"Papi" is a song recorded by American singer Jennifer Lopez for her seventh studio album Love? (2011). The Latin-flavored dance song was written by RedOne, AJ Junior, BeatGeek, Teddy Sky, Bilal Hajji and Jimmy Joker, and produced by RedOne, BeatGeak and Jimmy Joker. The lyrical content of the song revolves around Lopez's love to dance for her man. The song was due to be released as a promotional single to help promote the album on April 19, 2011, but the song was unlocked and released on April 17, 2011, through a campaign on Lopez's Facebook page. "Papi" received praise from music critics, stating that it was one of the highlights from Love?

"Papi"
Single by Jennifer Lopez
from the album Love?
ReleasedAugust 10, 2011 (2011-08-10)
Recorded2010
Studio
GenreDance
Length3:43
LabelIsland
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Jennifer Lopez singles chronology
"I'm Into You"
(2011)
"Papi"
(2011)
"T.H.E. (The Hardest Ever)"
(2011)
Music video
"Papi" on YouTube

"Papi" received a full commercial release as Love?'s third single in September and October 2011. On October 27, 2011 "Papi" became Lopez's 11th number one single on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Songs Chart. It reached the top 10 in Bulgaria, Finland, Israel, and Italy. A music video was released for the song and it was directed by Paul Hunter, who had previously worked with her for videos including her 2000 hit "Love Don't Cost a Thing". The plot of the video involves Jennifer Lopez eating a mysterious love cookie, and the next morning a mob of men go crazy for her, chasing her all over the city. The song was also used as the opening number of Miss Earth 2011.

Music and lyrics

edit

"Papi" is a Latin and electro-flavored, up-tempo dance track written by Bilal Hajji, AJ Junior and Teddy Sky, co-written and produced by BeatGeek, RedOne and Jimmy Joker. The melody is driven by "beating" drums and "pounding" synths.[1][2] According to Rick Florino, from Artistdirect.com, the song also uses elements of "propulsive house" music.[3] The lyrics center around Lopez's love for dancing for her man.[4] Florino described the song's middle-8 breakdown as "a bass thump and seductive Spanish lines [that] pulsate in tandem before one final crescendo of the chorus."[3] On the line "My rock is shinin’ bright / Even if he ain’t by my side / He makes sure that I glow / I make sure everybody knows," J. Lo sings of her man, who is not around the club but whose presence is sparkling on her finger.[5] It was scheduled for release on April 19, 2011 as the third of four promotional singles.[6][7][8] "I'm Into You" was subsequently confirmed as the album's second single.[9] The track was released three days early, after a preview was posted on Lopez's "Like for Love?" campaign, whereby the Love?'s three promotional singles were released early if enough fans "liked" them through Facebook.[10][11] The opening portion of the song is used in the dance-breakdown present in the music video for Lopez's second Love? single, "I'm Into You" (2011).[12]

Critical reception

edit

Staff from entertainment website Idolator said "While this track, like 'On the Floor,' doesn't bring anything new to the dance party table, that isn't really a problem. This track is totally club-ready and there's no reason why it shouldn't play just as well as 'On the Floor'."[13] Joe Guerra from The Houston Chronicle agreed calling the song one of Love?'s "best moments."[14] Rick Florino, from Artistdirect.com, gave the song a positive review, saying that on the song, "Lopez [is] at her finest".[3] In his review, Florino praised Lopez's voice, noting that it "pulsates with a fresh, fiery, and focused energy" while also commenting that "her unique delivery brandishes traditional Latin flare, [that] captivates listeners hypnotically." He ended by praising the song's memorable chorus and "majestic hook."[3] Monica Herrera wrote favorably for Billboard that: "The pro-monogamy house trend revived by RiRi's "Only Girl," still going strong here. Fun, harmless, & strictly for Jenny's Latina fans."[15] "Pop Crush"'s Amanda Hensel rated it four-and-a-half stars out of five and wrote that: "Papi is spicy hot — just like the Puerto Rican, Bronx-raised herself." [...] "It's a perfect fit for any club packed full of dance-hungry people, and all-in-all, exemplifies what we love about the singer/actress."[5]

