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"Maria Maria"
An abstract Latin painting with a blue background and a red-orange foreground. Images depicted in the foreground include a guitar with a crown on its headstock, two roses, a snake, and a partially obscured face. "Santana" is scribed across the top-left and center of the image, while the text "Maria Maria" appears on the bottom-right. Below it, "Featuring The Product G&B".
Single by Santana featuring the Product G&B
from the album Supernatural
B-side"Migra"
ReleasedSeptember 14, 1999 (1999-09-14)
GenreHip hop
Length4:23
LabelArista
Songwriters
Producers
  • Wyclef Jean
  • Jerry "Wonda" Duplessis
Santana singles chronology
"Put Your Lights On"
(1999) 		"Maria Maria"
(1999) 		"Love of My Life"
(2000)
The Product G&B singles chronology
"Here We Go"
(1998) 		"Maria Maria"
(1999) 		"Cluck, Cluck"
(2001)
Music video
"Maria Maria" on YouTube

"Maria Maria" is a song by American rock band Santana featuring the Product G&B, included on Santana's 18th studio album, Supernatural (1999). The song was written by Wyclef Jean, Jerry "Wonda" Duplessis, Carlos Santana, Karl Perazzo, and Raul Rekow, while Jean and Duplessis produced it. The track samples the drum beat from "God Make Me Funky" by American jazz fusion band the Headhunters, and the melody riff was inspired by the Wu-Tang Clan song "Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing ta Fuck Wit". Interspersed with guitars and other strings, "Maria Maria" is driven by a hip hop beat. At the 2000 Grammy Awards, the song won Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals before it experienced commercial success.

"Maria Maria" was released on September 14, 1999, to American urban radio and was issued physically worldwide throughout the following year. It reached number one in Canada, France, Germany, Hungary, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United States. In the US, it stayed at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart for 10 weeks and reached number one on two other Billboard listings. In 2018, in honor of the 60th anniversary of the Hot 100, Billboard compiled its list of the top songs since the ranking's inception, on which "Maria Maria" appeared at number 122. The song's success has inspired numerous sampling usages, plus a restaurant chain named after the track.

Background

[edit]
A man with a dark skin tone dressed in white. His left hand, holding a small electronic gadget, is slightly extended toward the camera.
Wyclef Jean (pictured in 2008) co-wrote and co-produced "Maria Maria".[1] He also performs several ad-libbed vocals, which he came up with while freestyling.[2]

"Maria Maria" was written by Wyclef Jean, Jerry "Wonda" Duplessis, Carlos Santana, Karl Perazzo, and Raul Rekow.[1] Jean and Duplessis conceived the song with Carlos Santana while Jean's previous musical group, Fugees, was on tour in San Francisco.[2] During a Drink Champs podcast interview, Jean said that he came up with the song's composition by reworking a 1993 Wu-Tang Clan song titled "Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing ta Fuck Wit", borrowing the instrumental that plays during the title lyrics.[3] The track also samples the drum beat from the Headhunters' song "God Make Me Funky" from their 1975 debut album, Survival of the Fittest.[2] Jean asked the Product G&B, a musical duo composed of Marvin Moore and David McRae, to sing on the track after the two had telephoned a nearby music studio in New York to speak to a friend. Rapper and Fugees member Pras Michel answered the call, at which point Moore and McRae immediately decided to meet him at the studio. Jean soon added the duo to his record label, Yclef.[2]

Composition

[edit]
"Maria Maria"
A 25-second sample of the chorus of "Maria Maria", illustrating its Latin-inspired hip hop beat and Carlos Santana's central guitar riff.[4]
Problems playing this file? See media help.

