"Downtown" is a song by Brazilian singer Anitta and Colombian singer J Balvin fully sung in Portuguese, despite its title being in English.[2] It was written by Anitta and Balvin together with Justin Quiles and producer Sky Rompiendo. The song was released as a single on 19 November 2017 as part of Anitta's project entitled Check Mate, in which she released a new song each month.[3] The track was nominated for a Latin Grammy Award for Best Urban Song at the 19th Latin Grammy Awards.
In early 2016, Anitta and J Balvin collaborated for the first time when she did a remix for his single "Ginza", which received an official release as a single only in Brazil.[2] Following that, Anitta began planning an international career and started releasing a series of collaborations including singles with artists such as Maluma, Iggy Azalea and Major Lazer during 2016 and 2017 in order to start the process of establishing her career outside of Brazil. The collaboration with Iggy Azalea, "Switch", marked the first time Anitta released a song in which she sings in English. A single named "Paradinha", which is sung in Spanish, followed in 2017 and became one of Anitta's biggest hits in Brazil whilst also charting in other countries such as Mexico and Portugal.
Later in 2017, Anitta announced a project entitled Check Mate, in which consists of releasing a new song in rather English, Spanish or Portuguese along with its accompanying music video.[4] She launched the project with the premiere of the Poo Bear-produced "Will I See You" which became her first single in English as a main artist.[4] In October 2017, she adventured into EDM by releasing the single "Is That for Me", a collaboration with Swedish DJ Alesso.[5]
For the November Check Mate release, Anitta announced she would be releasing a collaboration with Colombian singer J Balvin, following his worldwide breakout with hit single "Mi Gente". About working with Balvin, Anitta said it was “incredible” and that they have "worked together before, but [she was] happy [they] made this song. He’s one of [her] favorite artists, so this was an amazing experience”.[2]
Anitta and J Balvin performed the song together for the first time before its official release on Spotify event in Las Vegas to promote a new version of『¡Viva Latino!』playlist.[6][7] Following that, the single premiered on Spotify on the relaunched『¡Viva Latino!』playlist with an exclusive vertical music video on 19 November 2017 and was later added to several playlists, including "Today's Top Hits", which is Spotify's playlist with the most followers. A billboard featuring Anitta and Balvin promoting the single and Spotify streaming service was put on Times Square, New York, on 26 November 2017.[8] On 5 September 2018, Anitta performed the song with LaliatTalento FOX, where they also performed Lali's song "100 Grados".[9]
A music video premiered on Spotify's mobile app on 19 November 2017, on the newly relaunched ¡Viva Latino! playlist, and became the first vertical video by a Brazilian star to premiere as a Spotify exclusive. The vertical music video features Anitta sensually dancing with another woman in white and green backgrounds while J Balvin performs his verses.[11]
The official music video was shot by director Bruno Igloti in New York City on 7 November 2017. Anitta traveled to New York for a number of promotional meetings and then met with Balvin and Igloti on set for the shooting of the video.[13] Igloti and Anitta have previously worked together on several of Anitta's music videos, including the 2017's videos for the singles "Paradinha" and "Sua Cara". Anitta and Balvin first teased the video by posting a series of behind-the-scenes photos and videos on their social medias during its shooting.[14] The video was eventually released on 20 November 2017, a day after the song debuted on streaming services and online stores.[7]
The concept of the video is the exploration of the glamorous universe of the 1940s Parisian casinos and it features Anitta and J Balvin joining forces to carry out a plan against fellow casino players and cheat on the games in order to steal their money.[15] About the characters portrayed by Balvin and Anitta, the latter says "gambling is their universe. They observe every detail in that environment before applying their moves. They are cheaters and accomplices".[16] The costumes used by Anitta featured a mix of clothing from the C&A department store — the singer's sponsor in the Check Mate project — with other elements created by stylists for the singer.
"Downtown" reached the highest peak in the Portuguese charts among Anitta's other solo singles that have previously charted when it reached number 13 on the chart dated of 16 December 2017. The song also became J Balvin's second most successful track in Portugal, behind only his worldwide hit "Mi Gente" which peaked at number one. The song has also become Anitta's most successful single in Colombia so far and became her first entry on both Spanish and Swiss charts, as well as the US Hot Latin Songs chart. In Brazil, the song debuted at number 53 on the airplay chart dated of 11 December 2017.
In November 2020, the South Korean girl group Purple Kiss covered the song as part of their international medley of covers of the top female vocalist from each country.[62]