BBC Music's Alex McApherson wrote that: "The woman who gave us the supreme millennial house of Waiting for Tonight will know her way around On the Floor and Papi, both apparent distillations of the trashy Miami house aesthetic that dominates pop these days."[16] Entertainment Weekly's Adam Markovitz wrote that the album is "a harmless collection of prefab dance pop with just enough hints of Latin spice to remind listeners of Jenny's from-the-block past (see: the stoop-party-ready Papi) without losing sight of her Bel Air present."[2] IGN Music's Chad Grischow positively wrote that "The album is at its best when the pace is cranked up on the club bangers, with the thrusting synth and beat assault of "Papi" finding Lopez singing about dancing for her man even if he is not right next to her."[17] Digital Spy's Robert Copsey wrote that "Papi', 'Invading my Mind' and 'Hypnotico' are nothing we haven't heard before, but she carries it off with her unrivalled glamour and effortless sophistication."[18]

Chart performance

edit

For the week ending April 27, 2011, "Papi" debuted on the US Billboard Hot 100 at number 99.[19] Ultimately, the single peaked at number 96 and spent three weeks on the chart, becoming her lowest-peaking entry on the Hot 100.[20] "Papi" experienced more success on the US Billboard Pop Songs chart, where it peaked at number 33.[21]

Music video

edit

Background

edit

The music video was shot in August 2011[22][23] in Downtown Los Angeles, California. It was directed by Paul Hunter, who previously directed her music videos for "If You Had My Love" (1999) and "Love Don't Cost a Thing" (2001).[24] A portion of the video was shown on September 16, 2011 on Good Morning America.[25] The full video premiered on September 19, 2011 on VEVO. The music video was edited into a 31 second commercial, promoting the Fiat 500, the car in which Lopez is driving in the music video.

Synopsis

edit

The music video begins with the words "Love? Happens". The video continues with Lopez holding her BlackBerry Bold 9900 and chatting with her apartment mail attendant Lisa.[26] They talk about Lopez's love interest; she is disappointed because her lover, who is a colonel in the United States Air Force; has not returned from deployment yet. Lisa then hands over the mail and offers her a cookie which she claims will bring her man back to her.[26] Lisa is careful to tell her to take only a small bite owing to the strength of the cookie, but Lopez accidentally takes too big a bite. The following morning the captivating spell of the cookie takes hold and as Lopez leaves her apartment building she attracts the attention of a man who steals a rose to present to her, only to be tackled by another man.[26] As she walks on through the streets of the city she draws the affection of an ever-increasing number of men, including a gardener, a businessman and a motorcyclist, who fight among one another while Lopez walks on oblivious to the chaos behind her.[26] Lopez finally reaches her car (a Fiat 500) but is swarmed by the group of men who chase her with gifts of flowers and a puppy. The mob eventually outmaneuvers and corners Lopez, forcing her from the car. They proceed to dance around her in a complex display of choreography. She tells the men to stop and quickly discovers that she can control how close they get to her by using her body positions. She manages to lead the men in a quick choreographed sequence before the men all lift her from the ground. Her lover then emerges from a bus and rescues her and the crowd quickly dissipates, leaving the pair to drive away in Lopez's car.[26] The video ends with a shocked Lopez trying in vain to explain to her lover the events she endured throughout the day.[26]

