Oh, did you want more Shakira? Then here you go.
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[3.67]
Will Adams: The problem with casting Shakira as your hook singer is that you end up squeezing out all of her personality in favor of bland, vague uplift. To the song’s credit, it’s as if it realizes this midway and starts giving her more to do. By the end, it’s her song, much to the relief of a strained Black M.
[4]
Thomas Inskeep: Black M’s first verse sounds a little stiff, but he loosens up on verses two and three. I really fancy the combo of highlife guitar licks and reggaeton rhythm. Shakira, however, sounds a little bored, and that feeling bleeds into the listening experience.
[5]
Cassy Gress: Man, the worst duets are the ones with no chemistry. Shakira phoned this in from a closet or something, and Black M’s got a lot of energy but sounds like he might be singing this to his real-life ex, rather than his singing partner.
[3]
Micha Cavaseno: I don’t even like Shakira as much as most people. But I certainly think she deserves better than to occupy the Hayley Williams/Bruno Mars spot on a Reggaeton-version of a B.o.B/Travie McCoy song. Black M, admittedly unfamiliar to me, does NOT have a vocal tone that’s forgiving to melody, and should have considered sticking with straight rapping by itself if he wanted this song to achieve its goals. Oh, also, I continue to hate 99% of times I ever have to hear rapping done around phrases in French.
[3]
Peter Ryan: Shakira’s spent more time on French charts than English-language U.S. ones over the past decade so as an idea this isn’t that surprising; as executed it’s a shrug. Someone who didn’t have to translate the French lyrics might find more meaning in the gulf between Shakira’s faux-consolations and Black M’s lingering bitterness, but I doubt you’d lose the sense that no one could ever really be bothered to care about this relationship in the first place.
[5]
Alfred Soto: As wan and useless as the Prince Royce collaboration also posted is committed and necessary. I can’t think an international audience exists for reggaeton with side of ice water.
[2]