Background and composition
edit
The song features a prominent, slowed down sample of the 1993 song "The Rhythm of the Night " by the Italian group Corona (the song is performed by Italian singer Jenny B , the ghost-voice involved in the project).[ 4] [ 5]
Jennifer Lopez was originally intended to appear on the remix version, but Jaden Smith , whose father starred in the third film, appeared on the remix instead which was released on the film's soundtrack.[ 6] [ 7]
Billboard 's writer Jessica Roiz compared "Ritmo" to "The Rhythm of the Night", writing that the first one "fuses Hip-Hop, EDM, and reggaeton, has Spanish and English verses without interrupting the original chorus from "The Rhythm of the Night"".[ 9] In a less enthusiastic review, Gary Suarez of Rolling Stone wrote that "the overextended J Balvin atop a convenient confluence of virally primed factors" which "proved irresistible to radio programmers and streaming playlisters", but he defined the use of Corona's semple a "plunder".[ 10]
The official video of the song, directed by Colin Tilley , was released on YouTube on October 11, 2019, on the official YouTube 's Black Eyed Peas channel.[ 17]
The first line of the song's rap, "No son ni Reebok ni son Nike" (translates to "They are neither Reebok or Nike"), references a viral clip[ 21] in which a Dominican radio caller requests Corona 's "The Rhythm of the Night " by asking the host to play the song that goes "esos son Reebok o son Nike" (translates to "are those Reebok or Nike"). The moment went viral after the host impressively retrieved the requested song based on that clue alone.
^ a b "Credits / RITMO (Bad Boys For Life) / The Black Eyed Peas" . Tidal . Retrieved December 17, 2019 .
^ Star, Regina (October 11, 2019). "Black Eyed Peas & J Balvin Link Up On Party Jam 'RITMO (Bad Boys For Life)' " . iHeartRadio . Retrieved August 10, 2023 .
^ Amorosi, A. D. (June 19, 2020). "Black Eyed Peas' 'Translation': Album Review" . Variety . Retrieved August 10, 2023 .
^ Roiz, Jessica (October 25, 2019). "Comparing Corona's 'Rhythm of the Night' Vs. Black Eyed Peas & J Balvin's 'Ritmo' " . Billboard . Retrieved November 3, 2019 .
^ Calvario, Liz (November 9, 2019). "The Black Eyed Peas on 'Learning From' J Balvin on 'Ritmo' Collab (Exclusive)" . Entertainment Tonight . Retrieved August 10, 2023 .
^ Wass, Mike (December 7, 2020). "Jennifer Lopez Jumps On The Remix Of Black Eyed Pea's "RITMO" " . Idolator . Retrieved August 10, 2023 .
^ "Bad Boys for Life Soundtrack" . Spotify . January 17, 2020. Retrieved August 19, 2023 .
^ "SEA Games 2019: Closing Ceremony - Black Eyed Peas' Ritmo " . Youtube .com . GMA News . December 11, 2019. Retrieved August 19, 2023 .
^ Roiz, Jessica (October 25, 2019). "Comparing Corona's 'Rhythm of the Night' Vs. Black Eyed Peas & J Balvin's 'Ritmo' " . Billboard . Retrieved August 10, 2023 .
^ Suarez, Gary (June 22, 2020). "Black Eyed Peas Get Lost on 'Translation' " . Rolling Stone . Retrieved August 10, 2023 .
^ Nakamura, Reid (October 15, 2020). "2020 Billboard Music Awards: Complete Winners List" . TheWrap . Retrieved May 9, 2023 .
^ "2004 MTV Video Music Awards Winners" . Billboard . August 30, 2004. Retrieved August 9, 2023 .
^ "Premios Nuestra Tierra: Estos son los nominados en la edición 2020" . RCN Radio (in Spanish). 2020-04-16. Retrieved 2021-01-12 .
^ Flores, Griselda (February 9, 2021). "2021 Latin American Music Awards Announce Date, Location & More Details" . Billboard . Archived from the original on March 2, 2021. Retrieved March 3, 2021 .
^ Cobo, Leila (August 12, 2021). "Bad Bunny Tops 2021 Billboard Latin Music Awards Finalists: Complete List" . Billboard . Retrieved August 12, 2021 .