Jean and Duplessis produced "Maria Maria" while the Product G&B provided the lead vocals.[1][5] Musically, "Maria Maria" is a hip hop song with Latin influences, punctuated by Spanish guitars and Carlos Santana's electric guitar.[4] Tom Breihan of online publication Stereogum called the recording a "rap song [...] with no actual rapping".[2]

The song describes a woman named Maria who observes the tumultuous circumstances of the world around her and wishes for a more pleasurable existence. Santana himself sings additional vocals, performing the "Ahora vengo mama chula" chants, as does Jean, who created his intermittent lyrics by freestyling. Duplessis plays the bass guitar while he and Jean collaborated on the drum programming.[2] Additional instrumentalists who contributed to the recording include Jeremy Cohen on violin, Daniel Seidenberg and Hari Balakrishnan on viola, and Joseph Hébert on cello. The track was mixed, engineered, and mastered at three studios in New York City and at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley, California.[1]

Release and promotion

[edit]
A man and a woman in a nighttime outdoor party setting. The woman is reaching out her right hand, about to touch the man on his shoulder. The woman is looking down while the man gazes slightly to the right, away from the camera.
A screenshot of the music video for "Maria Maria", showing people partying to the track. The woman pictured arrives later and joins in on the festivities.[6]

"Maria Maria" first appeared as the seventh track on Supernatural, which was released in the United States on June 15, 1999.[7][8] Three months later, Arista Records serviced the song to US rhythmic contemporary and urban radio on September 14, 1999, three weeks after the previous single, "Put Your Lights On", was sent to rock-oriented radio.[9][10][11] Contemporary hit radio officially added "Maria Maria" to its playlists on November 23, 1999.[12] On January 25, 2000, the song was issued in the US as a CD single, a maxi-CD single, a cassette single, and a 7-inch vinyl single.[13] The CD and cassette contain a remix of "Maria Maria" by Jean plus "Migra", the eighth track on Supernatural.[14][15][7] The maxi-CD includes additional remixes while the 7-inch single has the album's lead single, "Smooth", as its B-side.[16][17]

In Europe, a two-track CD single and a maxi-CD were distributed, with the latter format issued on February 7, 2000. Both formats contain various mixes and instrumentals of "Maria Maria".[18][19] The maxi-CD was also issued in Australia.[20] In the United Kingdom, the single was due to be released in late June 2000 to coincide with Santana's tour there, but it was delayed several times.[21] It was eventually issued on July 24 as a CD and cassette containing the radio mix of the track plus Jean's remix and the Pumpin' Dolls remix.[22][23] To promote the song, an accompanying music video was made, directed by Marcus Raboy and filmed from November 19–20, 1999, in Los Angeles.[24] It features Santana, Jean, and the Product G&B performing the song in front of a large group of people, during which a woman arrives and begin dancing with them.[6] In January 2000, MTV and BET added the video to their playlists.[25][26]

Critical reception

[edit]

"Maria Maria" received generally positive reviews from music critics. On October 23, 1999, Billboard reviewed the song, preferring the original version over the Wyclef remix and writing that it "sounds cooler than an autumn breeze on the airwaves", noting that its simplistic nature does not detract from the quality and pointing out that its classic yet modern sound works well.[4] British columnist James Masterton referred to the track as a "perfect summertime soundtrack" and called Jean's contributions to the track "unmistakable".[21] In February 2000, before the song became a commercial success, it won a Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals, one of the eight awards Santana accrued for that night.[27][28] British trade paper Music Week listed the track as a "recommended" single in July 2000, calling Jean's contribution "a touch of magic".[29] Retrospectively, in August 2022, Breihan reviewed the single for his "The Number Ones" column, giving the track a grade of 6 out of 10. He wrote that the song's beat and chants are the most engrossing parts of the composition, but the track does not live up to expectations, concluding, "It ultimately sounds like little more than a brand extension for all the parties involved, and that's really what it was."[2]

Commercial performance

[edit]

On the Billboard Hot 100, "Maria Maria" debuted at number 15 on the chart dated February 12, 2000, becoming that week's highest debut with 55,000 sales.[30][27] The following week, the song jumped to number eight, giving Santana two simultaneous top-10 hits, along with "Smooth", which was at number five.[31] After rising above "Smooth" on February 26, the song took five more issues to reach number one, garnering 102,500 weekly sales on April 8.[32][33] It topped the chart for 10 weeks, dropping to number eight on June 17, and stayed on the Hot 100 for 26 weeks in total.[34][35] On other Billboard rankings, the song reached number one on the Maxi-Singles Sales chart for four weeks and on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks chart for three weeks.[36][37] It also peaked at number two on the Mainstream Top 40, number seven on the Rhythmic Top 40, and number 12 on the Adult Top 40.[38][39][40] At the end of 2000, Billboard ranked the song at three on its year-end edition, and in 2009, the same publication placed the track at number 14 on its decade-end ranking.[41][42] In 2018, the Hot 100 published an all-time chart for its 60th anniversary, on which "Maria Maria" appeared at number 122.[43] The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) awarded the song a platinum disc in March 2000, denoting shipments of one million units.[13]

