Booty (Jennifer Lopez song)

This article is about the Jennifer Lopez song. For the 2000 song by Erykah Badu, see Mama's Gun. For the 2007 song by Tito el Bambino, see It's My Time (Tito El Bambino album).

"Booty"
Song

"Booty" is a song recorded by American entertainer Jennifer Lopez for her eighth studio album, A.K.A. (2014). It was written and produced by Cory Rooney, Lopez, and Benny Medina, with additional writing from Chris Brown, Asia Bryant, Pitbull, Diplo, Lewis D. Gittus, Tedra Renee Wilson, and Danny Omerhodic. "Booty" samples "Dat a Freak", a song by Diplo & Swick, and it features Lopez's frequent collaborator Pitbull. "Booty" was released as the third single from the record in September 2014.

Initially entitled "Big Booty", the song was first rejected by Lopez who didn't like the idea of having a song with a title like that. However, after playing the demo for her kids, they enjoyed the track and later Lopez was convinced to record the track; eventually becoming only "Booty". The song is a dance track, with middle eastern vibe, while its lyrics portrait Lopez inviting girls to the dancefloor to have a good time and dance, while shaking their "booty".

"Booty" was first premiered during a listening party Lopez threw for critics, later she performed a snippet of the track during a concert and eventually premiered it full at an Orchard Beach concert. The song received generally favorable reviews from music critics, with many complimenting the song's fun nature, the dance environment and Pitbull's appearance, but a few dismissed the song's concept. "Booty" has been performed numerous times, including on Good Morning America. A one-minute teaser clip for the track was released on June 13, 2014, and it features Lopez and a group of women twerking.

Background and recording

In 2011, Jennifer Lopez released her long-awaited seventh studio album, Love?. The album was met with mixed reception from critics and had a moderate impact on the charts. However, the album spawned her most successful single to date, "On the Floor", which topped more than twenty national single charts. In March 2012, Lopez released "Dance Again", the lead-single from her first greatest hits album, Dance Again... The Hits (2012). After her seven-month Dance Again World Tour, Lopez started writing and recording new songs for an upcoming album. On March 22, 2013, Lopez posted an image of herself, American recording artist Chris Brown and long-time producer Cory Rooney in a recording studio, indicating that they were collaborating on material for the album. Later, the singer confirmed the collaboration, saying, "We were in the studio writing songs and getting that whole 'Jenny from the Block' flavour back on. We actually worked on a bunch of ideas and we talked about doing a duet together for his album."

Later, Lopez received a demo of a song called "Big Booty", produced by Diplo, and was encouraged to record the track, with everybody indicating that it was the type of track she needed to do. However, Lopez claimed: "Never in my life will I do a song called 'Big Booty', it would never happen," explaining that she felt it was going to be a joke and the album was very important. After some reluctance, Lopez ended up writing the track and played the demo in her car to see if it would work. While playing some tracks in her car, with her twins, Lopez stated that they instantly loved that the track: "As soon as they heard 'Big Booty' they went crazy. They loved this song and because of that I recorded it," she admitted. During a brunch where she debuted multiple songs from A.K.A., Lopez spoke of the track, saying: "I didn't allow myself to be put in a box. On this album, I did all of it. This is who I am and i have to embrace all of that and be as honest as I can be."

Composition and lyrics

"Booty" was written by Jennifer Lopez, Cory Rooney, Benny Medina, Chris Brown, Pitbull, Asia Bryant, Lewis D. Gittus, Tedra Renee Wilson, Danny Omerhodic and Diplo. It was produced by Lopez, Rooney and Medina, while Pitbull is featured on the track, becoming the sixth time he and Lopez collaborated in a song. The song also samples "Dat a Freak" by Diplo & Swick (featuring TT the Artist and Lewis CanCut). "Booty" was considered the only dance track on the album, having a quirky middle eastern vibe into the mix. Saeed Saeed of The National also noted that the song has "heavy percussion and Oriental keyboard riff." "All the sexy girls in the party, go grab a man and bring him to the dancefloor," she sings. Alexa Camp of Slant Magazine described the song's lyrical content as "a tribute to ladies who are, uh, 'booty-full'." Lopez claimed that lyrically, it's about owning everything about you and who you are, and embracing that." Katie Hasty wrote for HitFix that, lyrically, "she is admiring others' [booties] and gazing at them on other people, while she is flaunting her own for you." Hasty also noted that in the song Lopez is "both the objectifier and the object."

Critical reception

Reception towards the song was positive, with many critics praising the song's fun nature and Pitbull verses. Amaya Mendizabal of Billboard praised the track, calling it "a massive dance record," writing that the potential hit "begs for a dance troop and some serious choreography." Mike Wass of Idolator agreed, naming it a "surefire dance smash for the summer." Wass also praised Lopez and Pitbull collaboration, writing that it is "next-level in comparison to previous outings with Mr. Worldwide." Rory Cashin of Entertainment.ie also praised Pitbull verses, calling them "fun" (noting that they never thought they'd actually write those words) and praised Lopez "on her most flirtatiously playful." In the same vein, Spin's Anupa Mistry called Pitbull's verse "voracious", writing that it's "an inspired pairing that will probably kill radio."