^ "J Balvin, Maluma y Camilo son los más nominados a Premio Lo Nuestro 2021" . Los Angeles Times en Español (in Spanish). 2021-01-12. Retrieved 2021-01-16 .
^ Zemler, Emily (October 11, 2018). "Black Eyed Peas Team Up With J Balvin in 'RITMO (Bad Boys for Life)' Video" . Rolling Stone . Retrieved August 10, 2023 .
^ "Ritmo (Bad Boys for Life) Chart History" . Billboard . Retrieved May 10, 2020 .
^ "Ritmo (Bad Boys for Life) Chart History" . Billboard . Retrieved May 27, 2020 .
^ "Hot Latin Songs" . Billboard . July 11, 2020. Retrieved September 7, 2021 .
^ Are those reebok or nike (subtitles) , 26 April 2014, retrieved 2023-09-21
^ "The Black Eyed Peas Chart History (Global 200)" . Billboard . Retrieved January 24, 2021.
^ "The Black Eyed Peas Chart History (Billboard Argentina Hot 100)" . Billboard . Retrieved April 18, 2020 .
^ "ARIA Chart Watch #552" . auspOp. November 23, 2019. Retrieved November 23, 2019 .
^ "Black Eyed Peas x J Balvin – Ritmo (Bad Boys for Life)" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40 . Retrieved January 11, 2020.
^ "Black Eyed Peas x J Balvin – Ritmo (Bad Boys for Life)" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50 . Retrieved February 1, 2020.
^ "Black Eyed Peas x J Balvin – Ritmo (Bad Boys for Life)" (in French). Ultratop 50 . Retrieved February 22, 2020.
^ "Bolivia General" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino . Archived from the original on March 21, 2020. Retrieved March 21, 2020 .
^ "Top 100 Brasil – 02/03/2020 - 06/03/2020" (in Portuguese). Crowley Broadcast Analysis . Retrieved March 21, 2020 .
^ "The Black Eyed Peas Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)" . Billboard . Retrieved February 11, 2020.
^ "The Black Eyed Peas Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)" . Billboard . Retrieved November 30, 2023.
^ "Chile General" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. Archived from the original on March 21, 2020. Retrieved March 21, 2020 .
^ a b c d e The Black Eyed Peas feat. J Balvin — Ritmo . TopHit . Retrieved November 26, 2024.
^ "Top 100 Colombia – Semana 47 del 2019 – Del 15/11/2019 al 21/11/2019" (in Spanish). National-Report . Archived from the original on November 22, 2019. Retrieved November 22, 2019 .
^ "Canciones populares de América - Top 10 - Lista de éxitos" . charts.monitorlatino.com .
^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Digital Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 07. týden 2020 in the date selector . Retrieved February 18, 2020.
^ "Top 100 Ecuador – national-REPORT" . 2019-11-17. Archived from the original on 2019-11-17. Retrieved 2019-11-19 .
^ "Top 100 Ecuador – national-REPORT" . November 14, 2019. Archived from the original on 2019-11-14.
^ "Title - monitorLATINO" .
^ "Top Singles (Week 1, 2020)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique . Retrieved January 14, 2020 .
^ "The Black Eyed Peas x J Balvin – Ritmo (Bad Boys for Life)" (in German). GfK Entertainment charts . Retrieved January 3, 2020.
^ "Official IFPI Charts - Digital Singles Chart (International) - Week: 47/2019" . IFPI Greece . Archived from the original on December 5, 2019. Retrieved July 7, 2021 .
^ a b c d e f "Title" . charts monitorLATINO .
^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Dance Top 40 lista . Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved July 17, 2020.
^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Rádiós Top 40 játszási lista . Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved May 7, 2020.
^ "Archívum – Slágerlisták – MAHASZ" (in Hungarian). Single (track) Top 40 lista . Magyar Hanglemezkiadók Szövetsége. Retrieved March 14, 2020.
^ "IRMA – Irish Charts" . Irish Recorded Music Association . Retrieved January 11, 2020 .