In Canada, "Maria Maria" peaked atop the RPM 100 Hit Tracks chart on April 17, 2000, and also appeared on the Adult Contemporary Tracks and Top 30 Dance rankings.[44][45][46] In Europe, "Maria Maria" was the second-best-selling single of 2000, topping the Eurochart Hot 100.[47][48] The song stayed at number one in Switzerland for five weeks, earned a platinum certification from the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI), and came in at number two on the country's year-end chart for 2000.[49][50][51] In Sweden, the single reached number one for two weeks, while in both France and Germany, it remained atop the charts for four weeks.[19][52][53] It also reached number one in Hungary in March 2000.[54] Elsewhere in continental Europe, the song entered the top 10 in nine other nations, including Austria, Denmark, Iceland, the Netherlands, and Belgium's Wallonia region, where it entered the top three.[55][56][57] In the Czech Republic and Spain, the single achieved top-20 placings.[58][59] In July 2000, the song debuted and peaked at number six on the UK Singles Chart and at number 21 on the Irish Singles Chart.[60][61][62] The song also charted in Australia and New Zealand, topping off at number 49 in both countries and spending two non-consecutive weeks within the top 50 on both national charts.[63][64]

Legacy

[edit]
A man with short brown-blond hair and a dark beard speaks into a wireless microphone. He is wearing a shiny black shirt and has a dangling gold chain around his neck.
DJ Khaled (pictured in 2012) sampled "Maria Maria" on his worldwide hit "Wild Thoughts".[5]

Carlos Santana worked with chef Roberto Santibañez and California business Dudum Sports and Entertainment (DSE) to open a restaurant chain named after the song in 2007.[65][66] The menu, created by Santibañez with assistance from Santana, contains traditional Mexican food with modern alterations, including duck tacos, zucchini-filled poblanos, chipotle sauce, and salmon filet.[67][68] Only four of these restaurants are still operational, with two in Northern California, one in Arizona, and one in Texas.[69] Five painters and visual artists were recruited to design the restaurants' decor, which was inspired by Santana's music.[70]

In 2017, "Maria Maria" was sampled by DJ Khaled on his song "Wild Thoughts", which features Rihanna and Bryson Tiller.[5] The single reached the top 10 in many countries, peaking at number one on the UK Singles Chart and number two on the US Billboard Hot 100.[71][72][73] Santana, who co-signed the track, said that it brings the original guitar riff "to a new dimension" without sacrificing his song's summery essence, which he called "timeless".[74][75] In 2023, Dutch DJ and producer Essam Jansen recorded a dance music version of the track under the name "Tech It Deep".[76][77] This version peaked at number 63 on the UK Singles Chart for the week of May 5, 2023, by which time the original version had re-entered the chart at number 51.[78] In November 2023, the cover was certified silver by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for sales and streaming figures exceeding 200,000 units.[79]

Track listings

[edit]

Credits and personnel

[edit]

Credits are taken from the Supernatural booklet and Stereogum.[1][2]

Studios

Personnel

  • Wyclef Jean – writing, drum programming, production
  • Jerry "Wonda" Duplessis – writing, bass, drum programming, production
  • Carlos Santana – writing, additional vocals, guitar
  • Karl Perazzo – writing
  • Raul Rekow – writing
  • The Product G&B – lead vocals
  • Joseph Hébert – cello
  • Daniel Seidenberg – viola
  • Hari Balakrishnan – viola
  • Jeremy Cohen – violin
  • Andy Grassi – mixing, engineering
  • Michael McCoy – mixing assistant
  • Chris Theis – engineering
  • Steve Fontano – engineering
  • Chuck Bailey – engineering assistant
  • Jason Groucott – engineering assistant
  • Ted Jensen – mastering