Jazz Tangcay of So So Gay labeled it "a party anthem with a Middle Eastern vibe to it," noting that it "requires you to turn it up and if you’re at a party or with some friends, you’ll be shaking your ‘Booty’." Lydia Jenkin remarked that "though 'Booty' might have some of the most ridiculous lyrics she has ever been involved with, you know it is going to spend months being spun round club dance floors, and has some of that Beyonce-ish military drum beat appeal that works so well with urban choreography." Phil Mogredien of The Observer was more critical with the song, writing that the song finds Lopez and Pitbull "celebrating big arses in spectacularly risible fashion."

Promotion

Teaser video

To further promote "A.K.A.", Lopez shot teaser videos for some tracks of the album. The first was "Emotions", followed by "Worry No More" and "Booty". For the video, the singer wore printed leggings and a cherry-colored crop top with a snapback hat, transitioning into sequin booty shorts and a matching crop top. The one-minute teaser clip for "Booty" sees Lopez and a group of backup dancers in patterned tights twerking form against an industrial backdrop. Zayda Rivera of New York Daily News further explained the storyline: "Her voluptuous backside takes center stage in the music video as Lopez displays her own take on the dancing craze while instructing other women on just how to move it." Rivera also commented that the video "quickly confirmed why she's dominated dance in pop music since her big break as a Fly Girl on the hit ’90s sketch comedy series 'In Living Color'." Alex Heigl of People agreed, stating: "This is not some new-to-the-twerking-game rookie. This is how it's done. We hope you're ready." Rachel McRady of US Magazine declared that Lopez "reclaimed her title of most diva-licious derriere in the new teaser video for her upcoming single 'Booty'." Mike Wass of Idolator called the video's visual "hands-down the best thing you will watch today. Or ever."

Live performances

Lopez performed a snippet of "Booty" during her set at Power 106′s "Powerhouse 2014", on May 17, 2014. "Booty" was performed fully at her Orchard Beach free concert, in the Bronx, on June 4, 2014. Later, Lopez performed "Booty" once again on Good Morning America Concert Series, on June 20, 2014, being the first televised performance of the song. The performance had shirtless men cooling her down with large fans and placing her on a cushy white couch. Lopez also performed the track at her Foxwoods concert on June 21 and during her set at the "iHeartRadio Ultimate Pool Party", on June 28, 2014. Lopez performed "Booty" again at Fashion Rocks on September 9, 2014. Lopez weared a skimpy, sequined leotard-minidress and, according to US Magazine's Esther Lee, "she sang, danced, and twerked her way through the song with precision as the audience roared in response." Elizabeth Wagmeister of AOL.com wrote that Lopez "stole the night at 'Fashion Rocks,' writing that she "triple-threat sizzled as she unashamedly bared her back side as she stormed the stage," having people "wondering if she is in fact aging backwards."

Charts

Prior its official release, "Booty" has charted on the South Korea's Gaon Download Chart, debuting at number 25, with sales of 5,089 copies.

Chart (2014)	Peak position
South Korea (Gaon International Digital Chart)	25

Iggy Azalea version

"Booty"
Song

"Booty" was officially remixed with vocals from Australian rapper Iggy Azalea, replacing those of Pitbull. The song was uploaded by Lopez on her Audiomack account on August 26, 2014 alongside with its cover art, featuring both Lopez and Azalea on body swimsuits and heels. It will be released for digital download on September 23, 2014. Lopez and Azalea have previously worked on a song called "Acting Like That", also from Lopez's eighth studio album, A.K.A., and eventually they became friends, with Lopez deciding to collaborate once more with Azalea. The remix received generally positive reviews from critics, who commended Azalea for adding an explosive verse to the song. The music video for the remix was shot in Los Angeles in late August, and was directed by Hype Williams. It premiered on September 18, 2014, and it shows Lopez and Azalea dancing in revealing swimming costumes, before being drenched with water.

Background and release

When Lopez released her eighth studio album, "A.K.A.", she enlisted Australian rapper Iggy Azalea as a last-minute addition. Azalea contributed to the track "Acting Like That" and claimed she was honoured to be part of the remix, because she "used to sit in [her] bedroom as a young girl and lip-sync Jennifer Lopez songs, so it's very cool to have a song with her on her album." They also performed "Acting Like That" for the first time during a concert at B96′s Summer Bash in Chicago and eventually became friends, with Lopez also appearing on Azalea's MTV fashion show "House of Style". During their interview, Lopez revealed that "Booty" would be her next single and confirmed Azalea as the featuring guest. Lopez told that Azalea "did something on it and obviously because [they] have that in common," she says referencing their butts. Azalea completed that they "have high fashion booty."

