Shakira on Why It’s the ‘Perfect Moment’ for Bad Bunny to Headline Super Bowl, Wanting to Sing With Chappell Roan and Revisiting Classics for Spotify (EXCLUSIVE)

Three full decades have flown by since Shakira's third studio effort, "Pies Descalzos," was released in October 1995. This Spanish-language record, a masterful blend of pop, rock, Afro beats, Arabic melodies, and folk, represented a definitive career turning point. It signaled the arrival of an artist ready to reshape Latin music and hinted at her future as a global storyteller. A decade later, she continued to challenge conventions with her ambitious two-part "Fijación Oral" project. Following the worldwide success of her 2001 English-language debut "Laundry Service," Shakira delivered "Fijación Oral, Vol. 1" in Spanish and its English-language counterpart, "Oral Fixation, Vol. 2." Driven by her unmistakable vibrato, these albums firmly established her as one of her generation's most inventive and influential musicians.

In a recent interview with Variety, Shakira compared the making of these two pivotal works. She recalled that her memories of creating "Pies Descalzos" are far more vivid than those of the "Oral Fixation" era, describing the earlier album as a "before-and-after moment" that was recorded swiftly with a sense of creative freedom and little at stake. Conversely, she explained that the dual "Oral Fixation" albums, which produced global smashes like "La Tortura" and "Hips Don't Lie," were the result of a much longer and more exploratory process. "Even as early as 'Pies' I was including world genres like reggae, but by the time of 'Oral Fixation,' I was doing a lot more exploring and fusion," she reflected.

The commercial and critical triumph of "Fijación Oral, Vol. 1" was historic. It debuted at an impressive No. 4 on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart, setting a new record at the time for a full-length Spanish-language album. The record also claimed the top spot on charts in nations including Argentina, Germany, Mexico, and Spain. Its legacy was cemented at the seventh Latin Grammy Awards, where it secured the prestigious Album of the Year award. This made the then 29-year-old Shakira the first female artist ever to win the category—a groundbreaking achievement that underscored her crucial role in bringing Latin pop to a global audience. Industry analysts often cite this success as a key moment that helped create the fertile ground for the current international reign of artists like Bad Bunny and Rosalía.

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of "Pies Descalzos" and the 20th anniversary of the "Oral Fixation" series, Shakira has teamed up with Spotify to release reimagined versions of her classic songs. These new interpretations feature collaborations with Ed Sheeran, Colombian artist Beéle, and a 14-piece string ensemble. Shakira disclosed that she and Sheeran had been trading creative ideas for years, but the stars only recently aligned for a collaboration. "I really love what he does with just a guitar and how unique his vocal arranging is. I knew he would bring something fresh to 'Hips,'" she stated. Regarding Beéle, an artist from her hometown of Barranquilla, she expressed a desire to incorporate the "autochthonous phrasing and melody" of a new-generation talent from the city that her own music helped put on the international map.

Looking back at the creative impetus behind "Fijación Oral," Shakira sees an artist confidently pushing her own limits. She felt more daring and self-assured in both Spanish and English, characterizing it as one of the most prolific creative phases of her life. She also holds a special fondness for the album's deeper cuts, particularly "Dia Especial," a collaboration with the late Argentine rock legend Gustavo Cerati. "After all these years, I still draw inspiration from him—and his absence is still felt," she shared, acknowledging the impossibility of recreating that singular performance. Gustavo Cerati, the frontman of the legendary band Soda Stereo, is widely considered one of the most important and influential figures in the history of Latin American rock music.

Shakira attributes her lasting connection with her audience to a foundation of authenticity. She observed that listeners have an innate ability to detect what is real, and while being genuine doesn't guarantee commercial triumph, being inauthentic is a sure path to failure. "They can smell it a mile away, so you may as well just be honest, real, and hope it connects," she advised. As for her current artistic journey, she described it as "uncharted territory," explaining that the themes now inspiring her—her personal questions, fears, and sources of fulfillment—are completely different from what she had anticipated for this stage of her life, and she is excited to discover where this new creative direction will lead.

When asked which contemporary artist she would have liked to feature on "Oral Fixation," Shakira instantly named Chappell Roan for a version of "La Pared," lauding her incredible vocal talent and artistry. Speaking of her long-time collaborator Luis Fernando Ochoa, with whom she co-wrote numerous early hits, she was effusive, calling him "family" and a "songwriting soulmate." She noted that their shared neuroticism and sense of humor create a unique dynamic, allowing them to resume their creative partnership seamlessly even after long separations. Their studio sessions, she added, often descend into the "really ridiculous, in a good way."

Finally, Shakira expressed immense pride and excitement about Bad Bunny headlining the Super Bowl, six years after he joined her during her own Halftime performance. She recalled that even including a Spanish-language segment in her 2020 set was considered a bold and risky move at the time. "Acceptance of Spanish-language music as part of the mainstream has come so far from when I started," she noted. She expressed hope that the initial resistance her own music encountered in the English-speaking world helped pave the way for this historic moment. "I’m so proud that Bad Bunny, who represents not only Latin culture but also the global, universal importance of Spanish-language music, is getting to perform on the biggest stage in the world. It’s the perfect moment for a performance like this," she concluded, stating she cannot wait to watch it.