So says Columbian crooner Shakira, who will be seen matching steps with the Umbrella hitmaker Rihanna, in her new song, Can’t Remember To Forget You. Over an email interview, the 36-year-old apprises Ruchika Kher of her chemistry with Rihanna, returning to her roots and life after motherhood
Shakira
Shakira was catapulted to success with her hit single, Whenever, Wherever in 2002, and followed it up with tracks like Hips Don’t Lie and Waka Waka. While she is known for her scintillating Belly Dance moves, the singer has no qualms admitting that she learnt a step or two from the Barbadian songstress Rihanna, during the shooting for their new single — Can’t Remember To Forget You. The song is part of Shakira’s eponymous 10th studio album, slated to release later this year. Excerpts from an interview:
Shakira in a still from the music video of the song, Can’t Remember To Forget You
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Why did you decide to collaborate with Rihanna for this song?
This song is a mix of Rock and Reggae and has a very vintage feel at the same time. That is why I thought Rihanna would be perfect for it. Her voice in this song is just unreal because she is so good with Reggae. I don’t think I have ever heard a female deliver her lines in a Reggae song with such intensity. I am just over the moon that we did a
song together.
Was it easy to agree to one vision, as far as this song was concerned?
Rihanna is very Reggae and has immense intensity in her voice. The song needed that feel to it. The chemistry between us was so good. She taught me dance moves; she was a sweet teacher.
What are the inspirations behind this song?
I started out as a Rock chick, believe it or not, and I wanted to reveal that and wanted to get back to my roots completely. When you make a song, it is nerve-wrecking. It’s always the same feeling, the same butterflies in your stomach. You never know how your body or work’s going to be received and that’s what inspired this song.
You will release an album in March after a gap of more than four years. Why did you decide to take such a long break and what finally prompted you to return?
It took me a while to get to the point where I was completely happy about the album and every song in it. I always suffer through my creative process because it just takes time. It’s been hard to make an album with so many distractions, like having a baby in between and having to come back to America so many times to The Voice (reality show). I love music and I love proving myself with every new album that I can still do it. At the end of the day, I feel that I have an album that is exactly what I wanted to have.
Shakira and Rihanna on the poster of the song
Has motherhood changed you or impacted your music in any way?
It’s part of motherhood you know — juggling personal and professional life. You got to figure it out as you go. There are very important challenges as a mother that I’ve lived, but hey, it’s achieved!
What are your future plans?
There’s new music for this year and a new album for the next one. Being on The Voice has had some influence on me because when you are so exposed to music daily, you get more of a desire to be there with your own music. I’m ready and very soon I think I could share it with all of you.
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