El Jefe (song)

"El Jefe"
Single by Shakira and Fuerza Regida
from the album Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran
LanguageSpanish
English title"The Boss"
ReleasedSeptember 20, 2023 (2023-09-20)
Genre
Length2:50
LabelSony Music Latin
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
  • Shakira
  • Edgar Barrera
  • Keityn
Shakira singles chronology
"Copa Vacía"
(2023) 		"El Jefe"
(2023) 		"Puntería"
(2024)
Fuerza Regida singles chronology
"Qué Onda"
(2023) 		"El Jefe"
(2023) 		"Antídoto"
(2024)
Music video
"El Jefe" on YouTube

"El Jefe" (English: "The Boss") is a song by the Colombian singer Shakira and American band of regional Mexican music, Fuerza Regida. It was released on September 20, 2023, through Sony Music Latin as the fifth single from Shakira's twelfth studio album, Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran (2024).[1][2][3][4]

It is Shakira's first song that she performs in a regional Mexican genre,[5] and it is the first collaboration between both artists.

Background and release

[edit]

After Shakira's June release of "Copa Vacía" with Manuel Turizo, and Fuerza Regida's active 2023, the Colombian singer shared a preview of the video and her song in mid-September 2023, scheduled to be released on September 20 of that year.[6][7][8][9][10][11]

Reception

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Media and critical comments

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The song received generally good reviews, highlighting the singer's versatility and the group's good adaptation to Shakira. The launch generated multiple reactions on social networks and the media, being one of the most talked about topics in Latin America.[12][13] The news channel CNN en Español compared Shakira to Bad Bunny for "riding the wave" of the recent popularity of the regional genre, since the latter collaborated in early 2023 with Grupo Frontera.[14] Fashion magazine Harper's Bazaar called the song "an anthem for labor rights".[15] The newspaper El Confidencial described it as "a Mexican corrido with strong social criticism".[16] The American magazine Billboard named the collaboration as "a reflection of the dominance and influence of Mexican music on current Latin music" also believing that it is a "catchy corrido".[17]

Music and lyrics

[edit]
"El Jefe"
A 28 second sample from the chorus performed by Fuerza Regida and Shakira.
Problems playing this file? See media help.

Musically, the song is a fast-paced polka with Sinaloan sierreño instrumentation. Lyrically, It is a protest song that criticizes social inequality; also addressing issues such as the migration of Latin people to the United States, labor discrimination, and low-paid work.[18][19] The lyrics includes, "Tengo un jefe de mierda que no me paga bien / Yo llego caminando y el en Mercedes-Benz / Me tiene de recluta / El muy hijo de puta".

Impact

[edit]
"When we talk about labor reform, what we want, as Shakira says in her latest song, is that I published it because it hit the nail on the head. Shakira hit the nail on the head..."- Gustavo Petro, President of Colombia, 2023. [20]

On September 24, 2023, the president of Colombia, Gustavo Petro referenced the song in a post on Twitter to promote the labor reform promoted by his government in the Legislature, tweeting “That's why labor reform is needed”.[21] in the aforementioned speech and with high spirits, Gustavo Petro felt that it was time to remember his message and once again made reference to the lyrics of 'El Jefe.' Shakira's press office in Colombia later responded to the use of the song saying "At no time has the artist authorized the use of the most recent single titled 'El Jefe' , in political or partisan contexts, as was evident in previous days, to promote the labor reform of this government".[22]

Music video

[edit]

The official music video was released on Shakira's official YouTube channel along with the single on September 20, 2023[23] and shows the singer in denim and Texan clothing[24] and the group performing the song in a neighborhood, and then on a cleared field and the group in an area where they pack packages and other things. The video was recorded in Miami and directed by Jora Frantzis.[16] In the video, different images appear, such as several Latino migrants traveling on a train; a way in which Latin American people actually cross into the United States illegally.[25] Shakira wore Mexican milliner Gladys Tamez's custom designs in her music video.[26]

