TKN (feat. Travis Scott)

"TKN" is a powerful anthem centered on the themes of loyalty, secrecy, and the impenetrable nature of a chosen family or inner circle. The song draws heavy parallels between the bonds of a close-knit group and the codes of organized crime, specifically the Sicilian mafia. The repeated reference to "omertà," a code of silence and honor, is central to its meaning. It signifies an unbreakable vow of secrecy, where family matters and secrets are never to be shared with outsiders. The line "Lo' capo' con lo' capo' y yo soy la mamá" ("Bosses with bosses, and I'm the mom") establishes Rosalía as the matriarchal head of this clan, a figure of authority and protection. The children featured prominently in the music video are positioned as these 'capos,' reinforcing the idea of a new generation being indoctrinated into this code of loyalty from a young age. The song's title, "TKN," is widely believed to be an abbreviation for the fighting game 'Tekken,' which means 'iron fist' in Japanese. This aligns with the song's aggressive, protective, and combative undertones, emphasizing strength and the readiness to defend one's circle.

The narrative of "TKN" revolves around the paramount importance of a closed, trusted circle, akin to a family or a clan, and the unwavering loyalty required within it. The song opens by establishing that matters of this 'family' are not for outsiders to hear. The hierarchy is clear: the bosses stick together, and the narrator, Rosalía, positions herself as the matriarchal figure, the 'mamá.' Secrets are currency, shared only with those who have proven their trustworthiness. A stark warning is issued against breaking the 'omertà,' the mafia's code of silence, emphasizing the severe consequences of betrayal. This theme of exclusivity is further hammered home with the declaration that they don't associate with unknown individuals. There are established levels and codes to this life that must be respected.

The central, repeated mantra is a refusal to accept new friends, encapsulated in the line "Ni un amigo nuevo, ni una hería'" (No new friends, no new wounds). This suggests that new acquaintances bring the potential for betrayal and pain, a risk the circle is unwilling to take. The abbreviation "TKN," speculated to stand for the fighting game 'Tekken,' reinforces the theme of conflict and the need for a strong, defensive unit. Rosalía's verses weave in cultural references, mentioning Argentine director Gaspar Noé, known for his intense and often violent films, and alluding to a life of luxury with 'VVS' diamonds and the 'Dolce Vita.' She portrays herself as a formidable figure, tattooed and dressed in black, her style as potent as dynamite. Travis Scott's contribution shifts the perspective slightly, blending admiration for this powerful female figure with his signature trap stylings. He acknowledges her as a 'G' (gangster) and describes a sensual, captivating presence. His lyrics, delivered in a mix of English and Spanish, speak of a deep attraction and an exclusive connection, reinforcing the theme of a closed-off world. He echoes the sentiment of 'no new friends,' warning against bringing superficial 'hype' into their protected space. The song concludes by reaffirming the core message of loyalty and the strength found in a sealed, impenetrable family unit, with Rosalía and Travis Scott as its protective heads.

"TKN" marks the second collaboration between Spanish singer Rosalía and American rapper Travis Scott, following the remix of Scott's "Highest in the Room." The song was written by Rosalía, Travis Scott (under his birth name Jacques Webster II), Alejandro Ramírez (Sky Rompiendo), DJ Nelson, Pablo Díaz-Reixa (El Guincho), and Marcos Masís (Tainy). Production was handled by a team including Rosalía, El Guincho, Sky Rompiendo, Tainy, and Teo Halm. Rosalía revealed that the track was first conceived in a homemade studio in Hollywood Hills in January 2019 and was re-recorded at Conway Recording Studios in Los Angeles in February 2019, evolving from a solo project into a duet. She stated that she was inspired by the concept of 'squads' and 'clans' that often surround artists. Released on May 28, 2020, during the global COVID-19 pandemic, Rosalía felt it was the right moment to release an energetic track to give people strength. The music video was filmed in Los Angeles between February 15 and 17, 2020, directed by the Catalan production company CANADA.

The rhyme and rhythm of "TKN" are integral to its hypnotic and commanding feel. The song is built on a driving, minimalist reggaeton-trap beat with a steady, danceable tempo. The rhythmic structure is tight and percussive, creating a sense of urgency and relentless forward motion. Lyrically, the song doesn't adhere to a strict, traditional rhyme scheme, favoring a more fluid, free-verse style within its sections, which is common in contemporary rap and reggaeton. However, it effectively uses assonance and consonance to create internal cohesion. For example, in the pre-chorus, the repetition of the 'a' sound in lines like "Lo' capo' con lo' capo' y yo soy la mamá" creates a rhythmic hook. The core of the song's rhythmic identity is the interplay between Rosalía's sharp, accented Spanish delivery and the deep, laid-back cadence of Travis Scott's Auto-Tuned flow. The titular chant "TKN, TKN, TKN" acts as a percussive, rhythmic motif in itself, breaking up the verses and anchoring the chorus with a memorable, hard-hitting punch.