^ "Media Forest Week 1, 2020 ". Israeli Airplay Chart. Media Forest . Retrieved January 9, 2020.
^ "Top Singoli – Classifica settimanale WK 1" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana . Retrieved January 4, 2020 .
^ "2019 47-os savaitės klausomiausi (TOP 100)" (in Lithuanian). AGATA . November 22, 2019. Retrieved November 29, 2019 .
^ "Black Eyed Peas x J Balvin – Ritmo (Bad Boys for Life)" (in Dutch). Single Top 100 . Retrieved November 23, 2019.
^ "Panamá Top 20 - Del 25 de Noviembre al 1 de Diciembre, 2019" . Monitor Latino . Retrieved April 18, 2020 .
^ "TOP#100 de canciones de SGP | TOP#100 de canciones de SGP" (in Spanish). SGP. Retrieved February 3, 2020 .
^ "Listy bestsellerów, wyróżnienia :: Związek Producentów Audio-Video" . Polish Airplay Top 100 . Retrieved December 2, 2019.
^ "Black Eyed Peas x J Balvin – Ritmo (Bad Boys for Life)" . AFP Top 100 Singles . Retrieved January 19, 2020.
^ "Puerto Rico General" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. Archived from the original on April 21, 2020. Retrieved 21 April 2020 .
^ "Airplay 100 – 23 februarie 2020" (in Romanian). Kiss FM . February 23, 2020. Retrieved February 24, 2020 .
^ "Top Radio Hits Russia Weekly Chart: Jan 23, 2020" . TopHit . Retrieved November 28, 2024 .
^ "Top 50 – Radio San Marino RTV – 16/11/2019" (in Italian). San Marino RTV . 16 November 2019. Archived from the original on 16 November 2019. Retrieved 24 August 2024 .
^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 17. týden 2020 in the date selector . Retrieved November 30, 2024.
^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Singles Digital Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 07. týden 2020 in the date selector . Retrieved February 18, 2020.
^ "Top 100 Canciones: Semana 44" . Productores de Música de España . Retrieved November 6, 2019 .
^ "Veckolista Singlar, vecka 2" . Sverigetopplistan . Retrieved January 11, 2020 .
^ "Black Eyed Peas x J Balvin – Ritmo (Bad Boys for Life)" . Swiss Singles Chart . Retrieved December 2, 2019.
^ "Top Radio Hits Ukraine Weekly Chart: May 14, 2020" . TopHit . Retrieved November 28, 2024 .
^ "The Black Eyed Peas Chart History (Hot 100)" . Billboard . Retrieved March 31, 2020.
^ "The Black Eyed Peas Chart History (Adult Pop Songs)" . Billboard . Retrieved April 27, 2020.
^ "The Black Eyed Peas Chart History (Dance Club Songs)" . Billboard . Retrieved December 27, 2019.
^ "The Black Eyed Peas Chart History (Hot Dance/Electronic Songs)" . Billboard . Retrieved January 23, 2020.
^ "The Black Eyed Peas Chart History (Hot Latin Songs)" . Billboard . Retrieved December 31, 2019.
^ "The Black Eyed Peas Chart History (Latin Airplay)" . Billboard . Retrieved September 12, 2020.
^ "The Black Eyed Peas Chart History (Pop Songs)" . Billboard . Retrieved May 18, 2020.
^ "The Black Eyed Peas Chart History (Rhythmic)" . Billboard . Retrieved March 17, 2020.
^ "Venezuela General" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. Archived from the original on April 22, 2020. Retrieved April 22, 2020 .
^ "Top Radio Hits Ukraine Weekly Chart: Feb 4, 2021" . TopHit . Retrieved December 2, 2024 .
^ "Top Radio Hits Estonia Weekly Chart: Nov 14, 2024" . TopHit . Retrieved November 26, 2024 .
^ "Top Radio Hits Global Monthly Chart: December 2019" . TopHit . Retrieved November 30, 2024 .
^ "Latvijas Radiostaciju Top 100, Decembris 2019" [Top 100 Latvian Radio Stations, December 2019] (in Latvian). LaIPA . January 6, 2020. Retrieved November 30, 2024 .
