Hubbry Logo
RompeRompeMain
Open search
Rompe
Community hub
Rompe
logo
7 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Rompe
Rompe
Rompe
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia
"Rompe"
Single by Daddy Yankee
from the album Barrio Fino en Directo
ReleasedSeptember 30, 2005
Recorded2005
GenreReggaeton
Length3:10
Label
Songwriters
Producers
Daddy Yankee singles chronology
"Tu Príncipe"
(2005) 		"Rompe"
(2005) 		"Gangsta Zone"
(2005)

"Rompe" (English: "Break It") is a song recorded by Puerto Rican rapper Daddy Yankee. The song held the number one spot on Billboard's Hot Latin Tracks chart for over three months and reached a peak position of number 24 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart of the same publication, showcasing an evident trend among Latin songs having great cross-over appeal among the mainstream American market (since Shakira and Alejandro Sanz's "La Tortura" entered the top 20 on the same chart). The music video was in heavy rotation on MTV becoming one of the few reggaeton videos to do so reaching the position number 10 of Billboard MTV Video Monitor in 2006.[1]

Remix

[edit]

A remix of "Rompe" has been released that features G-Unit members Lloyd Banks and Young Buck. It was nominated for "Best Latin/Reggaeton Track" at the 22nd Annual International Dance Music Awards in 2007, which was ultimately won by Shakira and Wyclef Jean with their number one single "Hips Don't Lie".[2][3]

Chart performance

[edit]

Weekly charts

[edit]
Chart (2005–2006) Peak
position[4]
German Singles Chart[5] 64
Peru Top 100 3
US Billboard Hot 100[6] 24
US Hot Latin Songs (Billboard)[7] 1
US Latin Urban Top 30 (Radio & Records)[8] 1
US Tropical Top 30 (Radio & Records)[8] 1
US Rap Airplay (Billboard)[9] 16
US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs (Billboard)[10] 89
US Pop Airplay (Billboard)[11] 19
US Rhythmic Airplay (Billboard)[12] 13
Venezuela (National-Report)[13] 9

Year-end charts

[edit]
Chart (2006) Position
US Billboard Hot 100[14] 74
US Hot Latin Songs (Billboard)[15] 3

All-time charts

[edit]
Chart (2021) Position
US Hot Latin Songs (Billboard)[16] 38

Certifications and sales

[edit]
Region Certification Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)[17]
Mastertone 		Platinum 1,000,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Rompe

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
"Rompe" is a song by Puerto Rican rapper , released on September 30, 2005, as the lead single from his live album en Directo.[] The track, translating to "Break It" in English, encourages energetic dancing in clubs and became a defining hit in the genre.[] The song achieved massive commercial success, topping the Hot Latin Songs chart for 15 weeks beginning in late 2005, marking Daddy Yankee's first number-one hit on that tally.[] It also crossed over to the mainstream, peaking at number 24 on the and number 89 on the chart.[][] Produced by , DJ Urba, and Sammy "Fish" Fisher, "Rompe" features a dembow rhythm typical of , paired with Daddy Yankee's rapid-fire Spanish lyrics and calls to "rompe, rompe" to get the crowd moving.[] "Rompe" solidified Daddy Yankee's global breakthrough following his earlier hit "Gasolina," contributing to the mainstream rise of reggaeton in the mid-2000s.[] A remix featuring American rappers Lloyd Banks and Young Buck from G-Unit was released in 2006, expanding its appeal to hip-hop audiences.[] The song's music video, directed by Jessy Terrero, depicts high-energy performances and street scenes in Puerto Rico, further amplifying its cultural impact.[] Certified Platinum by the RIAA in the US, "Rompe" had amassed over 430 million streams on Spotify as of 2025, underscoring its enduring popularity in Latin music.[][]