On August 26, 2014, Lopez uploaded "Booty" on her Audiomack account. It will be released on September 23, 2014 for digital download on Amazon.com& ITunes. Lopez also posted the single's cover art, featuring both artists posing in swimsuits and heels, with wet hair and sultry stares and their derrieres nearly touching. Jim Farber of New York Daily News wrote that the single's cover art "doubles the pleasure and doubles the fun, playing off the idea of a high-level booty summit as the two singers model the same swimwear and same flanks." Azalea's verses replace those of Pitbull, whose verses were about Lopez's butt-related skills. Azalea instead talks about her own skills, with the rapper singing, "They begging me drop down on ‘em, but right now, Iggy on the top/The last time the world seen a booty this good, it was on Jenny from the Block".

Reception

Critical response to Iggy Azalea's guest vocals was generally positive.

The remix gathered positive reaction from music critics. Bradley Stern wrote for Idolator that "it should come as no surprise that Iggy Azalea's newly polished remix of Jennifer Lopez's ode to the booty, 'Booty,' is a booty-ful delight." Website Rap-Up praised the remix for "add[ing] an explosive verse to the bombastic banger." Brennan Carley of Spin enjoyed the track, claiming that Azalea "stomps in with some much stronger words for the haters than the ones Taylor Swift lobbed on 'Shake It Off'." Nolan Feeney of Time noted that Azalea appearance is now "thankfully on hand to inject the song with a little extra stuffing." Jim Farber of New York Daily News wrote that, musically, "the new take has more oopmh, courtesy of Azalea's rapid flow, not to mention the added story line of J. Lo playing butt-mentor to the new curvy flavor of the month." However, Farber also noted that "even in the remix, the song won't be as fetching to most fans as the women's figures. It has a fairly routine club beat, and Lopez' vocal remains pale and thin." Farber went on to comment on A.K.A's lackluster sales and how Azalea could help Lopez to regain success on the charts.

By inserting the butt-of-the-hour into her song, Lopez stands at least some chance of breathing life into her dead album. At this point, everything Azalea touches becomes a hit including her guest shot on Ariana Grande's "Problem" and her own smash "Fancy." Also, butts have a central role in today's pop work - obvious to anyone who watched the MTV Video Music Awards on Sunday."

Music video

Background and teaser

The music video for the song was shot on August 23, 2014 and was directed by Hype Williams. During an interview at the 2014 MTV Video Music Awards, Jennifer Lopez stated about the video, "It's a lot of booty." On September 4, 2014, Lopez teased the music video, giving a 30-second preview, where Lopez and Azalea were dressed in "barely-there bikinis that highlight their glorious derrieres," according to Marc Inocencio of Ryan Seacrest.com. He continued, "The preview also includes shots of the singer writhing on the floor, spanking her assets, flirtatiously dancing with Iggy, and covering herself in what appears to be massage oil." Christina Garibaldi of MTV News went on to comment that, "The teaser has Lopez tossing aside all inhibitions as she proudly shows off her famous backside in a skin-tight, black bikini complete with fishnet stockings. J.Lo continues to flaunt her assets as she rubs herself down with water (or oil, we can’t determine), smokes a cigarette and shows everybody how she twerks. J. Lo and director Hype Williams turn up the sexiness by bringing in Iggy Iggs into the mix as the two ladies dance together in black-and-white bathing suits with slicked back wet hair, as Jennifer playfully touches her fellow big-booty collaborator." The full video premiered on September 18, 2014.

Storyline and reception

Lopez as her alter-ego "Roxy" in the "Booty" music video.

As stated by Inocencio:

"The video immediately opens with Lopez and Azelea both clad in skimpy, cleavage-bearing bathing suits, colliding their backsides with one another. A majority of the clip features a ton of booty twerking, spanking, and a seductive scene where JLo is rubbing oil around her derrière. In the final scene, Jennifer debuts her alter-ego Roxy, who shakes her glorious backside in hyper speed while dressed fishnet stockings."

Katie Atkinson of Billboard claimed that the video "delivers exactly what the song promises," also noting that "Nicki Minaj's 'Anaconda' feels downright subtle next to this bootyfest." Lucas Villa of AXS drew a similar comparison, writing, "[Lopez and Azalea] certainly give Nicki Minaj's 'Anaconda' video a run for its money with their literal cheek-to-cheek moments." Jessica Hyndman of MTV News cited the "plenty of booty" in the video, the "hot oil", "the stiletto heels," the "sexy silhouettes", the "girl on girl grinding" and "J.LO's signature moves" as the "5-star recipe for a perfect music video." Bruna Nessif of E! Online wrote that "the video was a big sequence of bouncing bundonkadonk shots, which was great but also a little annoying because it's hard to focus," but ultimately claimed that "Iggy and J.Lo prove that they're the ultimate #TwerkTeam." Katie Hasty of HitFix was disappointed with the lack of dancing in the video, claiming that "Lopez - world-class dancer - doesn't really dance here. It's sexy, but I thought this was about booties on the dance floor and now I want my money back," also calling the video "generic". Eric Renner Brown of Entertainment Weekly described the video as "elegant and seductive", noting that it's also "seductively highbrow".