Leyendas (song)

"Leyendas" (Spanish for "Legends") is a song performed and arranged by Colombian singer Karol G, released on March 25, 2021, through Universal Music Latino, from her third studio album KG0516 (2021). With "Leyendas", Karol G wanted to honor and pay tribute to the earlier, original generation of reggaetón artists (or reggaetoneros) who paved the way before her; "Leyendas" is not an original composition by Karol G, but rather a remixing of several famous reggaetón songs by Ivy Queen, Wisin & Yandel, Nicky Jam, Zion and Alberto Stylee, respectively. The track features Karol G singing portions of each song along with newly recorded vocals by the original artists.

Background
The song was first revealed through Karol G's album track list announcement for her third studio album KG0516 on March 22, 2021. The song was released on March 25, 2021 with the release of the album.

On an exclusive interview with MoluscoTV Karol G explained why she wanted to make the song: "The most beautiful thing for me in making "Leyendas" was that I called all the artists and told them the idea of the song. That this genre has grown and evolved because I feel everyone collaborates with everyone, from the biggest artist to the smallest ones and new ones, and that has made the genre evolve. I choose my favorite classics, called the artists and asked them. No one told me 'no', there were no egos, and you know what? That makes them more of a legends, because from them, is that we the new ones learn to let go of fights we might have with each other, from those big artists."

In the same interview, Giraldo also revealed how Chencho from Plan B was supposed to appear on the track, but due to problems with his label, was denied permission: "Hopefully one day you’ll guys will get to hear the verse he made. For me that was the worse feeling, that he didn’t make it into the final cut, he deserved it because of how fire his verse was."

Composition
"Leyendas" interpolates and pays respect to several popular "old-school" reggaetón hits.

The track begins with "Quiero Bailar" (2002) by Ivy Queen, with nearly the same synthetic harpsichord intro as the original, albeit reworked. Ivy Queen can be heard saying «''Señoras y señores, bienvenidos al perreo intenso 2020. ¿O es 2021? You heard?! Agarren a su pareja y prepárate porque viene Karol G…» On her original song, Ivy Queen says «Señoras y señores, bienvenidos al party. Agarren a su pareja por la cintura y prepárete, porque lo que viene no está fácil...''» She then begins singing the song's chorus, leading into Karol G singing the first verse of the song. Then Ivy Queen sings the bridge portion of "Quiero Bailar", «Mujeres, pa’ la disco a bailar; ven demuéstrale a tu man que es la qué hay…»

The second song to be honored is "En La Disco Bailoteo" by Wisin & Yandel, featuring Karol G and Wisin performing verses from the original. This is further followed by Karol G singing parts of "Me Pones en Tension" with Zion & Lennox, "Yo No Soy Tu Marido" with Nicky Jam, and "Vengo Acabando" originally by Wisin & Yandel, Alberto Stylee and Franco El Gorila.

Critical reception
Billboard called the song an essential track to the album, stating "The Colombian artist reeled in some of the biggest pioneers in reggaetón’s history, paying a nearly six-minute tribute to the genre’s earlier years. You’d think that the closing track would wrap up Karol’s new album nicely — but this only marks the beginning for the rising star."