"Don't Be Shy" is a song by Dutch DJ Tiësto and Colombian singer-songwriter Karol G. It was released on 12 August 2021 via Atlantic Records as the second single from Tiësto's seventh studio album Drive. It also marks Karol G's English language debut.
Critical reception Nancy Gomez of EDM Tunes wrote that the track "comes with an energizing and joyful vibe to bring the madness to the dancefloor or any virtual event."
Music video The music video was directed by Christian Breslauer, who filmed the music videos for "The Business", "Industry Baby" and "Streets". It starts with an outdoor shot of the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet at the Night, then followed up by the Night at the Museum-inspired music video, comedian Blake Webber plays a museum janitor, and Karol G dances with a group of dancers in different scenes in a museum.
Part two of the music video was released on 4 September 2021.
Controversies
Copyright lawsuit Karol G and Tiësto were sued by Cuban-American musician René Lorente, who claimed that their 2021 song "Don't Be Shy" infringed on the copyright of his 1998 track "Algo Diferente". Lorente alleged that both songs had significant similarities in melody, rhythm, harmony, and structure. According to the lawsuit filed in the District Court of Puerto Rico, Lorente sought $3 million in damages, citing mental anguish, humiliation and harm to his reputation.
In July 2025, a federal judge in Miami dismissed the lawsuit, ruling that Lorente's expert witness was unqualified, as their analysis was based on "instinct" rather than solid evidence. Additionally, the defendants denied having access to "Algo Diferente" and the judge determined there was insufficient evidence that Karol G or Tiësto knew of Lorente's song, a key requirement for proving copyright infringement.
Credits and personnel Credits adapted from Tidal.
Teemu Brunila – producer, keyboard, programming, writer Tiësto – producer, writer Dave Kutch – masterer Rob Kinelski – mixer Karol G – writer Jonas David Kröper – writer Yoshi Breen – writer
Charts
Weekly charts + Weekly chart performance for "Don't Be Shy" Chart (2021–2022) Peakposition Bolivia (Monitor Latino) 5 Brazil (Top 100 Airplay) 10 Chile (Monitor Latino) 14 Costa Rica (Monitor Latino) 19 Dominican Republic (Monitor Latino) 1 Ecuador (Monitor Latino) 11 El Salvador (Monitor Latino) 6 Germany Airplay (BVMI)49 Greece (IFPI)61 Honduras (Monitor Latino) 11 Italy (FIMI) 80 Lithuania (AGATA) 12 Luxembourg (ELDO) 9 Mexico (Billboard Mexican Airplay)1 New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ) 39 Panama (Monitor Latino) 8 Peru (Monitor Latino) 3 Romania (Airplay 100) 8 San Marino (SMRRTV Top 50) 43 Spain (PROMUSICAE) 58
Year-end charts + 2021 year-end chart performance for "Don't Be Shy" Chart (2021) Position CIS (TopHit) 44 Hungary (Dance Top 40) 52 Hungary (Rádiós Top 40) 87 Hungary (Single Top 40) 19 Hungary (Stream Top 40) 78 Netherlands (Dutch Top 40) 77 Poland (ZPAV) 56 Russia Airplay (TopHit) 41 US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard) 15 + 2022 year-end chart performance for "Don't Be Shy" Chart (2022) Position Croatia (HRT) 41 Global Excl. US (Billboard) 170 Hungary (Dance Top 40) 42 Hungary (Rádiós Top 40) 86 Hungary (Single Top 40) 73 Russia Airplay (TopHit) 41 Ukraine Airplay (TopHit) 17 US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs (Billboard) 35 + 2023 year-end chart performance for "Don't Be Shy" Chart (2023) Position Ukraine Airplay (TopHit) 71 + 2024 year-end chart performance for "Don't Be Shy" Chart (2024) Position Lithuania Airplay (TopHit) 124 + 2025 year-end chart performance for "Don't Be Shy" Chart (2025) Position Belarus Airplay (TopHit) 197 Hungary (Rádiós Top 40) 86 Lithuania Airplay (TopHit) 142
Certifications
Release history +Release history for "Don't Be Shy" Region Date Format Label Various 12 August 2021 Atlantic Russia 25 August 2021 Contemporary hit radio Sony Music Italy 27 August 2021 Warner
References