Reception

edit

Idolator's Becky Bain perceived that the clip was "clearly a rejected concept" for a "Lopez-starring romantic comedy", while comparing it to her films The Wedding Planner, The Back-Up Plan and Maid in Manhattan.[27] Bain noted that in the music video, Lopez "attempts to do two things with her new video: first, make herself more rateable by a creating comedic, tongue-in-cheek clip. And secondly, show people how extremely desirable she is by having hundreds of men literally fling themselves off buildings and crash through breakaway glass to win her affections."[27] Billboard's Jason Lipshut was unsure about the storyline, but praised the "cheeky choreography" as a "charming nod to Lopez's past videos."[28] The Huffington Post gave the music video a positive review: "Ms. Lopez has still got it – "Jenny from the Block" breaks into a signature group dance number and kills it!"[29]

Live performances

edit

Lopez first performed the song at the iHeart Radio Festival on September 24, 2011.[30] She wore a red-fringed mini-dress.[31] Lopez had previously announced the festival herself, which included Lady Gaga, Coldplay, Alicia Keys and Bruno Mars among several others. She stated: "It's going to be this amazing concert ... to launch the new iHeartRadio, where you can kind of customize your own radio stations [sic] So, it's pretty exciting. I'm glad to be doing it."[32] The following month on October 22, she performed the song during her headlining concert at Mohegan Sun to celebrate its 15th anniversary.[33] Lopez performed "Papi" at the 39th American Music Awards on November 20. It was a part of a medley, along with "Until It Beats No More" and "On the Floor", which Pitbull assisted her with. The performance of the song was almost a replica of the video; a Fiat car which she endorsed was included on stage. She was criticized for using the Fiat as part of her performance.[34] The costume she wore, which consisted of a near-nude body suit with glitter covering necessary places, has been said to resemble the outfit Britney Spears wore in the music video for "Toxic" (2004).[30] Additionally, "Papi" was included on the set list for her 2012 Dance Again World Tour.[35]

Track listing

edit
  • Digital download
  1. "Papi" — 3:40
  • Digital download (Remixes)
  1. "Papi" (Rosabel Radio Edit) — 3:26
  2. "Papi" (Mixin Marc & Tony Svedja Radio) — 3:40
  3. "Papi" (R3hab Radio) – 3:37
  4. "Papi" (It's the DJ Kue Radio Mix!) — 3:53
  5. "Papi" (Rosabel Vocal Club Mix) — 7:29
  6. "Papi" (Mixin Marc & Tony Svedja Extended) — 6:33
  7. "Papi" (R3hab Club) — 4:53
  8. "Papi" (It's the DJ Kue Extended Mix!) — 5:34
  9. "Papi" (Rosabel Attitude Dub) — 7:56
  10. "Papi" (Mixin Marc & Tony Svedja Dub) — 6:17
  11. "Papi" (R3hab Instrumental) — 4:53
  12. "Papi" (It's the DJ Kue Instrumental!) — 5:35
  • Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike Remix
  1. "Papi" (Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike Remix)[36]  — 3:22

Credits and personnel

edit
Technical[37]

"Papi" was recorded at Cove Studio in New York City and Henson Recording Studios in Los Angeles.

Personnel[37]

Charts

edit

Certifications

edit
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Brazil (Pro-Música Brasil)[74] Platinum 60,000
Canada (Music Canada)[75] Gold 40,000*
Italy (FIMI)[76] Platinum 30,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
Sales streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

edit
Country Date Format Label Ref.
Various April 17, 2011 Digital download (promotional single) Island [6]
Italy August 10, 2011 Contemporary hit radio Universal [77]
United States September 13, 2011 Digital download (remixes) Island [78]
September 26, 2011 Mainstream radio [79]
Rhythmic radio [80]
Spain October 19, 2011 Digital download (remixes) Universal [81]
Italy November 15, 2011 [82]
Germany November 25, 2011 [83]

