Format Digital download Genre Hip hop
R&B | Recorded January 2014 (2014-01) Label Capitol | |
Released January 27, 2014 (2014-01-27) Length 3:58 (solo version)
4:40 (album version) | ||
"Girls" is a song recorded by American entertainer Jennifer Lopez for her eighth studio album, A.K.A. (2014). It features a guest rap from American rapper Tyga. The song was written and produced by the song's producer Dijon "DJ Mustard" McFarlane, with additional writing from Asia Bryant, and Lopez. Cory Rooney, Trevor Muzzy, and Bryant provided vocal production for the song. A solo version of "Girls" was released on January 27, 2014, as the first promotional single from A.K.A..
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Background and release
On January 20, 2014, American record producer DJ Mustard messaged Lopez on Twitter stating that he had "some bangers waiting for her". The following day, singer Asia Bryant revealed on Instagram that she had worked with Lopez in the studio. "Girls" was initially released online as a buzz single on January 22, 2014, making its premiere on SoundCloud. On January 27, 2014, the song was made available for purchase as a digital download in the United States. An official remix of the song featuring rapper Tyga was released online on March 1, 2014. "Girls" is included on the Japanese and Target edition of Lopez's eighth studio album, A.K.A..
Writing and production
"Girls" was written by Lopez and Bryant, with additional writing from DJ Mustard, who also handled production. The song runs for a duration of three minutes and fifty-eight seconds (3:58). "Girls" is a mid-tempo hip hop and R&B song that features a "laid-back" and "trunk-rattling" beat, in which Lopez declares "At the end of the night, girls just wanna have fun". Rap-Up described "Girls" as a "ladies anthem" while Vibe called it a "club banger". Jon Reyes of The Boombox regarded the song as having DJ Mustard's signature "ratchet" sound. ETonline's Jackie Willis compared the song's lyrics to Beyoncé's "Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)".
Reception
Jacques Peterson of the website Popdust called the song a "real bop", comparing it to Tyga's single "Rack City" (2011) and songs from Cassie Ventura's mixtape RockaByeBaby (2013), noting that "It's definitely the most urban thing Jen's done" since her remix album J to tha L-O! The Remixes (2002). Rap-Up, in response to "Girls", wrote: "Ladies, turn it all the way up." Robbie Daw of the musical website Idolator criticized the song's clichéd lyrics, but praised its "eerie synth track that plays monotonously throughout", describing the track as a "slinky, sexy slow jam" similar to Kelly Rowland's "Motivation" (2011). Brad O'Mance of Popjustice was negative when commenting on the song, calling it "largely mediocre".
Live performance
Lopez performed the song live for the first time at the 2014 Dubai World Cup.