Bichota

"Bichota" is a song by Colombian singer-songwriter Karol G. It was written by Karol G, Lenny Tavárez, J Quiles, Cristián Salazar and Ovy on the Drums, and produced by the latter. The song was released on October 23, 2020, through Universal Music Latino, as the third single from her third studio album KG0516 (2021).

Background

In mid-October 2020, "Bichota" was first teased several days prior to its release through Karol G's social media accounts, with a post captioning the letter "B" and an emoji of "coming soon". A subsequent letter was released each day until the word "bichota" was spelled-out. The song was officially announced on October 19, 2020. The single's cover artwork, shot by photographer Alfredo Flores, was revealed the following day. The song was released on October 23, 2020.

Composition

The word "bichota" is a play on words, a feminine form of the Puerto Rican Spanish term "bichote". In the context of Puerto Rican underground culture, a "bichote" is someone affiliated in drug trafficking, a top-ranking member of a gang, a mobster, or "capo" ("boss" in Spanish). The bichote is highly regarded, and is considered important and influential. He has typically earned this reputation through repeated success on the black market, namely in the moving of large amounts of illegal drugs, jewelry or firearms, among other activities.

Despite its initial meaning, Karol G decided to make it her own, giving the word a slightly new meaning. Rather than its use the context of illicit activities, Karol G gives it a positive, empowering sense, stating:

[It's] a moment of feeling sexy, flirtatious, daring, strong, empowered, and to a certain extent, translates into personal motivation and self-confidence. We are all super Bichotas inside. It’s about believing and working so that the rest of the world can see it too.

Critical reception

Billboard stated how the song set the tone for the album, saying: "She came headstrong on the Billboard Hot 100-charting banger with a fierce attitude, fierce beats, and fierce lyrics."

Commercial performance

"Bichota" debuted at #97, on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart dated for December 5, 2020. The song reached its peak in its 10th week at #72, for the chart dated February 13, 2021. At the time it became the highest-charting Spanish-language song by a female soloist on the Billboard Hot 100.

On the US Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart dated for November 7, 2020 the song debuted at #7, and reached its peak at #3 on the chart dated for December 5, 2020. On the Billboard Argentina Hot 100 chart, the song reached #1.

The song received a double Latin diamond certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on November 24, 2021, for sales equating to over 1.2 million units. In Mexico, the song was certified 21× diamond and 3× platinum by the Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas (AMPROFON), for sales equivalent to 6.4 million units, becoming the highest-certified song by a solo act in the country, and second overall behind her other hit single, "Tusa" (2019) with Nicki Minaj.

Awards and nominations

Music video

The music video for "Bichota" was directed by Colin Tilley and was released on Karol G's YouTube channel on October 23, 2020.

A second music video was released exclusively on her Facebook page on November 12, 2020. As of January 2023, it has over 337 million views.

Live performances

"Bichota" was performed for the first time on November 8, 2020, at the 27th Annual MTV Europe Music Awards. The song was performed once again at the 28th Annual Billboard Music Awards on May 23, 2021. In collaboration with Billboard and energy drink Rockstar, Karol G performed "Bichota" for the Summer Spotlight concert series on September 15, 2021. On February 19, 2023, Karol G was the headlining act for Viña Del Mar International Song Festival, where the song was performed. "Bichota" has been present on the set list of all of Karol G's solo headlining tours, including the Bichota Tour, Strip Love Tour and the Mañana Será Bonito Tour.

Charts

Weekly charts

Year-end charts

Certifications

Release history

See also

• List of Billboard number-one Latin songs of 2021