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^ "New Music: Jennifer Lopez – Papi". Rap-up.com (Rap-Up). April 15, 2011. Archived from the original on April 20, 2011. Retrieved May 6, 2011.
  2. ^ a b Markovitz, Adam (April 27, 2011). "Jennifer Lopez – Love? (album review)". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on May 6, 2011. Retrieved May 28, 2011.
  3. ^ a b c d "Jennifer Lopez "Papi" Single Review — 5 out of 5 Stars – ARTISTdirect News". Artistdirect.com. Archived from the original on October 25, 2012. Retrieved May 6, 2011.
  4. ^ Grischow, Chad (February 16, 2011). "Jennifer Lopez: Love? Review – Music Review at IGN". Uk.music.ign.com. Archived from the original on August 31, 2011. Retrieved May 6, 2011.
  5. ^ a b Hensel, Amanda (July 7, 2011). "JENNIFER LOPEZ, 'PAPI' – SONG REVIEW". Pop Crush. Archived from the original on October 26, 2011. Retrieved October 18, 2011.
  6. ^ a b [1] [dead link]
  7. ^ [2]
  8. ^ [3] [dead link]
  9. ^ Wete, Brad (March 30, 2011). "Jennifer Lopez caught up in her love's spell on new single 'I'm Into You'". Music-mix.ew.com (Entertainment Weekly / CNN). Archived from the original on April 2, 2011. Retrieved April 2, 2011.
  10. ^ "Hottest Celeb website :: Breaking News :: Ooo, Jennifer Lopez's new song Papi". STAR Magazine. Archived from the original on April 21, 2011. Retrieved May 6, 2011.
  11. ^ Masley, Ed (April 20, 2011). "J.Lo's 'Idol'-driven comeback continues with 'Papi'". Azcentral.com. Retrieved May 6, 2011.
  12. ^ Dinh, James (May 2, 2011). "Jennifer Lopez Gets Exotic In 'I'm Into You' Video – Music, Celebrity, Artist News". MTV. Archived from the original on May 5, 2011. Retrieved May 6, 2011.
  13. ^ "Jennifer Lopez Dances For Her "Papi" In New 'Love?' Track". Idolator. Buzzmedia. April 16, 2011. Archived from the original on January 3, 2013. Retrieved May 6, 2011.
  14. ^ Guerra, Joey (May 2, 2011). "Lopez ups her diva status with Love?". Houston Chronicle. Hearst Corporation. Archived from the original on October 21, 2012. Retrieved May 6, 2011.
  15. ^ Herrera, Monica (May 13, 2011). "Jennifer Lopez 'Love?': Track-by-Track Review". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on April 21, 2013. Retrieved August 15, 2013.
  16. ^ Macpherson, Alex (May 3, 2011). "BBC – Music – Review of Jennifer Lopez – Love?". BBC Online. BBC. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved May 3, 2011.
  17. ^ Grischow, Chad (May 3, 2011). "Jennifer Lopez: Love? Review – Uneven album hits its stride on the dance floor, but stumbles off". IGN. Ziff Davis. Archived from the original on March 23, 2012. Retrieved August 15, 2013.
  18. ^ Copsey, Robert (May 4, 2011). "Jennifer Lopez: 'Love?' – Music Album Review". Digital Spy. Hearst Magazines UK. Archived from the original on May 5, 2011. Retrieved May 3, 2011.
  19. ^ Trust, Gary (April 27, 2011). "Katy Perry's 'E.T.' Returns To No. 1 On Hot 100". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on May 5, 2011. Retrieved August 15, 2013.
  20. ^ "Jennifer Lopez Music News & Info". Billboard.com. Archived from the original on November 21, 2021. Retrieved April 29, 2011.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  21. ^ "Jennifer Lopez Album & Song Chart History". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on July 9, 2015. Retrieved August 15, 2013.
  22. ^ "Twitter". Twitter. Archived from the original on February 1, 2016. Retrieved April 21, 2013.
  23. ^ yosprodf blogged: my title. "Jennifer Lopez Wows in Skin-Tight Leather Pants – omg! news on Yahoo!". Omg.yahoo.com. Retrieved September 30, 2011.[dead link]
  24. ^ "Jennifer Lopez Dances in the Streets in 'Papi' Video". Rap-Up. Devine Lazerine. August 21, 2011. Archived from the original on October 17, 2012. Retrieved August 21, 2011.
  25. ^ "Ryan's Recap – On-Air With Ryan Seacrest". Ryan.kiisfm.com. September 14, 2011. Archived from the original on March 23, 2012. Retrieved September 30, 2011.
