It’s official: after reporters spotted Janet Jackson and Daddy Yankee filming in a music video in Brooklyn at the end of July, the pop titans have officially announced their rumored collaboration. As several outlets previously reported, the collaboration is called “Made for Now,” and its video is being helmed by famed director Dave Meyers, who is behind some of Britney Spears, Missy Elliott, and Kendrick Lamar’s most beloved visuals.
Jackson officially announced the song and video on Instagram. It will be available on August 17, when she will also perform on The Tonight Show with The Big Boss himself, making him one of the few reggaeton performers to grace the late night show’s stage.
According to a press release, the song finds the 52-year-old legend exploring a global pop sound, as it is inspired by “Afrobeat and Latin music.” The video will also reflect the song’s afro-diasporic roots, portraying a local Brooklyn dance party featuring a squad of international dancers from Ghana, Nigeria, Grenada, and Trinidad. Consider this a crossover moment for the ages.
The announcement follows news of Daddy Yankee’s recent robbery in Spain, in which a thief who posed as the reggaeton superstar lifted over $2 million in jewelry and cash from his hotel room.
Check out Janet’s post on Instagram below, and keep an eye out for more information soon.