It was written by Latto, A1 LaFlare, Jaucquez Lowe, Randall Hammers, Theron Thomas, Dr. Luke, and Vaughn Oliver, with the latter two handling the production.
Following the release of the remix, "Big Energy" earned Latto her first top 10 hit on the US Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number three in April 2022.
[1] Released in September, "Big Energy" was first premiered at the 2021 MTV Video Music Awards, where Latto performed three songs in short segments throughout the show.
[6] Latto told Billboard that in the lyrics she took the "masculine, trendy 'big dick energy' quote" from social media and made it a concept that all genders can have and take it deeper than just a sexual aspect."
[7] Her A&R representatives first played her the beat during a studio session in Los Angeles, which she felt keen on but perceived it as musically different and "out of [her] comfort zone".
[14] Latto stated that the sample was a new sound for her that "might cause controversy", but felt confident that its catchiness would bring a new audience and wider fanbase to her career.
[15] Melinda Fakuade of Rolling Stone wrote about Latto experimenting with the pop sound, saying it is "a conscious attempt of a creative risk", and perceiving "Big Energy" as "hyper-curated for the TikTok generation".
[16] In Clash, Ana Lamond said that the "playful" single channels "colourful nostalgia with a lush, groovy finish," that welcomes a "pop-centric commercial appeal" on the album.
[17] Billboard's Rania Aniftos wrote that Latto put a "feminine, empowering spin" on the social media phrase for the "energetic" track.
[18] Jordan Bassett from NME wrote that the song is "a dumb, fun summer anthem wrapped up in a squelchy sample" that is "the feel-good highpoint" of the album.
[20] In a mixed review, Tom Breihan in Stereogum opined the single "hypercharged" the strategy of using nostalgic beats, and called it a "cynical and obvious hit-chasing attempt", further adding from its "glitzy video" to its "gleaming hooks" is "pure product".
[12] Pitchfork's Tyra Triche thought the song sounds "almost like a jingle", and felt unconvinced by the lyrics and the "bit dated" meme it references.
It marked the sixth song by a female artist to accomplish this, following Mariah Carey's "We Belong Together" (2005), Mary J. Blige's "Be Without You" (2005), Beyoncé's "Irreplaceable" (2006), Alicia Keys' "No One" (2007), and Rihanna's "Rude Boy" (2010).
[35] The video features a scene of Latto wearing a costume in the colors of a lady beetle, represented in the cover art for the single.
A remix of "Big Energy" with American singer-songwriter Mariah Carey featuring DJ Khaled was released on March 28, 2022, and was included on Latto's second studio album, 777 (2022).
The remix peaked at number six in Australia, where it became Latto's first top-ten hit, Carey's 18th, and Khaled's fifth; it was subsequently certified 3× platinum in the country.
However, Carey and DJ Khaled were not listed on "Big Energy" on the Hot 100, as the remix did not account for the majority of the song's overall consumption during the tracking week.
[96] In the United Kingdom, the remix peaked at number 21 on the UK Singles chart, becoming Latto's first top-40 hit there, as well as Khaled's eighth and Carey's 40th.