J Balvin and Tainy have officially traveled to Bikini Bottom, on the floor of the Pacific Ocean, to start the party with their friends SpongeBob SquarePants and Patrick Star for the “Agua” music video out today (July 15).
“Agua,” which is a feel-good song about having an underwater fiesta, is part of the forthcoming Sponge on the Run movie soundtrack executive produced by Latin talent incubator NEON16.
As fans wait for the new SpongeBob flick to premiere, Billboard highlights 10 Latin artists who have formed part of the soundtrack of an animated film.
From Shakira’s “Try Everything” to Carlos Rivera’s “Recuerdame,” and beyond, vote for the best one below.
Tainy, J Balvin, “Agua”
Movie: Sponge on the Run
Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon have joined forces with NEON16 to bring to life the SpongeBob Movie: Sponge on the Run movie soundtrack, executive produced by award-winning producer Tainy and renowned industry leader Lex Borrero. Tainy and J Balvin teamed up for its first single “Agua,” an uptempo track fusing the iconic SpongeBob intro with a party-starting reggaeton and bass melody.
SZA, Justin Timberlake, Ovy on the Drums, “The Other Side”
Movie: Trolls World Tour
Earlier this year, SZA and Justin Timberlake dropped the futuristic-inspired music video for “The Other Side,” part of the Trolls World Tour movie soundtrack. Shortly after, Colombian hitmaker Ovy on the Drums jumped on the remix. The original bop released Feb. 26, is a disco-infused funk song with inspirational lyrics about getting back on your feet and lifting your head up high. In the remix, Ovy adds his distinctive sound, giving “The Other Side” an urban-beat facelift.
Zayn, Becky G, “Un Mundo Ideal”
Movie: Aladdin (Live-Action)
Becky G weaved her Spanish-language verse into Zayn’s English ones in a bilingual version of Aladdin’s “A Whole New World” for the 2019 live-action directed by Guy Ritchie and starring Will Smith. “This is truly a dream come true,” the Mexican-American songstress expressed last year on Instagram. Dubbed “Un Mundo Ideal,” the collaboration is featured in the film’s end credits in Spanish-speaking Latin American markets and on the Walt Disney Records Latin Spanish-language soundtrack.
Anitta, “Ugly (Fea)”
Movie: Ugly Dolls
Music artists, such as Kelly Clarkson, Pitbull, Nick Jonas, Lizzo, and Blake Shelton, teamed up to bring to life the characters in the 2019 film Ugly Dolls. Following the story of imperfect toys who travel to the town of Perfection in the hopes of becoming good enough for children to take them, Ugly Dolls sends the important message of self-love and being unique. On the soundtrack, Brazilian pop star Anitta sends that exact message with her empowering song “Ugly (Fea).”
Miguel feat. Natalia Lafourcade, “Remember Me”
Movie: Coco
Winner of the best animated feature at the 2018 Oscars, Coco’s star-studded soundtrack includes Miguel and Natalia Lafourcade’s “Remember Me,” the theme song to the Día de Muertos-inspired Disney movie.
Carlos Rivera, “Recuerdame”
Movie: Coco
The Mexican singer-songwriter’s Spanish version of “Remember Me” is a nostalgic ballad that perfectly captures the essence of the 2017 film centered around Miguel’s dreams of becoming a musician. His wild journey takes him to the colorful Land of the Dead where he reunites with family members to give him his blessing of becoming a performer.
Shakira, “Try Everything”
Movie: Zootopia
Giving life to Zootopia’s Gazelle, the Colombian superstar also gifted us the heartwarming track “Try Everything,” included in the Disney animated movie. The kid-friendly thriller set in “the urban jungle” of a city of animals hit theaters March 2016 where we saw Shakira shake her hips and encourage all of us with lyrics like I won’t give up, no, I won’t give in ’til I reach the end and then I’ll start again. No, I won’t leave, I wanna try everything”
Jennifer Lopez, “Feel The Light”
Movie: Home
In 2015, Jennifer Lopez and Rihanna joined forces for the DreamWorks Animation-produced film Home. Telling the moving and adorable story of the alien race Boov, Rihanna takes on the leading role of teenage girl Gratuity “Tip” Tucci as Lopez portrays her mother, Lucy Tucci. For the film, Lopez also dropped the song and video “Feel The Light,” where she’s seen wearing a number of space outfits as she dances with her alien buddies.
Ricky Martin, “No Importa la Distancia”
Movie: Hercules
The 1997 animated film’s soundtrack included a Spanish version of Michael Bolton’s “Go the Distance” sang by Ricky Martin. Hercules tells the story of the son of Zeus and Hera who is stripped of immortality and must prove he’s a true hero in order to reclaim it. In the song, Martin sings “one day, I will get there. No matter the distance, I will find my path.”
Luis Miguel, “Sueña”
Movie: The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Giving us a message of hope, faith and perseverance, Luis Miguel’s song for the 1996 film about a bell-ringer who is trying to gain his independence from his master and along the way, help his gypsy friend Esmeralda. “Dream of a tomorrow. Dream of a new world, it will come. Have faith, it is possible, if you are sure of it.”
