When three hitmakers become one, the result is destined for world domination. Such is the case with Major Lazer and Colombian reggaeton icon J. Balvin, who teamed up with Dominican don El Alfa for the last hit of summer “Que Calor” which released on September 9th. The Latin-infused production featuring Diplo in a cow print suit and cowboy hat, and fiery art direction throughout, loosens up the dancefloor with titillating flute trills, body-banging beats and fluid rhythms. Paired with spitfire guest verses from J Balvin and El Alfa, “Que Calor” has earned the top spot as a song with global appeal. Just two weeks after its release, “Que Calor” jumped 19-1 on Latin Digital Song Sales, marking the first No. 1 for both Major Lazer and El Alfa and the sixth for Balvin.
The trio who are lapping up audience goodwill and radio wave dominion with this steamy club banger ever since its’ initial release now have an implausible surprise for Indian fans! India’s music mogul and numero uno rapper Badshah, who recently collaborated with international music group Now United, has been roped in from the sub-continent exclusively for the official remix of the single which drops tomorrow on all platforms. This collaboration marks a massive global revolution bringing together the best of the Latin, American and Indian music industry on one single platform!
The track that samples the instantly recognizable cumbia classic “Curara,” by Toto La Momposina, features catchy lyrics including words like “yesca,” which is Mexican slang for marijuana and “saoco,” which is Puerto Rican slang for a lot of flavour and now “laundon” and “bijli” which is Indian slang for boys and electricity.
Directed by VMA and BET Award winner Colin Tilley (Kendrick Lamar, Future, Nicki Minaj) and choreographed by fellow VMA winner Calvit Hodge, the original video stars Major Lazer’s Diplo and Ape Drums as well as Balvin and El Alfa alongside two of the band’s legendary Lazer Gyals, Sara Bivens and Helen Gedlu. Major Lazer recently revealed a dance compilation video featuring Lil Pump and America’s Got Talent’s Kid The Wiz as well as a fan talent dance integration with a wide swath of talented dancers —including famous YouTuber Lele Pons
Speaking further on the collaboration Major Lazer states, “We just dropped an official remix of Que Calor with Badshah, who brings serious heat. India holds a special place in our hearts & our Indian fans have given so much love back to us to our songs, so it was time for us to give something special to them. India, enjoy this Badshah Remix!”
Elaborating further Badshah adds, “It is a huge pleasure for me to be on the Que Calor India Remix. I loved the track the moment I heard it. Major Lazer are dance music legends, I have worked with them in the past and I truly believe they have a major role in shaping the current global sound. J Balvin is a rockstar whom I really look up to and I think El Alfa has done an extraordinary job. It gives me honour and pleasure to be collaborating with these stars and bring Que Calor to India. Prepare to be blown away.”
“Que Calor” is the third new track from Diplo and co. since the release of their Africa Is The Future EP earlier this year; other recent songs include “Can’t Take It From Me” (ft. Skip Marley) and “Make It Hot” (ft. Anitta), both of which have received their own remixes. Diplo also remixed “Old Town Road,” and released an album with Sia and Labrinth as LSD this past April. His last full-length project with Major Lazer was 2015’s Peace Is the Mission.
As for the impossibly prolific J Balvin, his collaborative album with Bad Bunny came out back in June; they did “QUE PRETENDES” together at this year’s VMAs, and put out a video for “CUIDAO POR AHÍ.” J Balvin was also featured on Rosalía’s excellent “Con Altura.”
BADSHAH VERSE
Sar se lekey paaon tak Saari ki saari savage
Saadhe paanch foot ka nahi dekha aisa package
Insurance check karlo club ka hone waala hai damage
Iss body ke saath dilli kaise karti ho manage
Baby lightly na lo, security lekey chala karo
Expression control karo, laundon ka kuch toh bhala karo
Ye marney ko taiyaar hain, tu bijli ki nangi taar hai
Kamar hilaati hai tou kaise mere samajh ke baahar hai