^ "Top Radio Hits Russia Monthly Chart: December 2019" . TopHit . Retrieved November 30, 2024 .
^ "SK – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100: Měsíc 11/2019" (in Czech). International Federation of the Phonographic Industry . Retrieved December 2, 2024 .
^ "Top Radio Hits Ukraine Monthly Chart: December 2019" . TopHit . Retrieved November 30, 2024 .
^ "Top Radio Hits Global Monthly Chart: January 2020" . TopHit . Retrieved December 2, 2024 .
^ "Latvijas Radiostaciju Top 100, Maijs 2020" [Top 100 Latvian Radio Stations, May 2020] (in Latvian). LaIPA . June 15, 2020. Retrieved December 2, 2024 .
^ "Top Radio Hits Russia Monthly Chart: January 2020" . TopHit . Retrieved December 2, 2024 .
^ "SK – RADIO – TOP 100: Měsíc 5/2020" (in Czech). International Federation of the Phonographic Industry . Retrieved December 2, 2024 .
^ "SK – SINGLES DIGITAL – TOP 100: Měsíc 2/2020" (in Czech). International Federation of the Phonographic Industry . Retrieved December 2, 2024 .
^ "Top Radio Hits Ukraine Monthly Chart: April 2020" . TopHit . Retrieved December 2, 2024 .
^ "Top Radio Hits Global Monthly Chart: January 2021" . TopHit . Retrieved December 2, 2024 .
^ "SK – RADIO – TOP 100: Měsíc 7/2021" (in Czech). International Federation of the Phonographic Industry . Retrieved December 2, 2024 .
^ "Top Radio Hits Ukraine Monthly Chart: January 2021" . TopHit . Retrieved December 2, 2024 .
^ "Top Radio Hits Estonia Monthly Chart: April 2024" . TopHit . Retrieved December 2, 2024 .
^ "Top of the Music FIMI/GfK 2019: Un anno con la musica Italiana" (Download the attachment and open the Singoli file) (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Retrieved January 10, 2020 .
^ "Hot Dance/Electronic Songs – Year-End 2019" . Billboard . Retrieved December 6, 2019 .
^ "Chart Anual monitorLATINO 2020 – Del 1 de Enero al 30 de Noviembre de 2020 – Argentina General" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino . Retrieved December 5, 2020 .
^ "Jaaroverzichten 2020" . Ultratop. Retrieved December 18, 2020 .
^ "Rapports Annuels 2020" . Ultratop. Retrieved December 18, 2020 .
^ "Canadian Hot 100 – Year-End 2020" . Billboard . Retrieved December 4, 2020 .
^ "Top Radio Hits Global Annual Chart 2020" . Retrieved December 2, 2024 .
^ "Top de l'année Top Singles 2020" (in French). SNEP. Retrieved February 4, 2021 .
^ "Top 100 Jahrescharts 2020" . GfK Entertainment (in German). mtv.de. Retrieved December 13, 2020 .
^ "Dance Top 100 - 2020" . Mahasz . Retrieved February 12, 2021 .
^ "Rádiós Top 100 - hallgatottsági adatok alapján - 2020" . Mahasz . Retrieved February 12, 2021 .
^ "Single Top 100 - eladási darabszám alapján - 2020" . Mahasz . Retrieved February 12, 2021 .
^ "Top Of The Music 2020: 'Persona' Di Marracash È L'album Piú Venduto" (Download the attachment and open the singles file) (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. January 7, 2021. Retrieved January 11, 2021 .
^ "Airplay 100 Topul Anului 2020" (in Romanian). Kiss FM . Archived from the original on December 27, 2020. Retrieved 28 December 2020 .
^ "Top Radio Hits Russia Annual Chart 2020" . TopHit . Retrieved December 2, 2024 .
^ "Top 100 Songs Annual 2020" (in Spanish). Productores de Música de España . Retrieved May 6, 2022 .
^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2020" . hitparade.ch . Retrieved December 28, 2020 .
^ "Top Radio Hits Ukraine Annual Chart 2020" . TopHit . Retrieved December 2, 2024 .
^ "Hot 100 Songs – Year-End 2020" . Billboard . Retrieved December 4, 2020 .
