"Tiburones" is a song recorded by Puerto Rican singer Ricky Martin for his first extended play, Pausa. The song was released by Sony Music Latin on January 23, 2020. On April 10, 2020, a remix version featuring Puerto Rican singer, Farruko was released. The accompanying lyric video was also released on Ricky Martin's YouTube channel on the same day. The song reached number one in Martin's native Puerto Rico, as well as the top 10 in Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Panama, Paraguay and Uruguay.
Background
"It's an honor for me to do this," Farruko said about the remix. "I admire what you do and I've always followed your career. I'm so happy to share this beautiful song with you that motivates people to put their hands up and leave violence behind and to hug each other during difficult times." A few days after the remix with Farruko was released, Puerto Rican singer, Ozuna, explained that Ricky has excluded him from the remix of the song! "I had made the song "Tiburones", the original was with me. I don't know what happened, I had my problems. It was before I had all my personal affairs. I do not know if it was that he changed his perspective and his impression with me, perhaps he said 'this is not the Ozuna that I knew before', after the situations that I had. I respect that, I was very interested in the song, another style of rhythm, we put the seasoning on it, we put a lot of things into it" he said exclusively for the Youtube channel, MoluscoTV. "I was very sad when I saw that I didn't appear in the song, but it was not annoying or something like this, I respect Ricky a lot...", Ozuna declared publicly. After he could not participate in "Tiburones", Ozuna told El Break de las 7 that he doesn't lose faith of making a musical collaboration with Martin. In addition, he assured that he loves the theme of Ricky Martin and Farruko and that he listens to it constantly.
Critical reception
Suzette Fernandez from Billboard gave the song a positive review, saying ""Tiburones" is a powerful song that promotes peace, love, unity and acceptance." Also Griselda Flores from Billboard wrote about the remix: "The upbeat remix gives the already hit song a new life with urban-tinged beats and Farruko's distinctive vocals and rhymes."
Commercial performance
"Tiburones" became Martin's 49th entry on Hot Latin Songs, debuting at number 44 in February 2020 and peaking at number 34 in May 2020. Thus he became the first and only artist in history to enter the chart in five different decades. "Tiburones" also entered the Latin Pop Airplay chart at number 25 becoming his 50th entery. and later jumped at number 9 thanks to its 1,000 plays earned in the week ending March 29. With the move, Martin collects 38 top 10s on the chart and breaks away from a two-way tie with Shakira for the runner-up slot trailing only Enrique Iglesias who continues at the helm with 42 top 10s. It also extends his own record as the artist with most top 20s on the chart with 47 songs, respectively. Besides the United States, the hit peaked in the top 10 of nine Latin American countries reaching number one in Puerto Rico for three consecutive weeks.
Music video
The music video was released alongside the song on January 23, 2020. The video was filmed in Puerto Rico and directed by Kacho Lopez, who had also directed the videos for old Martin singles "Jaleo" and "Tal Vez". The clip shows Martin walking in front of an armoured vehicle while police in riot gear face off against what appears to be a citizen protest. The tension is palpable, but what unfolds is a massive street party as the protest turns into a celebration, the police dropping their helmets and weapons to join in. The music video also features diversity in sexual orientations. On May 7, 2020, Ricky Martin and Farruko released another music video for the remix version. The black-and-white clip was shot at home, on their phones, because of coronavirus restrictions. Martin was in Los Angeles, Farruko recorded his scenes in Puerto Rico and director Carlos Perez worked from Miami.
Awards and nominations
Live performances
Ricky Martin performed the song at the Lo Nuestro Awards on February 20, 2020.
Cover versions
Mexican band, Reik, recorded their own version of Ricky Martin's hit song "Tiburones". The cover was recorded in the middle of the pandemic with the three members recording from different parts of the world. The video was released on their YouTube channel on May 20, 2020.
Argentinian singer, Emilia, shared her own cover version of "Tiburones" Remix on her instagram stories.
MYA, Argentinian duo, recorded an Acoustic cover version of the song and shared its video with their followers on their instagram official page on April 11, 2020.