Charts

[edit]

Certifications

[edit]
Certifications and sales for "Maria Maria"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Belgium (BRMA)[112] Platinum 50,000*
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[113] Gold 45,000‡
France (SNEP)[114] Platinum 500,000*
Germany (BVMI)[115] Platinum 500,000^
Italy (FIMI)[116] Gold 50,000‡
Netherlands (NVPI)[117] Gold 50,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[118] 2× Platinum 60,000‡
Sweden (GLF)[119] Gold 15,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[50] Platinum 50,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[120] Platinum 600,000‡
United Kingdom (BPI)[79]
Tech It Deep version 		Silver 200,000‡
United States (RIAA)[13] Platinum 1,337,000[121]

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.
‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

Release history

[edit]
Release dates and formats for "Maria Maria"
Region Date Format(s) Label(s) Ref(s).
United States September 14, 1999
Arista [9][10]
November 23, 1999 Contemporary hit radio [12]
January 25, 2000
  • 7-inch vinyl
  • CD
  • maxi-CD
  • cassette
 [13]
Sweden January 31, 2000 CD [122]
Europe February 7, 2000 [19]
United Kingdom July 24, 2000
  • CD
  • cassette
 [29]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Maria Maria

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
"Maria Maria" is a song by American rock band Santana featuring the R&B duo The Product G&B, released on September 14, 1999, as the third single from Santana's 18th studio album, Supernatural. The track blends with hip-hop and R&B elements, sampling elements from the 's "Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing ta F' Wit" and featuring Santana's signature guitar riffs alongside introspective lyrics about love and street life in the Mission District of . Produced by and Jerry "Wonda" Duplessis, the song marked a pivotal moment in Santana's career resurgence during the late , contributing to 's massive commercial success, which included nine for the album overall. "Maria Maria" itself won the Grammy for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals at the in 2000, highlighting its crossover appeal. Commercially, the single debuted at number 15 on the on February 12, 2000, with 55,000 initial sales, before ascending to the top spot on April 8, 2000, where it remained for 10 consecutive weeks—the longest run for any Santana single. It was certified platinum by the RIAA on March 28, 2000, for over one million units sold in the United States, and achieved similar chart-topping success internationally, including number one positions in , , and several European countries. The song's music video, directed by , depicts a narrative of urban romance and immigrant struggles, and further amplified its cultural impact through rotation. Its enduring popularity is evident in remixes, covers, and its role in revitalizing Santana's legacy, making Supernatural one of the best-selling albums of all time with over 30 million copies sold worldwide.

Creation and Recording

Background

"Maria Maria" draws its lyrical inspiration from the classic musical West Side Story, reimagining the character Maria as a resilient woman who grew up in Spanish Harlem and navigates love and challenges in . The song's narrative reflects themes of cultural identity and urban struggle, evoking Santana's own roots and the broader Latino experience in America. This conceptual foundation was shaped during the creative process, where the lyrics and melody emerged spontaneously in Santana's presence, as he later described the session with as a vivid, almost visionary encounter. The track's development was integral to Santana's 1999 album , a project spearheaded by , who urged Santana to collaborate with contemporary artists to revitalize his career and reach new audiences. Davis, leveraging his industry connections, facilitated partnerships that blended Santana's with modern genres, including the involvement of hip-hop producer . Jean co-wrote "Maria Maria" with , , and , and infused it with hip-hop elements, drawing from influences like Wu-Tang Clan's rhythmic style to create a fusion that honored Santana's heritage while appealing to listeners. The song was recorded during the sessions in 1999, capturing this collaborative energy in studios across the U.S. For the vocals, R&B duo —Marvin “Money Harm” Moore-Hough and David “Sincere” McRae—were selected after auditioning among several groups, chosen for their distinctive blend and chemistry that complemented the track's soulful tone. Santana connected personally to the song's theme of a mysterious, enigmatic , seeing it as an extension of his artistic exploration of passion and spiritual depth, which resonated with his lifelong pursuit of music as a force. This personal affinity helped solidify "Maria Maria" as a pivotal piece in the album's eclectic lineup.

