"Mami" is a song recorded by Romanian singer Alexandra Stan for her fourth studio album of the same name (2018), independently released as its third single on 4 April 2018. It was written by Stan and Katie DiCicco, while production was handled by DiCicco and Simon Says. A trilingual recording, "Mami" explores femininity. An accompanying music video was filmed by Bogdan Păun of NGM Creative and was uploaded onto Stan's official YouTube channel on 14 February 2018. Inspired by Mexican culture, it portrays the machismo idealism of a Latina girl next door daydreaming of her love interest.

"Mami"
Shot of Stan with curled hair; the song's title is superimposed on her.
Single by Alexandra Stan
from the album Mami
Released4 April 2018 (2018-04-04)
Length3:32
LabelAlexandra Stan
Songwriter(s)
  • Alexandra Stan
  • Katie DiCicco
Producer(s)
  • Simon Says
Alexandra Stan singles chronology
"Miami"
(2018)
"Mami"
(2018)
"I Think I Love It"
(2019)

Background and lyrics

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"Mami" was written by Alexandra Stan and Katie DiCicco, while production was handled by DiCicco and Los Angeles-based record producer Simon Says. Serge Courtois was credited for mixing and mastering the track.[1][2] It was independently released as the third single from her fourth studio album of the same name (2018) on 4 April 2018 in Japan.[3] The song was written mostly in English, though a few lyrics are in French (C'est incroyable/C'est impossible) and Spanish. During the refrain, Stan repeats: "I love it when you call me Mami/I love it when you call me Mami/I love it when you call me Mami/'Cause you shake me like a Tsunami",[2][4] insinuating her desire to be viewed as a "mami".[5] Valentin Malfroy of French website Aficia found the singer's vocals to be sensualized.[4] Regarding the song's message, the singer said: "I am "Mami", I'm loving, I feel like the mother of all boys looking for attention and love, I feel fulfilled and happy with my femininity."[2][6] During a Q&A session on her website, Stan dedicated "Mami" to "all the amazing women who are strong and powerful, who don't forget to love themselves and to love the others[, and to] all the men who respect women in general [...]."[5]

Music video

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Well, when I say "Mami", my first thought is about a Latin woman. I wanted something colorful, caliente and I have to be honest that I really like Mexican food.

—Stan talking about choosing Mexico as an inspiration for the music video.[5]

An accompanying music video for the song was uploaded onto Stan's official YouTube channel on 14 February 2018.[7] It was filmed by Bogdan Păun from NGM Creative in Romania, while Alexandru Mureșan acted as the director of photography. Ovidiu Buță, Ely Adam, Alexandra Craescu and Claudiu Alex Sarghe were additionally hired for styling, assistance, make-up and hair styling, respectively. Stan's hair styling was inspired by her mother's youth.[8]

An editor of Antena 1 wrote that Stan portrays a "lovely and sensual" Latina cooking in the kitchen. The singer is then seen daydreaming of her "papi". The publication also pointed out the video's "color, sensual movements and [its] Latin atmosphere."[2][9] Jonathan Currinn of CelebMix pointed out elements of comedy in the video, writing: "Stan's mind wanders as she cooks food, imagining her lover appearing in the kitchen. Together, they knock out some dance moves and some provocative sexual scenes that become comedic when her mind drifts back to reality."[10] Stan described the music video as being inspired by Mexican culture, having coming up with the idea with her crew. She further explained that she wanted to showcase her love for cooking, as well as her desire to portray a girl next door. Malfroy of Aficia wrote that Stan played a femme fatale.[4] Prior to the release of the visual, Stan received backlash from her fans for gaining weight and allegedly having breast implants.[11]

Track listing

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  • Digital download[3]
  1. "Mami" – 3:32

Credits and personnel

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Credits adapted from Antena 1.[2]

Technical and composing credits

  • Alexandra Stan – lead vocals, composer
  • Katie DiCicco – composer
  • Serge Courtois – mixing and mastering
  • Simon Says – producer

Visual credits

  • Bogdan Păun – director
  • Alexandru Mureșan – director of photography
  • Ovidiu Buță – styling
  • Ely Adam – assistant
  • Alexandra Crăescu – make-up
  • Claudiu Alex Sarghe – hair styling

Release history

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Territory Date Format(s) Label
Japan[3] 4 April 2018 Digital download Alexandra Stan
Italy[12][13] 15 June 2018
CDF

References

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  1. ^ Mami (Liner notes/ CD booklet). Alexandra Stan. Yokohama, Japan: Victor Entertainment (Barcode: 4988002759323). 2018.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
  2. ^ a b c d e "Alexandra Stan a lansat "Mami", primul ei single din 2018!" [Alexandra Stan has released "Mami", her first single in 2018!] (in Romanian). Antena 1. 14 February 2018. Archived from the original on 18 February 2018. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  3. ^ a b c "Mami – Single by Alexandra Stan on iTunes". iTunes Store. Archived from the original on 16 April 2018. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
  4. ^ a b c Malfroy, Valentin (27 February 2018). "Clip " Mami ": Alexandra Stan succombe à la tentation. Et c'est piquant!" [Clip "Mami": Alexandra Stan succumbs to temptation. And it's hot!] (in French). Aficia. Archived from the original on 1 March 2018. Retrieved 28 February 2018.
  5. ^ a b c "Q&A "Mami"". Alexandra-Stan.com. Archived from the original on 23 February 2018. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  6. ^ "Alexandra Stan lanseaza "Mami" – videoclip" (in Romanian). Virgin Radio Romania. 14 February 2018. Archived from the original on 23 February 2018. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  7. ^ "Alexandra Stan – Mami (Official video)". YouTube. 14 February 2018. Archived from the original on 23 February 2018. Retrieved 23 February 2018. Note: Open description for credits.
  8. ^ "Interview with Alexandra Stan to UTV". YouTube. 25 January 2018. Archived from the original on 23 February 2018. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  9. ^ Chirilă, Raluca (15 February 2018). "Videoclip oficial: Alexandra Stan – Mami" (in Romanian). InfoMusic. Archived from the original on 23 February 2018. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  10. ^ Currinn, Jonathan (5 March 2018). "Discover: Alexandra Stan's Sexy New Song And Music Video "Mami"". CelebMix. Archived from the original on 10 March 2018. Retrieved 9 March 2018.
  11. ^ "Cum arata acum Alexandra Stan" [How Alexandra Stan looks now] (in Romanian). Știri de Cluj. Archived from the original on 23 February 2018. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  12. ^ "Mami – Single di Alexandra Stan su iTunes". iTunes Store. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  13. ^ "EarOne – Radio Date". Retrieved 30 December 2023.
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