  26. ^ a b c d e f Dinh, James (September 19, 2011). "Jennifer Lopez Causes Man Frenzy In 'Papi' Video". MTV. MTV Networks. Archived from the original on December 24, 2011. Retrieved September 20, 2011.
  27. ^ a b Bain, Becky (September 19, 2011). "Jennifer Lopez's "Papi" Video: Basically Another J.Lo Romantic Comedy". Idolator. Retrieved October 18, 2011.
  28. ^ Lipshut, Jason (September 19, 2011). "Jennifer Lopez's 'Papi' Video: Magic Cookies, Product Placements, Total Chaos". Billboard. Archived from the original on May 30, 2013. Retrieved October 18, 2011.
  29. ^ "Jennifer Lopez Debuts 'Papi' Music Video, Gets Men Riled Up". Huffington Post. September 19, 2011. Archived from the original on October 25, 2011. Retrieved October 18, 2011.
  30. ^ a b "The Province". Archived from the original on November 28, 2011. Retrieved November 28, 2011.
  31. ^ Loren1 (September 27, 2011). "Jennifer Lopez Rocks To Papi At iHeart Radio Festival | Loren's World". Lorensworld.com. Archived from the original on October 4, 2013. Retrieved April 21, 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  32. ^ Morris, Meagan (September 19, 2012). "iHeartRadio Music Festival 2011: A look back". Sheknows.com. Archived from the original on October 4, 2013. Retrieved April 21, 2013.
  33. ^ "Concert Review: Jennifer Lopez at Mohegan Sun – Hartford Courant". Articles.courant.com. October 23, 2011. Archived from the original on October 4, 2013. Retrieved March 24, 2012.
  34. ^ Tuttle, Brad (November 21, 2011). "'Shameless' Jennifer Lopez Drives Fiat on Stage at American Music Awards: Most Brazen Product Placement Ever?". Time. Archived from the original on October 5, 2013. Retrieved April 21, 2013.
  35. ^ Sources for set list:
  36. ^ Jennifer Lopez & Pitbull – Papi ( Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike Remix ), archived from the original on September 29, 2023, retrieved February 3, 2020
  37. ^ a b Love? (Booklet). Jennifer Lopez. Los Angeles, CA: Island Records, a division of UMG Recordings. 2011.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  38. ^ "Jennifer Lopez – Papi" (in German). Ö3 Austria Top 40. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
  39. ^ a b "Jennifer Lopez – Papi" (in Dutch). Ultratop 50. Retrieved April 8, 2014.
  40. ^ a b "Jennifer Lopez – Papi" (in French). Ultratop 50. Retrieved April 8, 2014.
  41. ^ "10.10.2011–16.10.2011 (Airplay Top 5)". Bulgarian Association of the Music Producers. Archived from the original on September 27, 2015. Retrieved September 26, 2015.
  42. ^ "Brasil Hot 100 Airplay". Billboard Brasil (Brasil: bpp) (2): 100. January 2012.
  43. ^ "Jennifer Lopez Chart History (Canadian Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
  44. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 47. týden 2011 in the date selector. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
  45. ^ "Jennifer Lopez: Papi" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
  46. ^ Hung, Steffen. "Jennifer Lopez — Papi". lescharts.com. Archived from the original on June 20, 2022. Retrieved October 5, 2011.
  47. ^ "Jennifer Lopez – Global Dance Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on October 28, 2019. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  48. ^ "Jennifer Lopez Chart History – Greece Digital Songs". Billboard. Archived from the original on August 19, 2019. Retrieved August 21, 2019.
  49. ^ "Media Forest Week 36, 2011". Israeli Airplay Chart. Media Forest. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
  50. ^ "Italian Chart: Jennifer Lopez — Papi". FIMI. Archived from the original on March 5, 2016. Retrieved April 1, 2013.
  51. ^ "The official lebanese Top 20 – Jennifer Lopez". Olt20.com. Archived from the original on November 17, 2021. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
