Según Quién

"Según Quién" is a defiant anthem about refuting rumors and asserting one's emotional independence after a breakup. The song's title, which translates to "According to Whom?", serves as a recurring rhetorical question that challenges the validity of gossip suggesting the protagonists are still suffering from heartbreak. The lyrics depict two men who are tired of hearing secondhand stories about how they are supposedly still hung up on an ex-partner, seen crying her name in a bar. They directly confront these rumors, asking for the source and telling their ex to inform her spies correctly. The core message is one of moving on and finding happiness, while dismissing the ex-lover's attempts to believe they are still emotionally attached. It's a statement of self-respect and a refusal to let an ex's narrative define their current state of mind.

The narrative unfolds as a direct confrontation with rumors and misinformation being spread by an ex-lover. The singers, taking on the roles of two friends, are exasperated by the constant gossip that they are still heartbroken and unable to move on. They open by addressing the ex directly, stating they are tired of the back-and-forth drama and clarifying that while love exists in the world, there is no longer any love for her. They mock the idea that they are still pining, sarcastically questioning the source of these rumors with the song's central phrase, "Según Quién?" or "According to whom?"

The story escalates as they challenge the specific tales being told about them, such as being seen drunk in a bar, shouting her name. They paint these claims as absurd and baseless fabrications. To further assert their new reality, they boast about their current happiness and new relationships. One singer mentions a new partner who is with him willingly, contrasting this with the ex who was seemingly there for transactional reasons ("por la de crédito" - for the credit card). This new relationship is described as deserving of all merit, emphasizing a genuine connection over the superficiality of the past. They dismiss the ex's supposed gossip as pathetic and something to be flushed away, even metaphorically buying toilet paper for her 'crap'.

The narrative doubles down on this theme of defiance and self-worth. They rhetorically ask who could have possibly said they are still crying over her, scoffing at the notion as if she were some priceless treasure ("monedita de oro"). There's a moment of vulnerability mixed with regret, acknowledging they gave their all in the relationship only to be cheated on ("me pusiste los del toro"). However, this reflection quickly pivots back to strength, reinforcing that they have moved on and are living well, specifically mentioning being at ease in Mexico. The song concludes by repeatedly hammering home the central question, "Según Quién?", and a final instruction to the informant to get their facts straight, solidifying their stance of having completely overcome the past relationship despite what others might say.

"Según Quién" was released on August 17, 2023, as the ninth single from Maluma's sixth studio album, Don Juan. The song was written by Maluma (Juan Luis Londoño Arias), Carín León, Edgar Barrera, Kevyn "Keityn" Cruz, Lenin Yorney Palacios, and Luis Miguel Gómez Castaño. The production was handled by Edgar Barrera, Keityn, L.E.X.V.Z, and Casta. The creation process began in Turks and Caicos, where Maluma was in "album mode" with producers Edgar Barrera and Keityn. Barrera played some guitar chords that had a Mexican feel, which Maluma immediately loved, as he grew up listening to Mexican artists like Vicente Fernández. This sound sparked the central theme: questioning the rumors that he was still suffering over an ex. The initial version was more digital and pop-oriented. However, feeling the song needed another artist to elevate it, Maluma decided to collaborate. The project was then sent to Carín León, whose band re-recorded the track, adding organic instruments like acoustic guitars and trumpets to give it a more powerful and authentic Regional Mexican sound, creating the final pop-norteño fusion. The music video was filmed in Nashville, Tennessee, and was co-directed by Maluma and Cesar “Tes” Pimienta.

The song follows a relatively simple and direct rhyme scheme within its verses, often using assonance and consonant rhymes (e.g., "importante" with "antes") that are common in pop and urban music, making the lyrics flow conversationally. The structure is built around a very catchy, repetitive chorus that emphasizes the core message. The rhythm is a key element of its crossover appeal, described as a pop-norteño fusion and a guitar-anchored waltz. It moves at a moderate tempo that allows for both the melancholic reflection of the lyrics and the defiant, almost celebratory feel of moving on. The rhythm section combines a pop backbeat with the characteristic patterns of Mexican music, creating a unique groove that is both danceable and emotionally resonant, bridging the gap between a bar-room lament and a pop anthem.

Musically, the song is a notable fusion of genres, blending Maluma's signature Latin pop and reggaetón style with Carín León's authentic Regional Mexican sound, specifically norteño and banda elements. This is achieved through an instrumentation that prominently features acoustic guitars and trumpets, layered over a modern pop rhythm. The vocal delivery is a dynamic interplay between Maluma's smooth, rhythmic pop vocals and Carín León's powerful, emotive wail characteristic of Mexican folk music. This call-and-response conversational style enhances the song's narrative of two friends commiserating. Lyrically, the song employs a direct, confrontational, and colloquial narrative voice. The use of rhetorical questions, sarcasm ("Deja el papelón patético" - "Drop the pathetic act"), and hyperbole ("Pa' esa mierda que tú hablas, te compré papel higiénico" - "For that crap you talk, I bought you toilet paper") creates a tone that is both humorous and bitingly dismissive.

"Según Quién" was a significant commercial and cultural success, highlighting the growing crossover appeal of Regional Mexican music. The song topped the charts in several Latin American countries including Colombia, Mexico, Bolivia, and others. It achieved massive popularity on social media, particularly TikTok, where it hit #1 on the platform's global chart, accumulating over three billion views and inspiring millions of video creations. This viral success propelled the song onto the mainstream charts in the US, where it peaked at number 68 on the Billboard Hot 100. The collaboration was praised for its seamless fusion of Maluma's global pop stardom with Carín León's authentic Mexican sound. The duo performed the song live on major American television shows like Good Morning America and The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, further cementing its place in mainstream pop culture. The track's success demonstrated the commercial power of genre-blending in contemporary Latin music and became one of the most-streamed songs for both artists, with hundreds of millions of plays on Spotify and YouTube.

The primary literary device is the rhetorical question of the title, "Según Quién?" ("According to Whom?"), which functions as the song's central symbol. It represents skepticism, defiance, and the challenging of false narratives. Each time it's repeated, it dismisses the power of gossip and reinforces the speakers' control over their own story.

A key metaphor is when they sing, "¿Quién putas te dijo que aún te lloro? Ni que fueras monedita de oro" ("Who the f*ck told you I still cry for you? As if you were a little gold coin"). This metaphor diminishes the ex's perceived value, comparing the idea of her being a treasure to be cried over as ludicrous. It effectively reverses the typical post-breakup dynamic, where the one who left is often idealized.

The phrase "tú me pusiste los del toro" ("you put the bull's horns on me") is a common Spanish idiom for being cheated on. It's a blunt and culturally specific image that symbolizes betrayal and infidelity, providing a clear justification for the singers' current lack of affection.

The most significant recurring motif is the title phrase, "¿Según quién?". It acts as the song's primary hook and thematic anchor, appearing at the end of each accusation in the chorus. Its repetition serves to relentlessly question and dismantle the rumors being spread, functioning as a defiant chant of disbelief and empowerment.

Another recurring phrase is, "Dile al que te está informando, que te está mal informando, que te informe bien" ("Tell the one who's informing you, that he's misinforming you, to inform you well"). This line, appearing as a post-chorus, directly challenges the source of the gossip. Its repetition reinforces the idea that the ex is actively seeking out and receiving false information, highlighting her delusion and their frustration.

The scenario of being seen "gritando tu nombre, borracho en un bar" ("shouting your name, drunk in a bar") is a recurring image that embodies the false narrative they are fighting against. It's the specific, clichéd image of a heartbroken ex that they pointedly refute throughout the song.