Background and release

Development and recording

"Rompe" was written by , professionally known as , and , and produced by Monserrate & DJ Urba and Sammy Fisher in 2005 during sessions for the live album Barrio Fino en Directo. The track emerged as part of 's effort to build on the momentum from his breakthrough album , incorporating new material to complement the live performances captured during the tour. Monserrate & DJ Urba and Sammy Fisher, prominent producers known for their work in the genre, collaborated with to craft a sound that blended studio precision with the raw energy of live shows. The recording took place in , where the production team emphasized capturing the vibrant, live energy essential to reggaeton's club atmosphere. Daddy Yankee specifically aimed to develop a high-energy track that could follow the massive success of his earlier hit "," seeking to maintain the genre's explosive appeal for audiences. Sessions focused on infusing the song with an immediate, infectious vibe suitable for dance floors, drawing from the island's rich urban music scene to ensure authenticity and immediacy. Key production techniques included the use of the signature dembow rhythm, deep synth basslines, and layered percussion elements, all designed to highlight the "rompe" or "break it" central to the song's theme. These choices created a pulsating backdrop that encouraged listeners to engage physically with the music, amplifying its party-ready quality. played a hands-on role in refining , iterating on and delivery to maximize its in clubs and ensure it stuck in listeners' minds during repeated plays.

Single release

"Rompe" was released as the from Daddy Yankee's live album Barrio Fino en Directo, which served as a live follow-up to his breakthrough studio album , on September 30, 2005. The track was distributed by in association with Universal Music Latino. The single was offered in multiple formats, including digital download, , and promotional radio edits designed for . The initial promotional efforts focused on Latin radio stations and club DJs to generate buzz within the community. In international markets, the single saw releases in early 2006, with promotional CDs and vinyl editions targeted at European audiences. Promotion also incorporated live performances during Daddy Yankee's ongoing World Tour and at festivals, helping to integrate the song into his live repertoire and heighten anticipation for the album.

Composition and lyrics

Musical structure

"Rompe" is classified as a track, characterized by its prominent rhythm at a of 88 beats per minute and a total length of 3:09. The song is composed in the key of , which contributes to its intense and energetic mood suitable for high-energy club environments. Written by and , the musical structure adheres to a standard verse-chorus format, opening with an introductory synth hook that sets the rhythmic foundation, followed by alternating verses and choruses, and culminating in a bridge that highlights call-and-response patterns to engage audiences on floors. This arrangement keeps the track concise and propulsive, emphasizing repetition for immediate impact. Instrumentation relies heavily on the core riddim—a syncopated percussion pattern derived from influences—augmented by electronic synthesizers for melodic accents, pronounced bass drops to drive momentum, and an overall minimalistic production style that foregrounds the beat's groove over complex harmonic or melodic development. Produced by Monserrate, DJ Urba, and Sammy Fisher, the sound design prioritizes danceability and crowd interaction, with the dembow rhythm tying directly to the ' instructions for physical movement in one fluid, party-centric expression.

Themes and content

"Rompe" features lyrics entirely in Spanish that revolve around exhorting dancers in a club environment to "rompe," translating to "break it" or "tear it up," through vigorous and uninhibited movements such as perreo, the signature grinding dance style of reggaeton. The verses and chorus emphasize readiness and action, with lines like "Los capos están ready / Las mamis están ready" setting a scene of collective excitement among partygoers, while instructions such as "Dale, go! Dale, go!" push listeners to engage fully in the moment. Central themes encompass party culture, where the nightlife pulses with energy and communal revelry, seduction achieved via provocative dance, and empowerment within reggaeton's vibrant social scene, portraying women as confident performers who command attention with their "curvas más calientes" (hotter curves). The repetitive chorus—"Rompe, rompe, rompe, bien guilla'o"—functions as an infectious chant, amplifying the call to abandon inhibitions and embrace the raw intensity of the dance floor. Drawing from Puerto Rican street and club culture, the song celebrates unapologetic enjoyment and the thrill of urban nightlife without pursuing a complex storyline, instead prioritizing immediate sensory experiences like movement and attraction. It incorporates and integral to vernacular, including terms like "bien guilla'o" (extremely wild or crazy) to describe frenzied dancing, "pum-pum" as for the hips or in motion, and playful disses such as comparing rivals to "" to underscore the narrator's dominance, all instructing specific, bold dance expressions.

