Former FC Barcelona Player Pique's Blunt Criticism
YouTube Views Surpass 63 Million Within 24 Hours of Release
[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyunjung] Colombian singer Shakira (45), known as the 'Queen of Latin Pop,' released a new song containing lyrics that disparage her ex-cohabiting boyfriend, Spanish professional footballer and former FC Barcelona player Gerard Piqu? (35), and his new girlfriend. The song, which caused a huge sensation even before its release due to leaked lyrics, set a new record for YouTube views by genre as soon as it was released.
According to the British public broadcaster BBC on the 13th (local time), Shakira's new song released the day before, 'BZRP Music Sessions #53,' surpassed 63 million views within 24 hours of its release, setting a new record in the Latin music category. The song was created in collaboration with Bizarrap, an Argentine music producer and DJ.
The reason this song grabbed people's attention is that the lyrics explicitly 'target' her ex-boyfriend Piqu? and his new 23-year-old girlfriend Clara Ch?a. Shakira and Piqu?, who acknowledged their relationship in 2011 and began living together, were a couple with exactly a 10-year age difference, sharing the same birthday. They had two sons, Milan and Sasha, born from their common-law relationship, and were considered one of the most iconic couples in the football world, comparable to the Beckhams, affectionately nicknamed 'Piquira' by combining their names.
Gerard Piqu? and Shakira celebrating together right after FC Barcelona secured the Spanish King's Cup victory in May 2015. [Photo by EPA Yonhap News]
The decisive reason for their breakup in June last year is reported to be Piqu?'s affair with a 22-year-old female university student of the same age group. In response, Shakira publicly disparaged them in her new song's lyrics, saying, "I am worth two 22-year-olds," "You gave me a Ferrari and kept a Twingo (a small car by French Renault)," and "You gave me a Rolex and kept a Casio." Not satisfied with just this, Shakira even mocked them by including Piqu? and Clara's names in the lyrics.
Shakira also conveyed her current situation and feelings through the song. She sang, "You left me while leaving your mother-in-law as my neighbor," and "The media is at my doorstep, and treasures are buried in debt," referring to the back taxes imposed on her by Spanish authorities last year. The Spanish prosecution indicted Shakira in December 2018 on charges of not paying 14.5 million euros (approximately 19.5 billion KRW) in income tax from 2012 to 2014, and the court decided to start a criminal trial in September last year. However, Shakira raised her voice, saying, "You may think you hurt me, but you made me stronger," and "Even if you beg while crying, I will not go back to you."
Upon hearing the news that her new song set a record, Shakira expressed her joy on Instagram, saying, "Who would have thought I would be number one in the world with a Spanish song at 45 years old." She added, "I want to embrace the millions of women rising up from those who belittle us," and said, "This achievement belongs not to me, but to everyone."
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