With 72 million views on YouTube already under its belt, “Chicken Noodle Soup” (the song) dropped just two weeks ago and is absolutely soup-er!
This song by J-Hope and Becky G, with its quirky title, “Chicken Noodle Soup,” is actually a remake of the original hit song. The earlier version was written by Young B, Webstar, and Voice of Harlem, and was released in 2006. The iconic official video was also released three years after the song first dropped.
From there, the beautifully choreographed moves started the “Chicken Noodle Soup” dance trend. However, as all things do, the arm-flapping sensation cooled down over time. Now, it is back again, brought to life by the new, three-language cover of “Chicken Noodle Soup.” All around the world, the hip-hop version of the Chicken Dance moves back on the menu.
Now, let’s talk about the artists.
Many of you may not know this—unless you’re a fan, then don’t mind me—but J-Hope (the wild main dancer in the official video with baggy pants) is a member of the renowned Korean music group that goes by the name of BTS. What? You don’t know who BTS is? That’s okay, I didn’t know until only a few days ago. It’s made up of seven Korean dancers who became globally known and loved in 2013. Not only do the fans love them for the choreography in their music videos, fans stay fans for their beautiful, relatable lyrics. One of their most known songs is called “Fake Love”—I listened to it, and I love it!
Becky G is the singer featured alongside J-Hope in the music video. She is a Mexican-American actress, singer, and song-writer. An important fact about Becky G, noted many times, is that she was noticed by a producer when they saw her gorgeous covers of popular songs on YouTube before her rise to fame. Her rapping and singing parts in “Chicken Noodle Soup” were mostly in Spanish, as are many of her latest songs. The only qualm I have is that when her Spanish rapping starts to transition into English, it closes off with a hanging word that stays in the air, I think quite awkwardly, until her English singing part enters. However, the addition of Becky’s part added a third language to the already diverse song in every aspect, which also features a rapping part by J-Hope, done in a mix of Korean and English. The music video itself for the song also tastefully and respectfully combines cultures, featuring 50 dancers representing different countries, while paying homage to the song’s Harlem roots as well as the two artists’ cultural roots.
Hints were dropped about this song leading up to its release. Some fans knew exactly what the two meant from the beginning, when Becky G tweeted, “Soooo… #BeckyHasAnotherSecret” and BTS responded, “Hey @iambeckyg, I have a secret, too…??? #CNS”. Suspicious, no?
The tension was too much to bear for some fans. “Central Nervous System” was a phrase tossed around with the abbreviation “CNS.” Excitement amongst the fans reached a fever pitch. Thankfully, the duo premiered the song and sweet dance moves two days later.
All in all, the new “Chicken Noodle Soup,” with Korean rapping and Spanish lyrics, is a bop. It is an upgrade to the 2006-version of the song, at least that’s what I think. They added diversity in the verses, but let the chorus flourish in its quirky style.
Here is the official music video:
