Puerto Rican superstar Ricky Martin has teamed up with his compatriots Residente and Bad Bunny on “Cántalo.” On the new anthem, which dropped Tuesday, Nov. 12, the trio praises the power of the people through music.
With the massive protests against Puerto Rico’s former governor Ricardo Rosselló back in July, Martin was one of the first artists to speak out and amplify the news on social media. Calle 13’s Residente and trapero Bad Bunny added their voices to the movement and all three musicians were seen on the ground with local protesters. Rosselló later resigned and sparked Martin’s collaboration with his new allies.
“Puerto Rico is a very small island, but damn, we’re musical!” Martin said in a recent interview with EW. “It’s incredible, but we look for any excuse to make music.”
The song is a proudly Puerto Rican song with elements of salsa, reggaeton and trap music coming together.”Cántalo” was recorded in Los Angeles and New York City. It was written by Ricky Martin ( co-written with Danay Suarez), Residente, Bad Bunny, Rubén Blades, and Johnny Pacheco, under Residente production along with Trooko.
While “Afilando” was out for blood, Martin’s latest track is ready for a party. “Dancing in the street, the town speaks / Sing it,” he croons in Spanish with his signature “lei-lo-leis.” Residente and Bad Bunny pay tribute to late greats Maelo Ruíz and Héctor Lavoe while encouraging the people to dance. “Shake it like your flag,” El Conejo Malo says. Old and new school Latin music collide on the roaring yet culturally rich “Cántalo.”
“He’s unapologetic and he’s speaking the language that the people want to hear and that the younger generation understands,” Martin said of working with Bad Bunny. The two previously collaborated on “Caro,” a song on x 100pre that Martin co-wrote and sang on. With Residente, they will perform “Cántalo” live at the Latin Grammy Awards in Las Vegas on Nov. 14.
Listen to “Cántalo” by Ricky Martin, Residente and Bad Bunny below.