"Lokera" is a song by Puerto Rican singers Rauw Alejandro, Lyanno and Brray, for Aljenadro's third studio album, Saturno (2022). It was written by Alejandro, Lyanno, and Brray, while the production was handled by Mr. NaisGai, Alejandro, and Caleb Calloway. The song was released for digital download and streaming by Sony Music Latin and Duars Entertainment on July 25, 2022, as the lead single from the album. A Spanish language reggaeton and electronicperreo, it portrays the thrill of waking up in a stranger's bed. The track received widely positive reviews from music critics, who complimented its infectious and danceable rhythm and the singers' vocals.
"Lokera" was nominated for Urban Collaboration of the Year at the 36th Lo Nuestro Awards. The song was commercially successful, reaching the top 10 in eight countries, including Colombia and Chile, and on Billboard's Hot Latin Songs in the United States. It also became Lyanno's first entry on the Billboard Hot 100. The song has received several certifications, including 22× platinum (Latin) in the United States. An accompanying music video, released simultaneously with the song, was directed by Marlon Peña and Alejandro himself.
Background and release
Rauw Alejandro released his second studio album, Vice Versa on June 25, 2021.[1] The album debuted at number one on Billboard Top Latin Albums, giving Alejandro his first number one on the chart,[2] and was ranked as the third-best album of 2021 and the best Spanish-language album of the year by Rolling Stone.[3][4] Following his successful era, he tweeted on July 23, 2022, to clap back at his haters who criticize him for making music for TikTok: "TikTok is what the world uses, so rather music for the world, later they will create another platform and everyone will use it the same."[5] A few hours later, he announced the title of his new song made for TikTok, to be "Lokera", which would be a collaboration with Lyanno and Brray.[6]
On July 25, 2022, "Lokera" was released for digital download and streaming by Sony Music Latin and Duars Entertainment as the lead single from Alejandro's third studio album, Saturno.[7] The song was later included as the last track on the album, released November 11, 2022.[8]
Music and lyrics
Musically, "Lokera" is a Spanish language reggaeton and electronicperreo.[9][10][11] The song was written by Alejandro, Lyanno, and Brray. Its production was handled by Mr. NaisGai, Alejandro, Caleb Calloway, and Slow Jamz,[12] and the track runs for a total of 3 minutes and 15 seconds.[7] Lyrically, "Lokera" portrays the thrill of waking up in a stranger's bed,[13] with lyrics including, "Despertar en otra cama que no sea la mía / Me importa un bicho mi ex, si es tremenda porquería, jaja" (Waking up in another bed that is not mine / I don't give a damn about my ex, if it's tremendous crap, haha).[14]
Critical reception
Upon release, "Lokera" was met with widely positive reviews from music critics. In his review for Latina, Lucas Villa described Alejandro and Lyanno as "a dream duo" with "alluring vocals" that makes the song "more irresistible". He added that "Alejandro will continue to rule the dance floor with 'Lokera' in his arsenal".[10] An author of Monitor Latino labeled it "a theme for the party" and named Alejandro "one of the main exponents of urban music in recent years".[15]Remezcla's Jeanette Hernandez described "Lokera" as "hot", while Alberto Palao Murcia from Los 40 named it a "collaboration full of rhythm".[11][16] Writing for The Fader, Jordan Darville noted that it "has a red-bloodiness that's as infectious as it is unsavory", naming Lyanno and Brray the "perfect wingmen for the track".[17] Ernesto Lechner from Rolling Stone ranked the track as Alejandro's 36th-best song,[13] and Billboard staff listed it among the "7 Essential Tracks" on Saturno.[18]
"Lokera" is one of Alejandro's most commercially successful songs in his career, peaking at number 55 on the Billboard Global 200.[23][24] The song debuted at number 37 on the US BillboardHot Latin Songs chart on August 13, 2022, becoming Alejandro's 32nd entry, as well as both Lyanno and Brray's second.[25] On December 24, 2022, the track reached its peak of number nine, giving Alejandro his ninth top-10 hit on the chart, Lyanno his first, and Brray his second.[26][27][28] "Lokera" debuted at number 99 on the US Billboard Hot 100 on the chart issue dated October 22, 2022, becoming Alejandro's sixth entry on the chart, Lyanno's first and Brray's second.[29][30][31] The song was certified 22× platinum (Latin) by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), for track-equivalent sales of over 1.320,000 units in the United States.[32] In Spain, "Lokera" peaked at number 12 and was certified triple platinum by the Productores de Música de España (PROMUSICAE), for track-equivalent sales of over 180,000 units in the country.[33] The track reached the top 10 in Colombia,[34] Chile,[35] Dominican Republic,[36] Ecuador,[37] Guatemala,[38] Honduras,[39] and Peru.[40] It also peaked in the top 20 of Bolivia,[41] Costa Rica,[42] El Salvador,[43] Latin America,[44] Mexico,[45] and Puerto Rico.[46] In Mexico, the song was certified 4× platinum + gold by the Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas (AMPROFON), for track-equivalent sales of over 630,000 units.[47]
Promotion
Music video
A screenshot from the music video, depicting Alejandro singing in front of the mirror in the bathroom.
An accompanying music video was released simultaneously with the song. The visual was directed by the Marlon Peña and Alejandro himself. The scene opens with Alejandro putting on his clothes after a hookup. The camera then captures the nocturnal activities of Lyanno, who delivers his verse among people dancing, drinking, and having fun in San Juan, Puerto Rico. A different shot shows Rauw being confronted by a man outside a bathroom, and Lyanno intervenes to prevent a potential conflict. The man is escorted out by the crowd, while Rauw expresses his gratitude to Lyanno for his assistance. Next, Brray performs his rap as a woman dances sensually with him. The video ends with the attendees jumping into a pool filled with inflatable toys. However, their enjoyment is cut short by a police raid that terminates their splendid time.[11]
