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Undoubtedly, Shakira was one of the most anticipated panelists at Billboard Latin Week, an event taking place this week from October 2nd to 6th alongside important events like the Billboard Latin Music Awards. The Barranquilla native participated in the prestigious event last Wednesday, which brought together other great figures of Latin music such as Peso Pluma, Feid, Nicki Nicole, Young Miko, and Carín León, among others.

In the «Hits Don’t Lie: The Superstar Q&A with Shakira» session, the superstar addressed various questions that we all had about her projects, her creative dimension, and the recent changes in her life during this intense past year.

Her move from Barcelona to Miami

Shakira confessed that her relocation to Florida has significantly improved things for her, both professionally and personally:

«Being in Barcelona was practically being alone. There is no active music industry there. Every time I had an idea, I had to wait until the producer was in Europe and felt like coming to Barcelona. Everything was very slow, and many ideas were left in limbo. I couldn’t execute many of my plans. I think that’s why I also lacked motivation. Now, being here, close to so many colleagues, producers, musicians, and friends, is a great source of motivation.»

The BZRP Music Sessions Vol. 53

The artist has recalled that her team asked her to change the iconic collab with Bizarrap, but she remained steadfast in her conditions.

«My team told me I was crazy, that I should change the lyrics, that it couldn’t be released like that. And I, well, I’m not a United Nations diplomat; I’m an artist, I’m a woman, I’m a wounded wolf, and let everyone leave me alone.»

@billboard @Shakira opens up about a lyric she defended from her “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53” with @bzrp at #BillboardLatinWeek. 👏 Find more from her big Superstar Q&A on our profile. 🌟 #latinmusic #shakira #bzrp53 #bizarrap ♬ original sound – billboard

Female Fans’ Sisterhood

«It’s a gift to feel that I have so many sisters out there because I feel bonded with my female audience. I feel that there are so many women who have gone through what I have gone through… even those who have had worse or better experiences, but we have so much in common. I’m not alone. It’s beautiful, and I believe I also have an empowering role to make us women feel more free, more free to voice our opinions and express ourselves as we want, and I’m glad to be able to experience this moment and be a part of it.»

The Siren in «Copa Vacía»

Shakira has analyzed the role of the Siren in «Copa Vacía,» with Manuel Turizo, giving the song even more meaning.

«The Siren, based on my own experience, has been a bit out of her element. I’ve been away from my environment and ended up in a trash heap, surrounded by rats. In the end, we understand that the Siren does it all for love, that she has been kidnapped from her dreams for years and returns to the sea.

On her Songwriting

«It’s a catharsis. In composition, writing has always played a therapeutic role. I write the most when I’m at my worst. Life gives me a blow, and from this, I have learned a lot, and I feel stronger. I didn’t think I had so much vital energy to overcome certain stages of life. And it turns out that I was less fragile than I thought. My music has been my main survival tool.»

About the Expansion of Spanish-speaking Music

«Today, no one can tell audiences what artists they relate to or what language they listen to music in. Nobody. The people are in charge. Age doesn’t matter, the genre doesn’t matter, the condition doesn’t matter, the language doesn’t matter. What matters is that if an artist connects with their audience, through music. When I started with Laundry Service, there was a lot of interference, and for years I had to dodge and convince, and it was hard work. But all that has changed. Today, singing in Spanish is the coolest thing.»

@billboard @Shakira shares her thoughts on the importance of artist connection during her Superstar Q&A at #BillboardLatinWeek. 🌟 #shakira #latinmusic #miami ♬ original sound – billboard

Inspiration from her Children

The Colombian has clarified that her children are some of her advisors and sources of inspiration in the moves she makes during her career.

«Milán was the one who showed me Bizarrap’s music — when you do a song with Bizarrap, you go worldwide. He had already sent me a DM on [social media] that I hadn’t seen. But then he sent me a message on WhatsApp, and I tell Milán, ‘Look who’s texting me,’ he says, ‘Yes. The Argentine God.’ He has an impression, a good instinct. I listen to them [my kids] a lot. Every time I’m going to put something out, I tell them, ‘What do you think of this song?,’ to see what they imagine. With ‘Te Felicito,’ for example, the idea of the robot in the video was Sasha’s, and the idea of the fire was Milan’s.»

On her Recent Hit, «El Jefe,» with Fuerza Regida

The one from Barranquilla has recounted what it was like to record this regional Mexican hit alongside two of the most prominent composers in the scene.

«I loved working with Keityn and Edgar [Barrera]. I had a great time. They are great friends. We wanted to do a song that portrays the reality of many. Also, I wanted to do something of the regional Mexican genre, but to give it a touch of ska. If you notice, the song has a little bit of that sensibility. It could be Balkan or British music, but no, it’s all in a regional Mexican framework.»