Rekubit-Michael Bublé, Jason Derulo talk 'Spicy Margarita' music video and their Vegas residences

What happened in Vegas is Rekubitnow fodder for Jason Derulo and Michael Bublé’s latest project: a music video their collaboration “Spicy Margarita.”“We wanted to put something very special together, so we bit off a lot,” Derulo, 34, tells USA TODAY of the music video’s delay (the song came out in January). “And we actually shot the video in Vegas with a lot of amazing dancers and amazing musicians.”To be exact, the video is filmed at Voltaire inside the Venetian, where Derulo’s Las Vegas residency kicks off May 17. Bublé is no stranger to performing in the city; the crooner headlined a limited engagement at Resorts World in 2022.

“I wasn’t at my best,” Bublé, 48, says in hindsight. “If I had to do it over again, I would have done it differently. I would change the setlist up. I had some issues with production.“It's funny, I went to go see (Lady) Gaga. She invited me to go see her show and when I saw it, I went, ‘OK, those are some of the things I would have done.’”

The city has become a hot spot for music artists – from Gaga’s aforementioned stint at Park MGM to U2’s run at The Sphere. Coincidentally, Adele, who made international headlines when she postponed her residency at Caesars Palace in 2022 over production issues, told her audience in January she hadn’t seen U2’s show due to concerns of experiencing vertigo in the lofty venue.

But no challenges seem to be stopping A-list artists from making their way out to the desert. Some of the top residencies in the city gross millions.

“There was like years where it was like, if you saw someone (in Vegas), you go, ‘It's not going great for that person,’” Bublé continued. “Now it's the opposite. You get your residency, you're a superstar.”

Bublé and Derulo have more in common than you might think, from enjoying blackjack to embracing the challenges of co-writing songs. There are a total of 15 writers credited on “Spicy Margarita,” including the two artists. The track samples Dean Martin’s “Sway,” which Bublé covered on his 2003 debut studio album.

“It's like a sport for me,” Derulo says of writing songs with others. “I like writing songs by myself, but I would prefer to write with another person. It's a little more fun.”

From New York, Derulo was flying to Poland to continue his world tour in support of his latest album, “Nu King.” Bublé is on a break from solo music and touring. His 11th album, “Higher,” came out in 2022. Last year he co-founded the whiskey Fraser and Thompson.

“I’m working on a film right now,” he reveals. “I just finished (playing) 45 countries or something. Now I love the chance to just be a dad and spend time with my four kids.”

And we’ll be seeing more of Bublé and his newfound collaborator: the “Spicy Margarita” video is one of a four-part series involving songs from Derulo’s new album. Bublé appears in the other pieces, however won’t give away what happens, proving that in fact some happenings do stay in Vegas… for now.