“One of the Biggest Statements So Far”: Skatta on Karol G’s “BbY WOW” Global Success

“BbY WOW,” which samples the iconic “Coolie Dance Riddim,” gives the classic beat another major global moment. “This beat was different,” Burrell reflects on its enduring impact

Music producer Cordell "Skatta" Burrell

For years, music producer and industry figure Skatta Burrell has continued to reap the success of his iconic juggling, the Coolie Dance Riddim, as the 2003 production continues to find new life across international music.

The compilation, listed by Rolling Stone among the 25 Riddims That Shaped Jamaican Music, became one of dancehall’s biggest international crossovers, powering hits including Elephant Man’s “Jook Gal,” Mr. Vegas’ “Pull Up,” Bounty Killer’s “Yuh Gwan” and more. Its reach stretched even further through Pitbull’s Latin smash “Culo” and Nina Sky’s Billboard Hot 100 Top 10 hit “Move Ya Body,” which was later remixed featuring Vybz Kartel.

“The experience of witnessing multiple samples and remixes of the Coolie Dance Riddim is something I’ve been witnessing almost yearly since its release in 2003,” Burrell said, reflecting on the riddim’s longevity.

More than two decades later, Coolie Dance continues to move beyond dancehall floors and into the global mainstream. Beyoncé moved to its pulse during her 2023 Renaissance World Tour, while Kehlani sampled the riddim on her 2024 viral hit “After Hours.”

Its latest major moment comes through Colombian superstar Karol G, alongside Spanish artistes Judeline and rusowsky, whose “BbY WOW” samples the riddim and climbed to No. 1 on both the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. charts. The song generated 42.3 million global streams from August 28 to September 3 and has surpassed 116 million streams on Spotify.

“This ‘BbY WOW’ hit is by far one of the biggest statements so far, and especially being a Spanish-language song, it seems to be captivating the world due to its infectious melodies and the dynamics and groove from the Coolie Dance beat,” Burrell shared. “No words can explain the gratitude and reassurance I get just knowing I created music that is definitely timeless.”

Latin superstar Karol G gives the classic beat another major global moment.

For Burrell, the riddim’s continued global success also validates the creative instincts behind a beat that sounded different from much of what surrounded it at the time.

“I’ve always known this beat was different and out of the norm, and it reminds me that trying to fit in is never the way to achieving greatness,” he said. “What matters most is the way music makes you feel, and its main purpose is to evoke emotions and movement.”

While Burrell admits he never predicted just how far Coolie Dance would travel, he always believed there was more to come from the production.

“I’ve always known this beat was different and out of the norm, and it reminds me that trying to fit in is never the way to achieving greatness. What matters most is the way music makes you feel, and its main purpose is to evoke emotions and movement.”

“This global impact was never forecasted. However, I’ve always had that confident assurance inside that there’s always more to come from this Coolie Dance Riddim,” he added.