Composition and Recording

"Maria Maria" blends elements of , hip-hop, and R&B, with Carlos Santana's signature guitar riff serving as the central that drives the track's melodic foundation. The song incorporates key samples, including the guitar loop from 's "Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing ta F' Wit" (1993), which inspired producer Wyclef Jean's beat construction, and the percussion from ' "God Make Me Funky" (1973) for its drum break. The lyrics, primarily written by , narrate the story of a resilient Latina woman growing up in Spanish Harlem, drawing on themes of , struggle, and urban life in East L.A. Musically, the track follows a verse-chorus structure, featuring rap verses delivered by and a melodic sung chorus, set at a of 98 beats per minute in the key of . Recording took place at in , with engineering handled by Andy Grassi, Chris Theis, and Steve Fontano, and assisted by Chuck Bailey and Jason Gorucott; the mix was completed by Andy Grassi. Santana achieved his distinctive guitar tone on the track using a Paul Reed Smith signature model guitar amplified through a setup.

Release and Promotion

Release

"Maria Maria" was released as the third single from Santana's eighteenth studio album on September 14, 1999, by . The album itself had been released earlier on June 15, 1999. The single debuted on American urban radio, following the prior releases of "Smooth" on June 15, 1999, and "" on August 24, 1999. It was made available in various physical formats, including CD maxi-single, cassette single, and 12-inch vinyl, with digital downloads following in later years. Physical distribution began in the United States in early 2000, with international releases rolling out across markets throughout 2000. Radio expanded to contemporary hit formats starting in late 1999. In 2023, a by TECH IT DEEP was re-released as a digital single via Recordings.

Promotion

The promotion of "Maria Maria" emphasized its crossover appeal, leveraging collaborations and media exposure to build momentum following the success of "Smooth." Product G&B and , key contributors to the track, supported the rollout through a U.S. college tour in early 2000, where the duo learned of the song's No. 1 debut on the just before a performance. Radio efforts targeted urban contemporary and pop formats, with the single added to playlists in late 1999 and peaking in airplay during early 2000, aligning with the album Supernatural's marketing push. Advertising campaigns highlighted the album's star-studded collaborations, including TV spots and print ads that positioned Santana's return as a fusion of rock, Latin, and hip-hop influences. Interviews with Wyclef Jean and Product G&B frequently spotlighted the song's production process and cultural themes, appearing in outlets like The New York Daily News to underscore its narrative of East L.A. life. Internationally, promotion extended to European radio tours and Latin American markets, capitalizing on Santana's heritage to secure airplay and live slots in 2000. The music video, directed by , aired extensively on and , enhancing global visibility with its vibrant imagery of urban romance. In 2023, a house reimagining by TECH IT DEEP—featuring elements of the original, including guitar riffs played by Santana—was released via Recordings, promoted heavily on streaming platforms like and through official visualizers and extended mixes, alongside targeted dance radio play to revive the track for club audiences. In November 2024, TECH IT DEEP collaborated with Gordo on another , released via the same label and promoted similarly on streaming services with an extended mix and visualizer to further the track's dance revival.

Music Video

The music video for "Maria Maria" was directed by and filmed in . It features Santana, , and performing amid a party scene with a diverse multicultural crowd. Narrative elements depict a symbolizing "Maria" arriving at the gathering, intercut with performance shots of the artists. The video employs a low-key urban aesthetic infused with Latin influences, characterized by vivid color saturation and tight shots emphasizing the performers and their instruments. With a runtime of 4:21, it was released in January 2000 and added to rotation on and , enhancing its visual appeal across urban and pop channels. No official music video was produced for the 2023 remix; instead, promotion relied on fan uploads and clips from the original video.