Commercial performance

Chart performance

"Rompe" debuted on the chart at number 45 in October 2005, steadily climbing to the top spot by December 10, 2005, where it held the number 1 position for 15 consecutive weeks spanning late 2005 and early 2006. The track remained on the chart for a total of 47 weeks, demonstrating its enduring popularity within the market. On the all-format , "Rompe" reached a peak of number 24 in April 2006 and charted for 12 weeks overall, becoming one of the highest-charting songs on the ranking at the time. The featuring , , and contributed to its crossover success by broadening its appeal beyond Latin audiences. In year-end tallies, the song placed at number 3 on the 2006 chart and number 74 on the . As of 2025, it ranks number 34 on Billboard's Top of the chart. The single also performed strongly on genre-specific U.S. charts, peaking at number 3 on the Latin Rhythm Airplay chart (formerly known as Latin Urban Top 30) and number 1 on the Tropical Songs chart for 11 weeks.
Chart (2005–2006)Peak PositionWeeks at No. 1Total Weeks on Chart
Billboard Hot Latin Songs (U.S.)11547
(U.S.)24—12
Latin Rhythm Airplay (U.S.)3——
Tropical Songs (U.S.)111—

Certifications and sales

"Rompe" received a from the (RIAA) for its Mastertone () version on June 14, 2006, recognizing 1,000,000 units. The song's Mastertone version, popular during the early boom, sold 1.6 million units by mid-2007, establishing it as one of ' top-selling ringtones at the time. In the streaming era, "Rompe" has amassed over 430 million streams on as of November 2025, reflecting its enduring popularity in markets. This success built on its initial chart dominance, which helped drive digital and sales during reggaeton's rise in the mid-2000s. The track's performance underscored the era's impact on Latin urban music, where mobile downloads significantly boosted accessibility and revenue in regions like the and .

Remix

Production and features

The remix of "Rompe" was created in 2005 as a collaborative effort between and G-Unit members and , designed to fuse with East Coast hip-hop for crossover appeal to the mainstream U.S. audience amid the rising influence of and his crew. Produced by and DJ Urba, the track builds directly on the original song's structure while incorporating new rap verses from the featured artists to enhance its hip-hop edge. Key changes include the addition of English-language rap sections by and , complementing Daddy Yankee's Spanish lyrics for a bilingual dynamic, along with intensified beats that amplify the original's energetic rhythm. The remix extends the runtime to 3:29, allowing space for the new verses and instrumental builds.

Release and reception

The remix of "Rompe," featuring contributions from G-Unit members and , was included on Daddy Yankee's live album Barrio Fino en Directo, released on December 13, 2005, and later issued as a digital single on February 28, 2006. The track received promotion through heavy rotation on , including a revised version of its tailored for the network, as well as airplay on urban radio stations such as Power 106 in . In terms of reception, the song "Rompe" earned a nomination for Best Latin/Reggaeton Track at the 2007 International Dance Music Awards, recognizing its dancefloor appeal, with the remix contributing to its prominence. Critics praised its crossover potential, highlighting how the fusion of rhythms with East Coast hip-hop verses from Banks and Buck created an energetic bridge between Latin urban music and mainstream rap. However, some observers critiqued the collaboration for potentially diluting reggaeton's cultural purity in pursuit of broader appeal, with industry figures noting that such high-profile hip-hop features did not necessarily elevate the genre's authenticity or longevity. The remix's chart impact was notable in rhythmic formats, contributing to airplay on Billboard's Latin Rhythm Airplay chart, where "Rompe" spent 27 weeks on the chart through 2006, including time at No. 1. This exposure helped boost the original track's visibility, propelling it to a peak of No. 24 on the Billboard Hot 100. Media coverage emphasized the remix's role in bridging Latin and hip-hop worlds, with features in outlets like Vibe magazine positioning it as a key example of successful genre-blending collaborations from the mid-2000s.

Music video

Production

The music video for "Rompe" was directed by Carlos Pérez and in 2005. has described the project as his entry point into the genre, facilitated through a professional connection with that led to a direct phone call with . The production was handled by Meredith Welsch, with editing completed by Steve Rees under the production companies Elastic People and Lotus Filmworks. The video's visuals were shaped by the song's energetic perreo theme, emphasizing dynamic in gritty urban settings.