Charts

[edit]
Chart performance for "El Jefe"
Chart (2023) Peak
position
Argentina (Argentina Hot 100)[27] 43
Argentina (Monitor Latino)[28] 10
Bolivia (Billboard)[29] 12
Bolivia (Monitor Latino)[30] 7
Central America (Monitor Latino)[31] 14
Chile (Monitor Latino)[32] 7
Colombia (Billboard)[33] 7
Ecuador (Billboard)[34] 13
Ecuador (Monitor Latino)[35] 17
El Salvador (Monitor Latino)[36] 12
Global 200 (Billboard)[37] 24
Guatemala (Monitor Latino)[38] 15
Mexico (Billboard)[39] 10
Nicaragua (Monitor Latino)[40] 5
Panama (Monitor Latino)[41] 9
Panama (PRODUCE)[42] 48
Peru (Billboard)[43] 18
Peru (Monitor Latino)[44] 14
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[45] 12
US Billboard Hot 100[46] 55
US Hot Latin Songs (Billboard)[47] 4
US Latin Airplay (Billboard)[48] 1
US Regional Mexican Airplay (Billboard)[49] 9

Certifications

[edit]
Certifications for "El Jefe"
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Mexico (AMPROFON)[50] Platinum+Gold 210,000‡
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[51] Gold 30,000‡
United States (RIAA)[52] 7× Platinum (Latin) 420,000‡

