Artists like All the Lovers

"California Gurls" is a song by American singer Katy Perry from her third studio album, Teenage Dream (2010). It was released as the album's lead single on May 7, 2010, through Capitol Records. The song features rap verses from Snoop Dogg. They both co-wrote "California Gurls" with Bonnie McKee and its producers Dr. Luke, Max Martin, and Benny Blanco. The track was recorded at Conway Recording Studios, based in Hollywood, Los Angeles. The song's mid-tempo production contains disco-pop, bubblegum pop and electropop. Its lyrics are an ode to the state of California, in which both Perry and Snoop Dogg were born and raised. According to Perry, "California Gurls" is an answer song to "Empire State of Mind" by Jay-Z and Alicia Keys.