Content and release

The music video for "Rompe" is set in a junkyard, where performs the track surrounded by abandoned cars, capturing an urban, gritty aesthetic. Intercut scenes showcase women smashing objects with high energy and breakdancers executing dynamic moves, visually interpreting the song's titular command to "break it." These elements highlight urban fashion elements like and emphasize raw, explosive action over polished production. Lacking a linear storyline, the video focuses on performance-driven sequences and high-energy action to evoke the song's infectious party atmosphere, encouraging viewers to join in the rhythmic "rompe" motions. The standard edit premiered in the United States in December 2005 and garnered substantial rotation on , contributing to its visibility in mainstream outlets. It earned a nomination for Best Hip-Hop Video at the . A variant for the remix version incorporates cameos from G-Unit affiliates and , integrating their verses into the visual narrative.

Critical reception and legacy

Critical response

Upon its 2005 release, "Rompe" garnered praise from critics for its high-energy dembow rhythm and ability to energize dance floors. The New York Times characterized it as "a pulsing dance track embroidered with Yankee’s trademark staccato rhyming," emphasizing its rapid ascent on Latin charts as a testament to Daddy Yankee's commanding presence in reggaeton. In a contemporary album review, Sputnikmusic described the track as featuring a salsa core, though it ultimately deemed the song "decent at best" amid promotional efforts. The song's received a nomination for Best Hip-Hop Video at the , underscoring its visual and rhythmic impact in breaking into mainstream award circuits. Despite this recognition, "Rompe" did not earn major Grammy nominations, though its chart dominance—topping the for 15 weeks—solidified its status as an early 2000s benchmark. In 2020s retrospectives, reviewers have highlighted "Rompe"'s enduring influence on the genre's evolution toward global accessibility. placed it at No. 28 on its 2022 list of the 100 Greatest Songs of All Time, lauding the track with a "pounding " and "catchy 'Rompe, rompe, rompe' hook" that exemplified simplicity while driving crossover success. The similarly celebrated it in a career as a "fire-in-the-belly banger for serious perreo enthusiasts," crediting the song with accelerating Daddy Yankee's worldwide breakthrough and 's mainstream integration.

Cultural impact

"Rompe" significantly contributed to 's mainstream breakthrough in the mid-2000s, building on the momentum of Daddy Yankee's earlier hit and solidifying his position as the "King of ." The track's infectious rhythm and dance-oriented lyrics captured the energy of Latino , propelling the toward broader international acceptance and influencing subsequent artists in the movement. As a high-energy anthem, "Rompe" inspired widespread dance challenges throughout Latin America, particularly emphasizing the perreo style—a close-contact, grinding dance synonymous with reggaeton parties. Its pulsating beat ignited dance floors and popularized perreo beyond Puerto Rico, fostering a vibrant club scene that extended the genre's cultural footprint across the region. The song's legacy persists through its influence on later music, having been interpolated in at least three notable tracks by 2025, including Burak Kut's "Komple" (2007), and Daddy Yankee's "Pikete" (2012), and and Daddy Yankee's "PANTIES Y BRASIERES" (2023). It has also appeared in popular media, such as the TV series , where it underscored high-energy party scenes. On a global scale, "Rompe" helped internationalize perreo dancing and played a key role in reggaeton's explosive growth during the , serving as a foundational track that bridged underground roots with mainstream appeal. The song experienced viral revivals on from 2023 to 2025, introducing its rhythms to new generations and reaffirming its enduring cultural relevance.

