"Ni Rosas Ni Juguetes" () is a song recorded by Mexican recording artist Paulina Rubio for her ninth studio album Gran City Pop (2009). It was written by Claudia Brant, Noel Schajris and Gianmarco Zignago, and produced by Cachorro López. Due to popularity, the song was announced as the second single on July 20, 2009, released official worldwide on August 17, 2009 by Universal Music Latin Entertainment. "Ni Rosas Ni Juguetes" is a Latin pop song with ranchera and hip-hop influences. The song's lyrics discusses Rubio's decision to overcome a relationship and her empowerment.
The song received positive reviews from music critics who commended it for its production and lyrics, considering it as a feminist anthem. The song peaked at number one in Peru, and number three in Spain, certified platinum for 50,000 shipments. It performed successful in United States; it was a number ninth on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart. Universal Music released three alternate versions of "Ni Rosas Ni Juguetes"—a duet remix featuring American rapper Pitbull, a banda version with American singer Jenni Rivera, and a eurodance version with Spanish DJ and producer Juan Magán.
The first music video for the song was shot in New York, with a concept inspired by Hollywood film Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005), and was released in October 2009. The second music video is like a narrative sequel, features Rubio and Pitbull in a room performing and dancing to the song. It was released on December, 2009. Both music videos was directed by Jessy Terrero.
Background
In June 2009, Rubio released her ninth studio album Gran City Pop. Achieving positive reviews from music critics, the album was a commercial success, peaking inside the top ten of many countries the Latin America. In the United States, the album debuted at number forty four on the Billboard 200, with first-week sales of over 9,400 copies. The lead single, "Causa Y Efecto", was released two months prior, and reached number-one on the Billboard Hot Latin Tracks for five weeks. In Spain, it was certified platinum.
Rubio confirmed that "Ni Rosas Ni Juguetes" would be released as the second single at the 6th Annual Premios Juventud on July 16, 2009. Previously, a poll was added to Rubio' official website to choose the second single, involving ten other songs from Gran City Pop. "Ni Rosas Ni Juguetes" was ahead of the other songs. Rubio explained that the song "is a tribute that I offer to my beautiful Mexico, where it also reflects how we women are in love."
Critical reception
"Ni Rosas Ni Juguetes" received acclaimed reviews from most contemporary music critics. Phil Freeman from Allmusic highlighted the song as the most "surprising" and "high" of Gran City Pop, writing that "over a thunderous boom-bap beat, Rubio half-raps, half-sings about how flowers and toys won't earn her love; it's exactly the kind of culture-blending, boundary-dissolving sound that encapsulates modern Latin pop, and it's brilliant." Also, he said it could have been produced by Camilo Lara of Mexican Institute of Sound.
Chart performance
"Ni Rosas Ni Juguetes" debuted at number 41 on the Hot Latin Songs chart and peaked at number 9, becoming Rubio's second top ten hit from the album. On the Latin Pop Songs chart it peaked at number 5.
In Spain, it debuted at number 37 on the singles chart and peaked at number 3, becoming her first top five hit from Gran City Pop in Spain. The song has been certified Platinum for sales of 40,000 copies in Spain. The single became a huge hit in Spain, charting for more than 40 weeks.
Music videos
Original version
The accompanying music video for "Ni Rosas Ni Juguetes" was directed by Jessy Terrero, who is known for having previously collaborated with artists such as Puerto Rican reggaeton duo Wisin & Yandel and Carlos Santana among others, and was produced by John Nguyen. It was filmed in "a dream location overlooking the sea was used" on the outside in Bay Shore, New York, in August 26, 2009. The concept and video's story was inspired by Doug Liman's film Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005), with Rubio and her partner, played by Bulgarian model Dian Hristov, being secret agents. Los 40 website compared Rubio's spy and sensual version to a modern-day Mata Hari.