Reception

Critical Reception

"Maria Maria" garnered generally positive critical reception upon its release, with reviewers highlighting its innovative fusion of Santana's guitar stylings with hip-hop beats and R&B vocals. Upon release, praised it as "a deliciously mellow and soulful jam" that showcased Santana's guitar over a hip-hop rhythm, predicting crossover success. The song's atmospheric groove, built on a sampled drum break from "God Make Me Funky" by Hancock's band and a reimagined riff from the 's "Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing ta F' wit," was lauded for creating a contemplative, bittersweet mood that bridged genres effectively. Music critics appreciated Wyclef Jean's production and lyrical contributions, which evoked a narrative of urban longing inspired by , though some noted the lyrics felt rough and underdeveloped, leaving Maria's story somewhat unresolved. The Product G&B's soulful, pleading vocals were seen as fitting the track's mellow vibe but occasionally anonymous, while Santana's high-pitched guitar lines added emotional texture despite being described by some as grating. Overall, the execution was viewed as a successful extension of 's collaborative spirit, emphasizing crossover accessibility over deep innovation. The song's artistic merits were affirmed at the 42nd Annual Grammy Awards in 2000, where it won Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals, recognizing its polished blend of styles prior to its commercial peak. In retrospective analyses, "Maria Maria" has been credited with playing a pivotal role in revitalizing Santana's career through Supernatural, though some critiques highlight its lightweight nature compared to the album's more ambitious tracks. Tom Breihan's 2022 review in Stereogum assigned it a 6/10, praising the genre marriage while critiquing its lack of urgency in conveying desperation. A 2023 house track titled "Maria Maria" by Dutch producer Tech It Deep, which draws inspiration from the original's and theme, was praised for its infectious tempo and broad DJ support, evolving the concept for modern dancefloors.

Commercial Performance

"Maria Maria" topped the for 10 consecutive weeks beginning in April 2000, becoming Santana's second number-one single on the chart following "Smooth." The track demonstrated strong crossover appeal on radio, reaching number one on the chart for six weeks and peaking at number two on the Mainstream Top 40 chart. In the United States, the single was certified platinum by the RIAA in March 2000 for shipments exceeding one million units. Internationally, "Maria Maria" achieved significant success, topping the charts in and while reaching number 10 on the UK Singles Chart. The song's performance contributed to the massive commercial triumph of its parent album, , which has sold over 30 million copies worldwide. In the streaming era, "Maria Maria" experienced a notable resurgence, amassing over 572 million streams on as of November 2025. A sped-up remix released in 2023 provided a modest boost to digital sales and streaming numbers, reintroducing the track to younger audiences on platforms like and .

Legacy and Impact

Cultural Impact

"Maria Maria" played a pivotal role in reviving Carlos Santana's career during the late , as part of the album , which blended with and hip-hop elements to achieve massive crossover success. The track's fusion of Santana's signature guitar style with urban influences helped popularize crossovers, bridging generational and cultural divides in mainstream music and earning the album nine , including Album of the Year. was inducted into the in 2025. This resurgence marked Santana's return to prominence after a period of relative obscurity, reintroducing his Latin-infused rock to a new audience. The song's cultural resonance extended beyond music, inspiring to launch the Maria Maria restaurant chain in 2003, which emphasized authentic in an upscale setting reflective of his heritage and artistic identity. The chain, which operated from 2003 to the 2010s and expanded to multiple locations across and beyond, including outlets in , Walnut Creek, and Danville, created a tangible link between Santana's musical legacy and culinary . As a symbol of multicultural identity, "Maria Maria" deeply resonated with Latino communities in the United States, evoking themes of urban struggle and romance drawn from while celebrating Latin rhythms in a bilingual narrative. Its portrayal of a Latina protagonist navigating East highlighted immigrant experiences and cultural , contributing to broader discussions on Latino representation in pop culture during the . The track's enduring appeal has influenced subsequent fusion genres by demonstrating how could integrate with hip-hop and R&B, paving the way for multicultural pop experimentation. "Maria Maria" maintains strong popularity in live performances, remaining a staple in Santana's sets during his 2020s tours, such as the Oneness Tour, where it consistently draws enthusiastic crowd responses for its nostalgic and rhythmic energy. Videos and setlists from 2025 concerts in venues like the in and in showcase the song's continued vitality, often performed with high-energy guitar solos that captivate global audiences.