References

  1. https://genius.com/Daddy-yankee-rompe-lyrics/q/release-date
  2. https://www.definitions.net/definition/rompe
  3. https://www.billboard.com/artist/daddy-yankee/chart-history/htl/
  4. https://www.forbes.com/sites/garysuarez/2018/02/27/daddy-yankee-dura/
  5. https://genius.com/Daddy-yankee-rompe-lyrics/q/producer
  6. https://www.billboard.com/lists/bad-bunny-number-1-top-latin-artists-21st-century-chart/
  7. https://genius.com/Daddy-yankee-rompe-remix-lyrics/q/release-date
  8. https://imvdb.com/video/daddy-yankee/rompe
  9. https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Daddy+Yankee&ti=Rompe&format=Single&type=
  10. https://kworb.net/spotify/track/4Xtlw8oXkIOvzV7crUBKeZ.html
  11. https://www.discogs.com/release/4737109-Daddy-Yankee-Rompe
  12. https://www.discogs.com/artist/256399-Daddy-Yankee
  13. https://www.allmusic.com/album/barrio-fino-en-directo-mw0000264557
  14. https://open.spotify.com/track/4Xtlw8oXkIOvzV7crUBKeZ
  15. https://www.discogs.com/release/13335509-Daddy-Yankee-Rompe
  16. https://www.discogs.com/release/10308527-Daddy-Yankee-Rompe
  17. https://www.thehistoryofworldmusic.com/biography-daddy-yankee/
  18. https://songbpm.com/%40daddy-yankee/rompe
  19. https://www.musixmatch.com/lyrics/Daddy-Yankee/Rompe
  20. https://genius.com/Daddy-yankee-rompe-lyrics/q/writer
  21. https://www.whosampled.com/Daddy-Yankee/Rompe/
  22. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-fd95Tzq2U
  23. https://genius.com/Daddy-yankee-rompe-lyrics
  24. https://www.billboard.com/pro/hot-latin-songs-chart-30th-anniversary-longest-number-1-enrique-iglesias/
  25. https://www.billboard.com/artist/daddy-yankee/
  26. https://www.billboard.com/lists/top-hot-latin-songs-of-21st-century-chart-10-biggest-hits/
  27. https://www.billboard.com/pro/in-honor-of-hispanic-heritage-the-20-top-tropical-songs-of-all-time/
  28. https://www.royaltyexchange.com/blog/this-daddy-yankee-platinum-certified-hit-is-an-investors-top-pick
  29. https://www.riaa.com/gold-platinum/?tab_active=default-award&ar=Daddy+Yankee&ti=Rompe
  30. https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Music/Billboard/00s/2007/BB-2007-05-19.pdf
  31. https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/pauls-temperature-rises-to-the-top-59002/
  32. https://www.ukmix.org/forum/chart-discussion/chart-analysis/35101-gold-platinum-and-multiplatinum-selling-ringtones
  33. https://remezcla.com/lists/music/hip-hop-reggaeton-collabs/
  34. https://genius.com/Daddy-yankee-rompe-remix-lyrics
  35. https://www.discogs.com/master/212939-Daddy-Yankee-Rompe
  36. https://music.apple.com/us/album/barrio-fino-en-directo-bonus-track-version/1444064458
  37. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhGtPC5nJKo
  38. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-apr-16-ca-reggaeton16-story.html
  39. https://www.vibe.com/lists/top-25-latin-hip-hop-collaborations-worst-to-best/
  40. https://www.billboard.com/charts/latin-rhythm-airplay/2006-05-13/
  41. https://www.billboard.com/pro/daddy-yankee-biggest-latin-airplay-hits/
  42. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8220198/
  43. https://www.gq.com.mx/entretenimiento/articulo/jessy-terrero-entrevista-dominicano-realizador-videos-musicales
  44. https://grammy.com/news/songbook-celebrating-daddy-yankee-three-decades-reggaeton-reign-farewell-tour
  45. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8220198/releaseinfo/
  46. https://www.billboard.com/music/latin/despacito-vma-snub-media-latin-blind-spot-7934291/
  47. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIPV6lDUALA
  48. https://www.nytimes.com/2006/02/05/magazine/the-king-of-reggaeton.html
  49. https://www.sputnikmusic.com/review/5779/Daddy-Yankee-Barrio-Fino-En-Directo/
  50. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8220198/awards/
  51. https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-lists/best-reggaeton-songs-1234579826/
  52. https://www.grammy.com/news/songbook-celebrating-daddy-yankee-three-decades-reggaeton-reign-farewell-tour/
  53. https://www.grammy.com/news/songbook-celebrating-daddy-yankee-three-decades-reggaeton-reign-farewell-tour
  54. https://genius.com/Daddy-yankee-rompe-sample
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.