  52. ^ "Tipparade-lijst van week 42, 2011". Dutch Top 40. Archived from the original on March 14, 2023. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  53. ^ "Jennifer Lopez – Papi" (in Dutch). Single Top 100. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
  54. ^ "Top 50 Polish Dance Chart". Polish Music Charts (in Polish). ZPAV. November 16, 2011. Archived from the original on April 7, 2012. Retrieved November 30, 2011.
  55. ^ "Top 5 Airplay TV". Polish Video Chart. ZPAV. Archived from the original on September 29, 2023. Retrieved February 5, 2017.
  56. ^ "Romanian Top 100 - 29 ianuarie 2012" (in Romanian). Kiss FM. January 29, 2012. Event occurs at 15:17. Archived from the original on September 10, 2012. Retrieved August 6, 2024. If the user accesses the link, the respective podcast will start downloading automatically.
  57. ^ "Official Scottish Singles Sales Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
  58. ^ "ČNS IFPI" (in Slovak). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiálna. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: insert 201142 into search. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
  59. ^ "Gaon Download Chart". Gaon Chart. Archived from the original on April 8, 2014. Retrieved April 8, 2014.
  60. ^ "Jennifer Lopez – Papi" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
  61. ^ "Jennifer Lopez – Papi". Swiss Singles Chart. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
  62. ^ "Official Singles Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
  63. ^ "Official Hip Hop and R&B Singles Chart Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
  64. ^ "Ukraine Airplay Chart for 2011-12-19." TopHit. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  65. ^ "Jennifer Lopez Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
  66. ^ "Jennifer Lopez Chart History (Dance Club Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
  67. ^ "Jennifer Lopez Chart History (Latin Pop Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
  68. ^ "Jennifer Lopez Chart History (Latin Rhythm Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved September 16, 2020.
  69. ^ "Chart Highlights: Dev Dominates Dance/Club Play Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. October 10, 2011. Archived from the original on December 17, 2012. Retrieved October 11, 2011.
  70. ^ "Top Radio Hits Ukraine Annual Chart 2011" (in Russian). TopHit. Archived from the original on March 16, 2023. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
  71. ^ "Best of 2011: Dance/Club Songs (41–50)". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Archived from the original on November 10, 2016. Retrieved January 3, 2012.
  72. ^ "TOP digital utworów – 2012". ZPAV. Archived from the original on May 10, 2019. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
  73. ^ "Top Radio Hits Ukraine Annual Chart 2012" (in Russian). TopHit. Archived from the original on March 25, 2023. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  74. ^ "Brazilian single certifications – Jennifer Lopez – Papi" (in Portuguese). Pro-Música Brasil. Retrieved August 21, 2024.
  75. ^ "Canadian single certifications – Jennifer Lopez – Papi". Music Canada. Retrieved June 11, 2012.
  76. ^ "Italian single certifications – Jennifer Lopez – Papi" (in Italian). Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana. Select "2011" in the "Anno" drop-down menu. Type "Papi" in the "Filtra" field. Select "Singoli" under "Sezione".
  77. ^ "Dal 12 Agosto in tutte le radio Jennifer Lopez – "Papi", il nuovo singolo". Earone.it. August 9, 2011. Archived from the original on May 26, 2023. Retrieved May 26, 2023.
  78. ^ "Papi". Amazon. Archived from the original on September 25, 2021. Retrieved June 1, 2019.
  79. ^ [4]
  80. ^ "®R&R :: Going for Adds™ :: Rhythmic". gfa.radioandrecords.com. Archived from the original on August 15, 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2022.
  81. ^ [5]
  82. ^ [6]
  83. ^ [7]