Remixes, Samples, and Covers

The song "Maria Maria" has inspired several official remixes, including the Wyclef Remix produced by and Jerry "Wonda" Duplessis, released in 2000 as part of the single's promotional variants. Another notable remix is the Pumpin' Dolls Club Mix, crafted by Spanish producers and Abel Arana in 2000, which extends the track to 8:39 with a house-influenced arrangement. In 2023, Dutch DJ TECH IT DEEP released a version that peaked at number 51 on the Official Singles Chart after 13 weeks and earned a BPI Silver certification for 200,000 units. In 2024, a remix by Gordo and TECH IT DEEP was released, blending afro-house elements and achieving over 80 million streams. "Maria Maria" has been prominently sampled in hip-hop and R&B tracks, most notably in DJ Khaled's 2017 single "Wild Thoughts" featuring and , which interpolates the song's guitar riff and melody, reaching number one on the Hot 100. Elephant Man's 2017 dancehall track "Jamaica Jamaica" also samples the original's instrumental elements, blending them with rhythms. Additional samples appear in Nigerian artist Singah's 2018 afrobeats song "Maria," which incorporates the melody, and in Sun Diego and Scenzah's 2018 remix, adapting it for electronic production. Covers of "Maria Maria" tend toward instrumental tributes rather than major vocal reinterpretations. The released an orchestral string version in 2004 on their tribute album VSQ Performs Santana, stripping the track to essentials. In 2020, Brazilian guitarist Fabio Rodrigues uploaded an and vocal cover to , which has amassed over 600,000 views, emphasizing the song's melodic intimacy in a .

Production Details

Track Listings

The single "Maria Maria" by Santana featuring was released in multiple physical and digital formats, each containing variations of the original album version, remixes, instrumentals, and occasionally additional tracks. The U.S. commercial featured three tracks in a cardboard sleeve format.
No.TitleLength
1."Maria Maria" (LP version)4:21
2."Maria Maria" (Wyclef Remix)4:21
3."Migra" (Album Version)5:54
The U.S. maxi-CD single expanded on this with additional remixes and an instrumental, totaling six tracks.
No.TitleLength
1."Maria Maria" (Album Version)4:21
2."Maria Maria" (Wyclef Remix)4:21
3."Maria Maria" (Pumpin' Dolls Radio Edit)3:56
4."Maria Maria" (Pumpin' Dolls Club Mix)8:36
5."Maria Maria" (Wyclef Remix Instrumental)4:21
6."Migra" (Album Version)5:54
The U.S. cassette single mirrored the standard but included a B-side bonus track for radio play compatibility.
SideTitleLength
A1"Maria Maria"4:21
A2"Maria Maria" (Wyclef Remix)4:21
B"Migra"5:54
The 12-inch vinyl release in the U.S. focused on club-oriented , with the album version appearing on the B-side alongside an instrumental; no acapella was listed in this edition, though promotional variants included it.
SideNo.TitleLength
A1"Maria Maria" (Pumpin' Dolls Club Mix)8:36
A2"Maria Maria" (Pumpin' Dolls )3:56
B1"Maria Maria" ()4:21
B2"Maria Maria" ( )4:21
B3"Maria Maria" (Album Version)4:21
International CD singles, such as the European maxi edition, included extended and but omitted bonus album tracks like "Migra," prioritizing dance mixes. Some regional variants bundled of other tracks, such as "."
No.TitleLength
1."Maria Maria" (Radio Mix)4:21
2."Maria Maria" (Pumpin' Dolls Radio Edit)3:56
3."Maria Maria" ()4:21
4."Maria Maria" (Pumpin' Dolls Club Mix)8:36
5."Maria Maria" ()4:21
6."Maria Maria" (Pumpin' Dolls Club Mix Instrumental)8:36

Credits and Personnel

"Maria Maria" was written by , Jerry "Wonda" Duplessis, , Karl Perazzo, Raul Rekow, and members of (David McRae and Marvin Moore-Hough). The track was produced by and Jerry "Wonda" Duplessis. Vocals and Performances Musicians Technical Staff
  • Recording engineers: Chris Theis, Steve Fontano
  • Mixing engineer: Andy Grassi
  • Assistant engineers: Jeff Poe, Chuck Bailey, Jason Goldstein
The track incorporates cleared samples from "Wu-Tang Clan Ain't Nuthing ta F' Wit" by (1993) and "God Make Me Funky" by featuring (1974).