"TKN" showcases a fusion of literary and musical techniques that define its unique sound.

• Musical Fusion: The track is a hybrid of alternative reggaeton, trap, and flamenco influences, creating a dark, percussive, and globally appealing sound. The beat is built on a G Phrygian mode, giving it a distinctive Spanish and somewhat ominous flavor.
• Bilingualism and Code-Switching: The song seamlessly blends Spanish and English lyrics. Travis Scott notably performs part of his verse in Spanish, a significant cross-cultural exchange that enhances the song's international appeal.
• Vocal Delivery: Rosalía employs her signature vocal style, which often involves elision, where she omits the final consonants of words (e.g., "vestía'" for "vestida"), a characteristic of the Andalusian dialect of Spanish. This adds authenticity and a specific regional texture to her performance. Travis Scott uses his characteristic deep, Auto-Tuned vocals, creating a textural contrast.
• Rhythmic Complexity: The song's rhythm is a key feature, with a driving, minimalist beat that at times is said to mimic the sound of gunshots, reinforcing the lyrical themes of danger and power.
• Literary Allusions: The lyrics incorporate references to high culture, such as Italian cinema ("Dolce Vita") and avant-garde filmmakers like Gaspar Noé, juxtaposing them with street-level themes of gang loyalty. This high-low cultural blending is a hallmark of Rosalía's artistic style.

"TKN" had a significant cultural impact upon its release, further cementing Rosalía's status as a global superstar and marking a notable crossover moment. The song achieved considerable chart success, becoming Rosalía's first entry on the US Billboard Hot 100, debuting at number 66. It also reached number one in Spain and Colombia and charted in the top 10 in numerous other countries. The collaboration itself was a major talking point, merging the worlds of Spanish flamenco-pop and American hip-hop. The music video, directed by the acclaimed production company CANADA, was highly praised for its cinematic quality and compelling visuals, winning the Latin Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video in 2020. The song also went viral on TikTok, where its catchy chorus and danceable beat spawned a trend that significantly boosted its streaming numbers and chart performance. "TKN" is seen as a key track in Rosalía's discography that successfully blended her unique artistic vision with mainstream trap, proving her versatility and broadening her international audience.

"TKN" is rich with symbolism and metaphors that construct its narrative of a closed, powerful syndicate.

• Omertà: The most direct symbol is the reference to "omertà," the mafia's code of silence. This isn't just a lyrical drop; it's the song's philosophical core, demanding absolute loyalty and secrecy. By invoking it, Rosalía frames her inner circle not just as friends, but as a clan bound by a life-or-death pact.
• TKN/Tekken: The title itself is a symbol. As an abbreviation for the fighting game 'Tekken,' which translates to 'iron fist,' it represents power, combat, and an aggressive defense of one's territory. This metaphor casts the relationships in the song as a kind of strategic battle against outsiders.
• "La Mamá" and the Children: Rosalía's declaration "yo soy la mamá" ("I am the mom") positions her as a matriarch. The children in the video symbolize her clan or gang members (the 'capos'). This imagery suggests a passing down of values, where the code of loyalty is taught from birth, ensuring the family's continuation and invulnerability.
• Cinematic References: The lyrics reference Argentine film director Gaspar Noé, whose films often explore dark themes of violence and social tribes, and "Kika," a character from a Pedro Almodóvar film. These references add a layer of dark, cinematic cool and align the song's world with existing narratives of aestheticized danger and intrigue.
• The Dove: The music video features an image of a white dove falling, spattered with blood, a potent symbol for the death of peace and innocence, suggesting that the clan's protected world exists within a context of violence and danger.

Several recurring phrases and motifs anchor the theme and structure of "TKN":

• "TKN, TKN, TKN": This is the central hook and a sonic motif. Its repetition functions as a chant or a code, reinforcing the song's title and its association with power and combat ('Tekken' or 'iron fist'). It's memorable and rhythmically punctuates the song.
• "Ni un amigo nuevo, ni una hería'": Translated as "No new friends, no new wounds," this is the song's core lyrical message. It is repeated multiple times in the chorus and outro, drilling home the central theme of exclusivity and self-protection. Its recurrence emphasizes that avoiding new relationships is a deliberate strategy to prevent betrayal and pain.
• "Lo' capo' con lo' capo' y yo soy la mamá": This phrase establishes the hierarchy and the family-like structure of their circle. By repeating that "bosses stick with bosses" and that she is the "mom," Rosalía reinforces the theme of a powerful, self-contained unit with a clear leader.
• "Omertà": Though only mentioned a couple of times, the concept of the mafia's code of silence is a powerful recurring motif that defines the song's entire philosophy of loyalty and secrecy.