. The title itself, "HP," is an abbreviation for the Spanish curse word "Hijo de Puta," which translates to "Son of a Bitch." Maluma explained that the song is dedicated to men who are disrespectful and controlling towards women, serving as a warning that their partners will eventually get fed up and leave. The narrative is told from the perspective of a woman who has been cheated on by her boyfriend. Instead of wallowing in sadness, she decides to reclaim her independence and enjoy her life to the fullest. The lyrics detail her desire to go out with her friends, drink, smoke, and party without any intention of finding a new boyfriend. Her actions are a form of rebellion and self-care, aimed at making her ex-boyfriend, the "HP," realize what he has lost and feel worse for his infidelity. The song champions the idea of a woman choosing her own happiness and freedom over a toxic relationship, celebrating her choice to live unapologetically.

The narrative centers on a woman who has recently ended a relationship with an unfaithful and controlling partner. She is not looking for a new boyfriend or any kind of romantic replacement; instead, her primary goal is to go out, have fun, and reclaim her freedom. She wants to liberate herself from the memory of her ex, a man described dismissively as a fool and a "cabrón" (bastard) who was disloyal to her.

Her heart was broken, but she isn't seeking someone to mend it in a traditional sense. Her focus is on pure, unadulterated enjoyment and physical pleasure without emotional strings attached. The song portrays her desire for a man who won't complicate her life with calls or demands, someone who can simply be a part of her night of fun, effectively replacing the idiot who didn't value her. This is her moment of catharsis.

To cope and celebrate her newfound independence, she adopts a new, positive mindset. She starts focusing on herself, channeling her energy into fitness and going to the gym. The lyrics suggest that while envious people might gossip and claim her physique is surgically enhanced, it's actually the result of her working through the stress and betrayal. It's a form of self-improvement and empowerment.

The chorus acts as the song's central anthem. It vividly describes her plan for the night: she wants to go out, smoke, drink, and, most importantly, document her fun by uploading a video for her ex to see. This act is a deliberate power move. It's not just about having fun; it's about making him acutely aware of what he has lost. She wants the "HP" – the son of a bitch – to feel even worse about his actions by seeing her thrive without him.

The song emphasizes her complete liberation. When she lets loose, none of her friends can hold her back. She is free from the obligations of a relationship, with no need to answer to a boyfriend. The night is entirely hers, and she doesn't need any man acting like an "HP" to ruin her party or try to control her. The repetition of her desire to go out and make her ex regret his infidelity reinforces the song's core theme of triumphant and defiant recovery from heartbreak.

"HP" was released on March 1, 2019, as the lead single from Maluma's fourth studio album, "11:11". The song was written by Maluma (Juan Luis Londoño), Edgar Barrera, Giencarlos Rivera, Jonathan Rivera, and Vicente Barco. The production was handled by Edgar Barrera, under his producer name Edge, and Madmusick. In interviews, Maluma described "HP" as the track that kicked off a new, more colorful and positive chapter in his career, contrasting with the darker themes of his previous album, "F.A.M.E.". He felt he was in a happier place in his personal life and wanted his music to reflect that vibrant energy. The song was a conscious return to his reggaeton roots but with a global, accessible sound. The music video, a crucial part of the song's launch, was filmed in the colorful Wynwood district of Miami, directed by Nuno Gomes, and featured Israeli supermodel Neta Alchimister. The video's concept was to visually represent the song's energy, happiness, and the idea of a "rebirth" for Maluma's artistic identity.

The rhythmic structure of "HP" is defined by the classic Dembow riddim, a foundational element of reggaeton. This syncopated, steady beat gives the song its characteristic danceable and energetic pulse, perfectly aligning with the theme of going out and partying. The tempo is upbeat, encouraging movement and celebration. The lyrical rhythm often follows the musical pulse closely, with Maluma's vocal delivery emphasizing the downbeats, particularly in the chorus, making it catchy and easy to sing along to. The rhyme scheme is relatively straightforward, typical of the genre, often using AABB or ABCB patterns with assonant (vowel) rhymes. For example, in the lines "Quiere olvidarse de ese bobo / porque el cabrón le fue infiel," the words "bobo" and "infiel" don't form a perfect rhyme but maintain a lyrical flow. The recurring chorus creates a strong, repetitive rhythmic and melodic motif that anchors the entire song.

Musically, "HP" is built on a classic reggaeton foundation, characterized by the distinctive and infectious Dembow rhythm that drives the song's danceable quality. The production is polished and modern, designed for global appeal while staying true to Maluma's urbano roots. Maluma's vocal delivery is a key stylistic element; he switches between smooth, melodic singing in the verses and a more rhythmic, chant-like delivery in the catchy chorus, enhancing the song's anthem-like feel. Lyrically, the song employs a direct, narrative style, telling a clear story from a specific character's point of view. It uses colloquial and street-smart Spanish slang (like "joder," "bobo," and "cabrón") which adds to its authenticity and relatability for a Latin audience. The use of a strong, repeated hook in the chorus ("Quiere salir, fumar, beber...") makes the song incredibly memorable and functions as a call to action for listeners in a similar situation.

"HP" was a significant commercial success and had a strong cultural impact. It became Maluma's 13th number-one hit on the Billboard Latin Airplay chart and his 12th on the Latin Rhythm chart. The song also reached the top 10 on the Hot Latin Songs chart and even entered the all-genre Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 96. Its success solidified Maluma's status as a leading figure in global Latin music. The song was widely interpreted as a female empowerment anthem within the often male-dominated reggaeton scene, resonating with a large audience for its message of independence after a breakup. The music video garnered massive viewership on YouTube, accumulating over 580 million views by October 2019, highlighting its global reach. The song was the lead single for the critically acclaimed album "11:11," which debuted at number one on the Top Latin Albums chart, further cementing the track's importance in Maluma's discography.

The most significant symbol in the song is the acronym "HP" itself. It stands for "Hijo de Puta" (Son of a Bitch) and represents the cheating, disrespectful ex-boyfriend. By using this abbreviation, the song universalizes the figure of the toxic partner, making him a stand-in for any man who mistreats his girlfriend. The act of "subir un video pa' que lo vea él" (uploading a video so he can see it) is a modern metaphor for revenge and empowerment in the digital age. It symbolizes the protagonist's control over the narrative. She is not just moving on; she is curating the story of her recovery and using social media as a tool to broadcast her newfound happiness and strength, ensuring her ex witnesses her thriving without him. The transformation through going to the gym also serves as a metaphor. It's not just about physical change; it represents her process of working through the stress and pain, turning her emotional turmoil into physical strength and confidence.

The most prominent recurring phrase and central motif is the chorus: "Quiere salir, fumar, beber, subir un video pa' que lo vea él, pa' que se dé cuenta de lo que perdió, pa' que el hijo'e puta se sienta peor." (She wants to go out, smoke, drink, upload a video so he can see it, so he realizes what he lost, so the son of a bitch feels worse). This hook is repeated multiple times, functioning as the song's thesis statement. Its repetition drills the core message of defiant celebration and revenge into the listener's mind, making it an unforgettable anthem. The term "HP" is another key recurring motif. It appears in the chorus and is the song's title, constantly reminding the listener of the antagonist and the reason for the protagonist's actions. The phrase "Ella no está buscando novio" (She is not looking for a boyfriend) is also repeated to emphasize her focus on independence and self-love rather than seeking validation from a new relationship.