^ "Hot Dance/Electronic Songs – Year-End 2020" . Billboard . Retrieved December 4, 2020 .
^ "Hot Latin Songs – Year-End 2020" . Billboard . Retrieved December 4, 2020 .
^ "Latin Airplay – Year-End 2020" . Billboard . Retrieved December 4, 2020 .
^ "Pop Songs – Year-End 2020" . Billboard . Retrieved December 4, 2020 .
^ "Rhythmic Songs – Year-End 2020" . Billboard . Retrieved December 4, 2020 .
^ "Top Radio Hits Global Annual Chart 2021" . Retrieved December 2, 2024 .
^ "Dance Top 100 - 2021" (in Hungarian). Mahasz. Retrieved February 2, 2022 .
^ "Top Radio Hits Russia Annual Chart 2021" . TopHit . Retrieved December 2, 2024 .
^ "Top Radio Hits Ukraine Annual Chart 2021" . TopHit . Retrieved December 2, 2024 .
^ "Top Radio Hits Global Decade Chart: 20s" . TopHit . Retrieved December 2, 2024 .
^ "Top Radio Hits Estonia Decade Chart: 20s" . TopHit . Retrieved December 2, 2024 .
^ "Top Radio Hits Moldova Decade Chart: 20s" . TopHit . Retrieved December 2, 2024 .
^ "Top Radio Hits Russia Decade Chart: 20s" . TopHit . Retrieved December 2, 2024 .
^ "Greatest Of All Time Hot Latin Songs Chart" . Billboard . 2021. Archived from the original on September 23, 2021. Retrieved September 23, 2021 .
^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2020 Singles" (PDF) . Australian Recording Industry Association . Retrieved December 14, 2020 .
^ "Austrian single certifications – The Black Eyed Peas & J Balvin – Ritmo (Bad Boys for Life)" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved November 25, 2020 .
^ "Ultratop − Goud en Platina – singles 2020" . Ultratop . Hung Medien. Retrieved April 17, 2020 .
^ "Canadian single certifications – The Black Eyed Peas – Ritmo" . Music Canada . Retrieved May 26, 2021 .
^ "French single certifications – J Balvin – Ritmo (Bad Boys for Life)" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique . Retrieved 9 May 2022 .
^ "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (The Black Eyed Peas & J Balvin; ' RITMO (Bad Boys For Life)' )" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie . Retrieved December 22, 2022 .
^ "Italian single certifications – The Black Eyed Peas & J Balvin – Ritmo (Bad Boys for Life)" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana . Retrieved July 6, 2020 . Select "2020" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Type "Ritmo (Bad Boys for Life)" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
^ "Certificaciones" (in Spanish). Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas . Retrieved May 7, 2024 . Type Black Eyed Peas x J Balvin in the box under the ARTISTA column heading and Ritmo in the box under the TÍTULO column heading .
^ "OLiS - oficjalna lista wyróżnień" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry . Retrieved February 7, 2024 . Click "TYTUŁ" and enter Ritmo (Bad Boys for Life) in the search box.
^ "Portuguese single certifications – The Black Eyed Peas & J Balvin – Ritmo (Bad Boys for Life)" (PDF) (in Portuguese). Associação Fonográfica Portuguesa . Retrieved 23 May 2022 .
^ "Spanish single certifications – The Black Eyed Peas x J Balvin – Ritmo (Bad Boys for Life)" . El portal de Música . Productores de Música de España . Retrieved March 10, 2020 .
^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards (' Ritmo (Bad Boys For Life)' )" . IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved March 10, 2021 .
^ "British single certifications – Black Eyed Peas/J Balvin – Ritmo (Bad Boys For Life)" . British Phonographic Industry . Retrieved April 15, 2022 .
^ "American single certifications – Black Eyed Peas x J Balvin – Ritmo (Bad Boys for Life)" . Recording Industry Association of America . Retrieved April 17, 2021 .
^ "Certificaciones" (in Spanish). Certificación Fonográfica Centroamericana . Retrieved May 21, 2022 .
^ "Sverigetopplistan – The Black Eyed Peas & J Balvin" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan . Retrieved June 26, 2021 .