Music moves fast. Too fast. One day a track is everywhere, and the next it’s buried under a mountain of new uploads. But then you have Bazzi. Specifically, you have I Like That. Released in 2021, this track wasn’t just a flash in the pan; it was a vibe-heavy pivot for an artist who had already conquered the charts with "Mine" and "Beautiful." Honestly, if you listen to it today, it hits different. It’s got that weird, shimmering production that feels both nostalgic and futuristic.
Some people called it a comeback. Others just called it a summer bop.
Bazzi, whose real name is Andrew Bazzi, has this uncanny ability to make high-gloss pop feel incredibly intimate. With I Like That, he leaned into a specific kind of confidence. It isn’t about arrogance; it’s about that magnetic feeling when you’re into someone and the energy is just right. He’s a melody machine. You can hear the influence of 90s R&B, but it’s filtered through a Gen Z lens that prioritizes mood over complex structure. It works.
The Production Behind I Like That
Let’s talk about the sound. Pop music in the early 2020s was going through a bit of a crisis. Everything was either trying to be a 15-second TikTok clip or a depressing ballad. Bazzi went a different route. Working alongside Kevin White of Rice N' Peas—his long-time collaborator—he crafted something that felt elastic.
The bassline is thick. It’s got this funky, rhythmic bounce that stays out of the way of the vocals.
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If you strip the song down, it’s actually quite simple. That’s the magic trick. Bazzi uses space. He isn't afraid of a few seconds where the beat just breathes. Most producers try to fill every millisecond with noise because they’re scared of losing the listener’s attention. Bazzi trusts the hook. The "I like that, I like that" refrain is a textbook earworm. It’s repetitive without being annoying, which is a very fine line to walk.
Why the Visuals Mattered
The music video for I Like That was a whole thing. Directed by Christian Breslauer—the guy who has worked with everyone from Doja Cat to Lil Nas X—it was a colorful, stylized fever dream. It featured cameos from Bazzi’s actual friends, including stars like 24kGoldn and SAINt JHN. This wasn't just a marketing gimmick. It felt like a snapshot of his life at the time.
It was bright. It was loud. It was unapologetically fun.
The video reinforced the song's central theme: living in the moment. In a world that was just starting to open back up after years of lockdowns, that imagery struck a chord. People wanted to see parties. They wanted to see sunlight and expensive cars and genuine smiles. It wasn’t "relatable" in the sense that we all have private jets, but it was relatable in its desire for connection and celebration.
Where I Like That Fits in Bazzi’s Discography
To understand why I Like That matters, you have to look at where Bazzi was coming from. His debut album, Cosmic, was a massive success. "Mine" was a cultural reset for internet-driven pop. But after that, things got a bit heavy. He was open about his struggles with mental health and the pressures of sudden fame.
Then came the Infinite Dream era.
I Like That served as a bridge. It moved away from the dreamy, sometimes melancholic haze of his earlier work and stepped into a punchier, more self-assured territory. It proved he wasn't just the "Mine" guy. He was a songwriter who could evolve. He started experimenting more with his vocal range, sliding into those signature falsettos that make his tracks so recognizable.
The Lyrics: More Than Just a Catchy Hook
People often dismiss pop lyrics as shallow. Sometimes they are. But with I Like That, Bazzi is doing something specific with the narrative. He’s describing a specific type of modern romance—one that is fast-paced, digital-heavy, but still grounded in physical chemistry.
"I like that, I like that / The way you move your body, I like that."
It's simple, sure. But look at the verses. He mentions the lifestyle—the "Rodeo" drives and the "champagne on ice." It’s aspirational, but he delivers it with a wink. He knows it’s a bit much. That self-awareness is what separates Bazzi from the dozens of other artists trying to sound like him. He’s in on the joke.
He also explores the idea of being "bad for each other" but not caring. It’s a classic trope, yet he makes it feel fresh because the vocal delivery is so smooth. He isn't yelling for your attention. He’s whispering it in your ear.
Misconceptions About the Song’s Success
There is a common myth that I Like That was a "flop" compared to "Mine." That’s just statistically wrong. While it might not have reached the same peak on the Billboard Hot 100, its longevity on streaming platforms tells a different story. The song became a staple in "Vibe" and "Summer Hits" playlists. It’s a slow burn.
In the modern streaming era, a song’s value isn't just about its first week. It’s about whether people are still playing it two years later. And they are.
Another misconception? That it was just a "TikTok song." While the platform definitely helped—thanks to various dance challenges and aesthetic transitions—the song has a musicality that survives outside of a 15-second loop. You can listen to the whole three minutes and not get bored. That's rare nowadays.
The Technical Side of the Bazzi Sound
For the gearheads and aspiring producers, the vocal processing on I Like That is a masterclass. Bazzi’s voice is heavily layered. You’re rarely hearing just one vocal track. There are harmonies buried in the mix, panned hard left and right, creating a "wall of sound" effect that feels like a warm blanket.
He uses a lot of saturation. This gives his voice a slight grit, preventing it from sounding too "Disney pop."
The drums are crisp. The snare, in particular, has a lot of high-end snap. It cuts through the mix even if you’re listening on cheap earbuds. This is intentional. Most music is consumed on phone speakers or AirPods now, so the mix has to be optimized for those devices. Bazzi and his team know exactly how to make a track sound "expensive" regardless of the hardware.
Critical Reception and Cultural Impact
Critics were generally positive, though some were caught off guard by the shift in tone. Rolling Stone and Billboard noted his growth as a performer. They saw I Like That as a sign that Bazzi was becoming a more well-rounded artist. He wasn't just chasing the next viral moment; he was building a brand.
The song also solidified his place in the "L.A. Pop" scene. This is a specific niche of music that sounds like a sunset on the PCH. It’s glossy, it’s polished, and it feels like it belongs in a high-end clothing store. But Bazzi brings a soulfulness to it that his peers sometimes lack.
- Genre-blending: It isn't just pop; it's R&B, funk, and electronic.
- Collaborative spirit: The song benefited from a tight-knit creative team.
- Authenticity: Despite the polish, the lyrics feel like Bazzi's real voice.
How to Truly Appreciate I Like That Today
If you haven't revisited the track lately, do yourself a favor. Throw on some good headphones. Ignore the social media noise. I Like That is a reminder that pop music doesn't always have to be deep or revolutionary to be "good." Sometimes, it just needs to make you feel cool for three minutes.
It represents a moment in time when we were all looking for something light. Something to dance to. Something that didn't remind us of the news.
Bazzi has continued to release music, and his sound keeps shifting. But I Like That remains a high-water mark for his ability to write a perfect hook. It’s the kind of song that makes you want to drive with the windows down, even if you’re just going to the grocery store.
Actionable Insights for Music Lovers
To get the most out of Bazzi’s discography and tracks like I Like That, try these steps:
- Listen to the "Infinite Dream" album in order. It provides the full context for where his head was at during the release of this single.
- Watch the "I Like That" behind-the-scenes footage. It reveals a lot about the technical hurdles they faced while filming during a period of shifting regulations.
- Check out his live acoustic versions. Bazzi is a trained musician. Hearing him play this song on a piano or guitar proves that the songwriting is solid, even without the heavy production.
- Compare the track to 90s R&B legends. Listen to a little Ginuwine or Usher, then jump back to Bazzi. You’ll hear the DNA.
The song isn't just a relic of 2021. It’s a blueprint for how to do modern pop with heart. Bazzi took the standard "boy meets girl" story and dressed it up in neon lights and 808s. Whether you're a die-hard fan or a casual listener, you can't deny the craft. He knew what he was doing. He liked that, and honestly, so do we.