‡ Sales+streaming figures based on certification alone.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Shakira le entra a los corridos con 'El Jefe' junto a Fuerza Regida". Marca México (in Mexican Spanish). September 17, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
  2. ^ Tiempo, Casa Editorial El; TIEMPO, REDACCIÓN EL (September 17, 2023). "Con ritmos norteños, Shakira estrenará su canción 'El Jefe': vea aquí las imágenes". ElTiempo (in Spanish). Retrieved September 20, 2023.
  3. ^ "Shakira colabora con Fuerza Regida para 'El Jefe', su nueva canción". EuropaFM (in Spanish). September 15, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
  4. ^ "Shakira se suma a la fiebre norteña junto a Fuerza Regida en su canción "El Jefe"". La Prensa Gráfica. September 19, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
  5. ^ "Shakira se convierte en la "trompeta humana" para "El Jefe", su canción de regional mexicano". CiberCuba (in Spanish). September 19, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
  6. ^ definir, por (September 18, 2023). "Shakira: así suena 'El jefe', su nuevo tema con banda mexicana Fuerza Regida". larepublica.pe (in Spanish). Retrieved September 20, 2023.
  7. ^ Semana (September 16, 2023). "Se filtró la nueva canción de Shakira "El jefe" ¿Un flechazo venenoso para Piqué?". www.semana.com (in Spanish). Retrieved September 20, 2023.
  8. ^ "Shakira da una probadita de su próxima canción". amp.elsalvador.com. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
  9. ^ 20minutos (September 16, 2023). "Así suena el primer adelanto de 'El Jefe', el nuevo tema de Shakira junto a 'Fuerza Regida'". www.20minutos.es - Últimas Noticias (in Spanish). Retrieved September 20, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  10. ^ Tiempo, Casa Editorial El; NOTICIAS, ÚLTIMAS (September 16, 2023). "Así suena la nueva canción de Shakira: video de la filtración del 'ultimátum' a Piqué". ElTiempo (in Spanish). Retrieved September 20, 2023.
  11. ^ "Shakira anuncia nueva canción con Fuerza Regida: Aquí cuándo saldrá". Billboard. September 16, 2023. Retrieved September 20, 2023.
  12. ^ "Letra completa de 'El Jefe', la nueva canción de Shakira". HOLA (in Spanish). September 21, 2023. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
  13. ^ "Letra y videoclip de 'El Jefe', la nueva polémica canción de Shakira: "Tengo un jefe de mierda"". MARCA (in Spanish). September 21, 2023. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
  14. ^ Loaiza, Melissa Velásquez (September 21, 2023). "Shakira se anota otro éxito con El Jefe hablando de migración". CNN (in Spanish). Retrieved October 11, 2023.
  15. ^ "La niñera de Shakira protagoniza su nueva canción 'El jefe', otro dardo contra Piqué". Harper's BAZAAR (in European Spanish). September 21, 2023. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
  16. ^ a b González, Jorge García (September 21, 2023). "Shakira lanza 'El jefe', canción reivindicativa y con letra explícita sin olvidar a Piqué: "Ahí sigue mi exsuegro"". elconfidencial.com (in Spanish). Retrieved October 11, 2023.
  17. ^ Flores, Griselda (September 21, 2023). "Shakira lanza fogosa colaboración con Fuerza Regida 'El Jefe': Mira el video aquí". Billboard (in European Spanish). Retrieved October 11, 2023.
  18. ^ Izquierdo, Por Ignacio (September 21, 2023). "Shakira y Fuerza Regida lanzaron "El Jefe": letra, video y reacciones". infobae (in European Spanish). Retrieved October 11, 2023.
  19. ^ Loaiza, Melissa Velásquez (September 21, 2023). "Shakira se anota otro éxito con El Jefe hablando de migración". CNN (in Spanish). Retrieved October 11, 2023.
  20. ^ "'El Jefe' not only splashes Gerard Piqué: Shakira complains to Gustavo Petro". El Tiempo. September 28, 2023. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
  21. ^ "¿Se sintió inspirado? Presidente Petro referencia canción El Jefe, de Shakira, para promover la Reforma Laboral". El Colombiano. September 24, 2023. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
  22. ^ "Shakira, molesta porque Gustavo Petro la usó y habló de 'El Jefe' para defender sus reformas: "En ningún momento"". Hola. September 28, 2023. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
  23. ^ Shakira, Fuerza Regida - El Jefe (Official Video), September 20, 2023, retrieved September 21, 2023
  24. ^ Barroso, Jesús Delgado (September 21, 2023). "Shakira, sobre el padre de Piqué en su nueva canción 'El Jefe': "Ahí sigue mi exsuegro que no pisa sepultura"". El País (in Spanish). Retrieved October 11, 2023.
  25. ^ LOS40 (September 21, 2023). "'El Jefe', la canción más sorprendente de la carrera de Shakira | Novedades". LOS40 (in European Spanish). Retrieved October 11, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  26. ^ Mier, Tomás (September 21, 2023). "Shakira Enters Her Corrido Era With the Help of Fuerza Régida on 'El Jefe'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
  27. ^ "Shakira – Chart History (Argentina Hot 100)" Billboard Argentina Hot 100 Singles for Shakira. Retrieved 13 October 2023.
  28. ^ "Top 20 Argentina – General" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
  29. ^ "Shakira Chart History (Bolivia Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 13, 2023.
  30. ^ "Top 20 Bolivia – General – Del 25 de Septiembre al 1 de Octubre, 2023" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  31. ^ "Top 20 Centroamerica" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
  32. ^ "Top 20 Chile – General – Del 25 de Septiembre al 1 de Octubre, 2023" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  33. ^ "Shakira Chart History (Colombia Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  34. ^ "Shakira Chart History (Ecuador Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  35. ^ "Top 20 Ecuador – General – Del 25 de Septiembre al 1 de Octubre, 2023" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  36. ^ "Top 20 El Salvador – General – Del 25 de Septiembre al 1 de Octubre, 2023" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  37. ^ "Shakira Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  38. ^ "Top 20 Guatemala – General" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  39. ^ "Shakira Chart History (Mexico Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  40. ^ "Top 20 Nicaragua – General" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. Retrieved May 27, 2024.
  41. ^ "Top 20 Panama – General" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
  42. ^ "TOP 50 INTERNACIONAL BMAT-PRODUCE DEL 5 A EL 11 DE OCTUBRE 2023" (in Spanish). Sociedad Panameña de Productores Fonográficos. Archived from the original on October 11, 2023. Retrieved October 12, 2023.
  43. ^ "Shakira Chart History (Peru Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  44. ^ "Top 20 Peru – General – Del 25 de Septiembre al 1 de Octubre, 2023" (in Spanish). Monitor Latino. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
  45. ^ "Shakira x Fuerza Regida – El Jefe" Canciones Top 50. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  46. ^ "Shakira Chart History (Hot 100)". Billboard. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  47. ^ "Shakira Chart History (Hot Latin Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
  48. ^ "Shakira Chart History (Latin Airplay)". Billboard. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
  49. ^ "Shakira Chart History (Regional Mexican Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
  50. ^ "Certificaciones" (in Spanish). Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas. Retrieved January 24, 2024. Type Shakira & Fuerza Regida in the box under the ARTISTA column heading and El Jefe in the box under the TÍTULO column heading.
  51. ^ "Promusicae: Canciones de Shakira". Archived from the original on January 20, 2024. Retrieved January 23, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  52. ^ "American single certifications – Shakira & Fuerza Regida – El Jefe". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
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