Criminal

"Criminal" by Natti Natasha and Ozuna is a song that explores the theme of an intense and irresistible attraction that feels almost illicit. The lyrics use the metaphor of a crime to describe the powerful and captivating love or infatuation between two people. The term "criminal" is used to characterize the style and 'flow' of the person who has metaphorically 'stolen the heart' of the singer. This isn't a song about literal crime, but rather about a passion so strong it feels like it should be against the law. The narrative portrays a mutual obsession, where both individuals are acutely aware of the magnetic pull they have on each other. It speaks to a love that is all-consuming, a 'delito que yo quiero cometer' (a crime I want to commit), suggesting a willing surrender to this overwhelming feeling. The song captures the thrill and danger of a forbidden-feeling romance, where the lovers are partners in the 'crime' of their intense connection.

The song narrates a tale of intense, almost illegal, attraction and desire. It opens with one of the protagonists confessing that they can't stop thinking about the other person, trying to call them but finding the line busy. This obsession is framed as a criminal act, with the love interest having stolen their heart. The feeling is so potent that it feels like it shouldn't be legal. The central metaphor of the song is established here: the allure of the other person is as dangerous and irresistible as a crime. Their style, their 'flow,' is described as 'criminal.'

The narrative then shifts to the perspective of the pursued, who acknowledges the effect they have on their admirer. They can see from a distance the thoughts going through the other's mind and recognizes that their own captivating 'flow' is the cause of this intoxicating dynamic. The song then encourages a wild and courageous dance, letting the music take over. The pre-chorus repeats the initial confession of obsessive thoughts and the feeling of having one's heart stolen, reinforcing the central theme.

The second verse deepens the 'criminal' metaphor. The way the object of affection acts is said to 'break the law,' and they are described as a 'crime' that the singer is eager to commit. The lyrics play with the idea of punishment, suggesting that if such a connection were a punishable offense, it would warrant a life sentence. However, this is a 'problem' the singer has no desire to solve, highlighting the all-consuming nature of this attraction. There's a declaration of not wanting to share this person with anyone else, and a sense of physical longing is expressed—the body misses them even when they've just left. The song concludes by reiterating the core message: the powerful, magnetic pull between the two individuals is akin to a captivating and thrilling crime.

"Criminal" was released on August 18, 2017, by Pina Records. The song was written by Natti Natasha (Natalia Gutiérrez), Ozuna (Juan Carlos Ozuna), Jhay Cortez (Jesús Nieves), Rafael Pina, Vicente Saavedra, and its producer, Haze (Egbert Rosa). The collaboration came about after two previously unsuccessful attempts. Natti Natasha's manager, Rafael Pina, sent the song to Ozuna, who reportedly called it a "home run". For Natti Natasha, "Criminal" was a pivotal moment, representing a second chance in her music career and her first significant release with strong record label support. She expressed her excitement about writing her part of the lyrics and her intuition that the song would be a hit. The music video was filmed in April 2017 at an abandoned women's prison in Vega Alta, Puerto Rico, and was directed by Nuno Gómes. The filming was challenging, lasting nearly 20 hours and facing a storm the day before the shoot.

The rhythmic foundation of "Criminal" is a classic reggaeton dembow beat, which gives the song its characteristic danceable quality. This is layered with bass patterns influenced by dancehall music. The tempo is steady and mid-tempo, creating a sensual and swaying groove. The rhyme scheme is relatively straightforward and typical for the genre, often employing AABB or ABCB patterns within its verses, which contributes to its catchy and easy-to-sing-along nature. For instance, in the pre-chorus, "pensando" rhymes with "ocupado," and "criminal" with "legal." The artists' vocal deliveries play with the rhythm, sometimes right on the beat and at other times with a more syncopated, laid-back flow, which is a common characteristic of urbano music. The interplay between the male and female vocal rhythms adds a conversational and dynamic texture to the track. The recurring phrase "Criminal, cri-criminal" acts as a rhythmic and lyrical hook, anchoring the song and making it instantly recognizable.

"Criminal" employs several stylistic techniques to enhance its catchy and sultry feel. Musically, it's a reggaeton song with strong dancehall influences, characterized by its distinctive drum programming and forceful bass patterns. The tempo is mid-range, sitting at around 80 beats per minute, making it perfect for dancing. The vocal delivery is a key feature, with Natti Natasha's sensual and confident tone contrasting with Ozuna's smooth, melodic rap style. This duet format creates a dynamic interplay that drives the song's narrative of mutual attraction. Lyrically, the song relies heavily on repetition of the hook "Criminal, cri-criminal," which makes it incredibly memorable and anthemic. The use of slang and colloquialisms like "flow" and "mami" grounds the song in the urbano genre. The narrative voice shifts between Natti Natasha and Ozuna, giving both the male and female perspectives on this 'criminal' attraction, which adds depth to the storytelling. The direct address to the listener/lover ("Tú me miras," "Miento si te digo") creates a sense of intimacy and immediacy.

"Criminal" had a significant cultural impact, marking a major relaunch for Natti Natasha's career and solidifying her as a leading female artist in the Latin urban scene. The song was a massive commercial success, topping the charts in several countries including Spain, El Salvador, Paraguay, and Peru. In the United States, it reached the top five on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart. The music video was a viral phenomenon, garnering over one billion views on YouTube within five months of its release and becoming the most-watched music video by a female artist in 2017. This success was seen as a significant achievement for Latina women in the music industry. The song was widely praised by critics for its catchy nature and its ability to command the dance floor. It received several award nominations, winning for Best Collaboration at the 2018 Soberano Awards. The track's popularity demonstrated the growing global appeal of reggaeton and Latin music.

The central and most dominant metaphor in "Criminal" is the comparison of love and attraction to a criminal act. This is not meant in a negative sense, but rather to emphasize the intensity, danger, and irresistible nature of the emotions involved.

• The Criminal Lover: The object of affection is repeatedly called a "criminal" for having "stolen the heart" of the singer. This metaphor elevates the act of falling in love to a high-stakes, thrilling event. Their "flow" and style are also described as "criminal," suggesting their entire being is dangerously captivating.
• Love as a Crime: The lyrics state, "tú eres un delito que yo quiero cometer" ("you are a crime I want to commit"), which explicitly frames the desire as a deliberate and exciting transgression. The feeling is so powerful it "no puede ser legal" ("cannot be legal"). This suggests a love that breaks conventional boundaries and norms.
• The Prison Setting: The music video, set in a women's prison, visually reinforces the lyrical symbolism. Natti Natasha plays a prisoner, and Ozuna is the prison director, creating a narrative of forbidden love and power dynamics that mirror the 'criminal' theme of the lyrics. The electric chair in the video serves as a symbol of the ultimate, dangerous consequence of their passion.

The most prominent recurring motif in "Criminal" is the word "criminal" itself. It is repeated extensively throughout the chorus and is the central theme of the song, used to describe the captivating style and allure of a lover. The phrase "Criminal, cri-criminal, tu estilo, tu flow, baby, muy criminal" serves as the song's main hook and is a memorable refrain that encapsulates the core message. Another recurring idea is that of a love so intense it feels illegal. This is expressed in lines like "tú me robaste el corazón como un criminal" ("you stole my heart like a criminal") and "esto que siento por ti no puede ser legal" ("what I feel for you can't be legal"). The concept of being unable to stop thinking about the other person is also a recurring theme, appearing in the pre-chorus sung by Natti Natasha. These repeated elements reinforce the song's narrative of an obsessive and passionate romance that exists outside the bounds of convention.