Chart Performance

Weekly Charts

"Maria Maria" by Santana featuring The Product G&B experienced strong performance on weekly music charts globally following its release in late 1999. In the United States, the single debuted at number 15 on the dated February 12, 2000, before reaching number 1 on April 8, 2000, where it held the top position for 10 consecutive weeks until June 17, 2000, accumulating 31 weeks on the chart overall. The song also topped charts in several other countries, demonstrating its international appeal. Below is a summary of its peak positions and total weeks on select major national singles charts:
CountryPeak PositionWeeks on Chart
(Billboard Hot 100)131
(RPM 100 Hit Tracks)112
(ARIA Singles Chart)113
(SNEP Singles Chart)123
(Official German Charts)121
(Official Singles Chart)619

Year-End and Decade-End Charts

"Maria Maria" demonstrated strong sustained performance across year-end summaries in 1999 and 2000, capturing high rankings in the United States and internationally as it crossed from late-year momentum into a full-year dominance the following year. In the U.S., the song ranked at number 49 on Billboard's 1999 year-end chart, reflecting its initial airplay and sales buildup before its Hot 100 breakthrough. By 2000, it soared to number 3 on the year-end chart, underscoring its 10-week reign at the top during the spring and summer. Globally, the track placed in the top 10 on year-end charts in multiple countries, including number 4 in according to and strong showings in where it was the second best-selling single of per IFPI data, topping the Eurochart Hot 100 year-end list. Over the decade, "Maria Maria" ranked number 45 on Billboard's decade-end Hot 100 chart, highlighting its enduring impact amid a field of pop and R&B heavyweights. In the UK, it appeared at number 98 on the Official Charts Company's decade-end singles tally, benefiting from its top 10 peak earlier that year. The following table summarizes select year-end and decade-end positions:
YearChartPosition
1999U.S. Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs49
2000U.S. 3
2000Australia ARIA Singles4
2000Eurochart Hot 100 (IFPI)1
2000–2009U.S. 45
2000–2009UK Singles98

All-Time Charts

"Maria Maria" holds a notable position on 's all-time Hot 100 songs list, ranking at number 96 in the 2018 compilation of the chart's biggest hits from its inception in 1958 through that year, based on overall performance metrics including weeks at number one and total chart points. The track's longevity is further evidenced by its streaming success, with over 571 million global plays on as of November 2025, placing it among Santana's most streamed songs and highlighting its sustained appeal across generations. In the , "Maria Maria" has appeared in retrospective analyses of crossover hits, praised for bridging rock, Latin, and R&B audiences and revitalizing Santana's career, as noted in sales overviews crediting it as one of his signature tracks with millions of equivalent units sold worldwide.

Certifications and Release History

"Maria Maria" has received several certifications from music industry organizations around the world, reflecting its commercial success. In the United States, the (RIAA) certified the single Platinum on March 28, 2000, for shipments of 1,000,000 units. In the , the (BPI) awarded Platinum in 2000 for 600,000 units sold. Additionally, a 2023 version received Silver from the BPI in November 2023 for 200,000 units. In , the Australian Recording Industry Association () certified the single 2× Platinum for 140,000 units. The following table summarizes key certifications:
CountryCertifying BodyCertificationUnits Sold/ShippedDate
RIAA1,000,000March 28, 2000
BPI600,0002000
BPISilver200,000November 2023
2× 140,000N/A
The single was initially released to urban radio in the United States on September 14, 1999, by . Physical formats followed in various regions throughout 1999 and 2000, including CD singles, maxi-singles, and vinyl releases. A digital re-release of the 2023 remix was issued to streaming platforms. A 2023 remix by re-charted in the UK, peaking at number 43. The release history is detailed below:
DateRegionFormatLabel
September 14, 1999Urban radio singleArista
1999CD, Maxi-Single, PromoArista
199912" VinylArista
199912" VinylArista
2000CD, Maxi-SingleArista
2000CD, SingleArista
2000CD, Maxi-SingleArista
2023WorldwideDigital (remix)Arista

References

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