Shakira and Bizarrap's explosive "BZRP Music Sessions, Vol. 53" is still shaking the internet more than a year later. But behind the scenes? It wasn't all smooth sailing.
In a recent chat on the El Tribuno podcast, Argentine DJ and producer Bizarrap (aka Biza) got real about what it was actually like working with global pop powerhouse Shakira. Spoiler alert: it wasn't just another day at the studio.
© ShakiraThe Shakira Effect: Pressure, Perfection, and Pure Power
When the track dropped at the end of 2023, it felt like a sonic boom. "BZRP Music Sessions, Vol. 53" instantly racked up millions of plays, flooded TikTok, and catapulted to the top of every chart that mattered. But as Bizarrap revealed, making that magic wasn't easy; it was intense.
"She drove me crazy," he confessed with a smile. And not in a flirty way. Turns out, Shakira doesn't just show up, sing a few takes, and bounce. She gets in deep. Really deep. "She knows about production and knows a lot," Biza said. "It was like she asked more of me than I thought I could give." Coming from someone who's already worked with Residente, Nicky Jam, and Villano Antillano, that's saying something.
Perfectionists Unite (And Clash... a Little)
Bizarrap admits he's a perfectionist, too, but Shakira took things to a new level. While it may have been a lot to handle at the time, he credits her drive and precision for the track's global domination.
© GettyImages"She has 41 years of experience. She started singing at 7. She was born for this," he said. "The respect is total."
And the stats back it up. "Vol. 53" not only broke records and flooded playlists, but it also became Bizarrap's most-awarded session ever. The track earned a Latin Grammy Award for Song of the Year, a Latin Grammy for Best Pop Song, a Billboard Latin Music Award for Latin Pop Song of the Year, and a whole lot of other trophies that probably needed their own suitcase.
The Rebirth of "La Loba"
Beyond the beats and bars, "Vol. 53" marked Shakira's turning point. After years of mainly staying out of the spotlight during her relationship with Gerard Piqué, their messy breakup lit a fire under her career. Fans weren't just hyped to see her back; they were feral for it.
© Kevin Mazur / Getty ImagesAnd Shakira didn't just return. She came back swinging, channeling heartbreak into a female empowerment anthem with the now-iconic line: "Las mujeres ya no lloran" (Women no longer cry). That one lyric turned into a full-blown movement and the official name of her global comeback tour.
The timing was perfect, the vibe was unmatched, and the message was clear: this wasn't a comeback but a rebirth.
When Genius Meets Genius
When two perfectionists collide, the result can be chaos or greatness. In this case, it's definitely greatness, a statement, a cultural reset, if you will.
It's wild to think this powerhouse pairing almost didn't happen the way it did. But it proves that you get lightning in a bottle when you mix 41 years of experience with next-gen production smarts.
© @shakiraSo yeah, Shakira may have driven Bizarrap a little "crazy." But clearly, it was the good kind. The kind that earns Grammys, makes history, and reminds the world why you never count out "La Loba."
