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“Mi Gente” Broken Down – Beyonce Style

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at San Francisco chapter.

According to Adele, “she is Jesus f***ing Christ.” To many, a modern day superwoman or queen.

She is the one and only, Beyonce.  

The singer (or saint) recently collaborated with J Balvin and Willy William on their single, “Mi Gente.” According to a statement from the Queen Bee herself:

“I am donating my proceeds from this song to hurricane and earthquake relief charities for Puerto Rico, Mexico and other affected Caribbean islands. To help go to https://www.beyonce.com/reliefefforts/.”

For our readers, here is a breakdown of all of the new references of “Mi Gente” in English, with the translation courtesy of Genius.

 

[Verse 1: J Balvin & Beyoncé]

If the rhythm drives you to move your head we

started this the right way

My music does not discriminate against anyone so

we’re going to break it down

 

This verse hasn’t changed; same as original.

 

With my style everyone moves

The party is in my genes

I am the babies’ queen

My people don’t stop, nobody wants to leave

 

If the rhythm is in your head

Get loose and move your feet

I love to hear that bass

We started leveling up

 

All of my people are moving

The party is in my genes

I am the babies’ queen

My music has them dancing strongly and they dance

like this

 

In the original song, these verses talk about how J Balvin’s music impacts people. J Balvin “makes music that entertains.” In the remix, Beyonce sings (in Spanish) how she has the control of the music industry in the palm of her hand, just like a queen.

Beyonce is known for being secretive, so whenever she makes an announcement, the world runs into frenzy. Her fans, or the “Beyhive,” are very loyal. There’s no denying how much of an impact she has had in pop culture, whether it’s through her clothing line, music such as “Lemonade,” or catchy phrases like “flawless” and “slay” that have made their way into everyday slang.

Needless to say, Beyonce makes music that transforms the industry – and she knows it.

 

[Verse 2: Willy William & Beyoncé]

We are breaking the disco

The party doesn’t stop, it just started

It’s like this, it’s like that

My darling, la la la la la

France, Colombia, Houston (Freeze)

J Balvin, Willy William, Beyoncé (Freeze)

The DJ’s don’t lie, my people like this and it went worldwide

We don’t turn it down, we’ll never stop,

it’s another hit and blam!

 

“Houston” replaces the original lyric “I like it (Freeze),” making a reference to Hurricane Harvey that swept through and destroyed Houston. Beyonce also introduces herself in the remix.

 

[Pre-Chorus: J Balvin, Willy Wiliam, Beyoncé]

And where are my people?

Move your head

Azul, are you with me

Say yeah, yeah, yeah

One, two, three, leggo’

(Ay yeah, yeah, yeah)

 

In the remix the lyric “Azul, are you with me,” replaces “And where are my people?”. 

“Azul,” or “blue” in Spanish, is a reference to Beyonce’s daughter, Blue Ivy.

 

[Verso 3: Beyoncé]

He say my body stay wetter than the ocean

And he say that Creole in my body is like a potion

I can be a beast or I can give you emotion

But please don’t question my devotion

 

I been giving birth on these haters ‘cause I’m fertile

See these double Cs on this bag, murda

Want my double Ds in his bed, Serta

If you really love me make an album about me, word up

 

Soon as I walk in

Boys start they talkin

Right as that booty sway (Freeze)

Slay

Lift up your people

From Texas, Puerto Rico

Dem’ islands to México (Freeze)

 

Verse 3 replaces J Balvin’s original lyrics. In the original “Mi Gente,” J Balvin sings about dancing, partying, and drinking. In the Beyonce remix, not only does she make a reference to all of the places that have been struck by disaster, she also makes a metaphorical reference to her pregnancy from this year.

She also acknowledges (for the first time in public) the album her husband, Jay Z, recently released when she sings “If you really love me make an album about me, word up.”

“4:44” was released by Jay Z earlier this year and is most likely the album Beyonce is referring to in this lyric.

 

[Pre-Chorus: J Balvin, Willy Wiliam, Beyoncé]

And where are my people? (Yeah, yeah, yeah)

Move your head (Yeah, yeah, yeah)

And where are my people? (Yeah, yeah, yeah)

Say yeah, yeah, yeah

One, two, three, leggo’

(Ay yeah, yeah, yeah)

 

[Verse 3: J Balvin]

Corner on the corner, that’s where we go (that’s where we go)

The world is big, but I have it in my hands

I’m very tough, yes, okay, there we go

And over time we keep going up

 

We keep breaking it in here

This party will never end

Bottles up, yeah

My people don’t stop, nobody wants to leave

 

In these verses, Beyonce makes a note of how loyal her Beyhive is.

 

[Pre-Chorus: J Balvin, Willy Wiliam, Beyoncé]

And where are my people?

Move your head

Azul, are you with me

Say yeah, yeah, yeah

One, two, three, leggo’

(Ay yes, I am)

[Outro: J Balvin]

Worldwide

Willy William

J Balvin, man