If Charlie had angels and demons, surely the latter would be a trio of men. Serving up a multi-genre, multi-cultural combination, the trio of Travis Scott, Bad Bunny, and The Weeknd provide the perfect demon-time soundtrack via “K-POP.” Laced with plenty of star power, this party anthem is tailor-made for the club, and no doubt inspired by its namesake’s effects. As the track progresses, each star shines via his signature sound: Scott sets the mood with a trippy rap, Bad Bunny ups the energy with bombastic bars, and Weeknd cools things down, atmospherically floating atop the beat.

Watch the “K-POP” video, stream it, or get some Travis Scott vinyl.

In celebration of summer, the staff at THE 97 has compiled a playlist containing some of our favorite summer songs, from then and now. Each day we will reveal one song, rotating daily between past and present with pairings from 1998 and 2023, for a total of 97 days/songs. Since we love nostalgia, we’re celebrating summer songs from 1998 as they turn 25, alongside new songs that we feel deserve some shine. Pairings could be thematic, sonic, or based connections between the artists.

Check out our full “THE SUMMER 97 (1998 x 2023)” playlist here

The post 97 Words: “K-POP” by Travis Scott, Bad Bunny & The Weeknd appeared first on THE 97.

It’s almost become a rite of passage for a diva to delve into dance-pop at some point in her career. With “Heaven’s What I Feel,” the lead single from her mononymous album “gloria!” (1998), pioneering Latin pop icon Gloria Estefan fully committed to crafting dancefloor anthems. “Heaven’s What I Feel,” with its Spanish, French, and club mixes, became a decent hit for a then-40-year-old Estefan. Boasting soaring vocals, a glossily produced pop take on the House genre, and some fittingly dramatic lyrics of forbidden love, “Heaven’s What I Feel” is prime gay club material from a beloved diva.

Watch the “Heaven’s What I Feel” video, stream it in English or Spanish, or buy the “gloria!” album.

In celebration of summer, the staff at THE 97 has compiled a playlist containing some of our favorite summer songs, from then and now. Each day we will reveal one song, rotating daily between past and present with pairings from 1998 and 2023, for a total of 97 days/songs. Since we love nostalgia, we’re celebrating summer songs from 1998 as they turn 25, alongside new songs that we feel deserve some shine. Pairings could be thematic, sonic, or based connections between the artists.

Check out our full “THE SUMMER 97 (1998 x 2023)” playlist here

The post 97 Words: “Heaven’s What I Feel” by Gloria Estefan appeared first on THE 97.

Certain songs are just perfect for a summer bonfire. Shakira’s fiery 1998 classic “Inevitable” is just that. This quintessential Latin rock ballad was the perfect bridge between Shakira’s acoustic beginnings and her more impassioned pivot to moody rock chick. The track starts off acoustic, but quickly builds in intensity as the guitar and drums layer up, and Shakira’s signature voice amplifies it from a ballad to an anthem. While her first foray into English-language music was never officially released (and is way better in Spanish), like the love she sings about, Shakira becoming a global superstar was inevitable.

En español: Hay algunas canciones que son perfectas para escuchar alrededor de una fogata en verano. La clásica ardiente de Shakira, “Inevitable,” es una de ellas. Esta balada por excelencia de rock Latino fue el puente perfecto entre sus comienzos acústicos y su pivote apasionado a una chica rockera malhumorada. La canción comienza con un tono acústico y rápidamente cambian su intensidad cuando la guitarra y la batería aumentan y la voz, característica de Shakira, la amplifica transformándola de una balada a un himno. Aunque, siendo esta su primera canción para incursionar en inglés, nunca fue lanzada oficialmente (y por supuesto, es mucho mejor en español), el convertirse en una super estrella mundial era inevitable.

Watch the music video below, stream “Inevitable” or grab some Shakira vinyl

In celebration of summer, the staff at THE 97 has compiled a playlist containing some of our favorite summer songs, from then and now. Each day we will reveal one song, rotating daily between past and present with pairings from 1998 and 2023, for a total of 97 days/songs. Since we love nostalgia, we’re celebrating summer songs from 1998 as they turn 25, alongside new songs that we feel deserve some shine. Pairings could be thematic, sonic, or based connections between the artists.

Check out our full “THE SUMMER 97 (1998 x 2023)” playlist here.

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Hot off the heels of her Latin pop hit “Chantaje” featuring fellow Colombian sensation Maluma, Shakira has released the next single to tease her upcoming 11th studio album, “Me Enamoré,” just in time for Spring Break. The poppy bop has reggaeton undertones similar to “Chantaje,” but is more breezy and tropical. For sure, it sounds tailor-made to be the next summer anthem, at least for the Latin pop market. It’s pre-Semana Santa (Spring Break) release is perfect timing.

If she’s wise, she’ll offer a Spanglish version for the mainstream American market. The chorus, where she sings, “Me gusta esa barbita” and “Nos enamoramos/Un mojito, dos mojitos” are catchy and perfect for los Gringos that so desperately want to pretend to be cultured by eating burritos, drinking mojitos and wearing a sombrero on Cinco de Mayo. She’s already released a colorful lyric video to accompany the song, but for sure a sexy, dance-filled video is on the way as we speak. If it’s anywhere near as good as “Chantaje,” Shakira can expect yet another video with over a billion views VEVO, a la “Chantaje.” Be ready for Shaki to slay us this summer, and go loca, loca, loca for her all over again.

Watch Shakira’s “Me Enamoré” lyric video:

Grade:

90/97

The post Single Review: Shakira drops new bop, “Me Enamoré” appeared first on THE 97.

February 12, 2007.

In 2007, America’s “Shakira” teamed up with Latin America’s “Beyoncé” to gyrate their way into the top of the charts. Naturally, they stepped on a useless man — err, a “Beautiful Liar,” in the process. But how did such a perfect pairing come about?

The Colombian Meets America

In 2001, Colombian sensation Shakira released her first English language album, Laundry Service, and had her breakthrough single with “Whenever, Wherever,” becoming one of the only female artists from South America to take America by storm in such a way. That same year, Destiny’s Child announced they would pursue solo projects, and the media and music world put lead singer Beyoncé Knowles on a pedestal from which she has never left.

The American Goes Caribbean

Shakira’s next album did not come until 2005, and while she was away, Beyoncé rose to superstardom as a result of her 2003 debut solo album, Dangerously In Love. On the album’s second and fourth singles, “Baby Boy” and “Naughty Girl,” Beyoncé displayed a new penchant for Caribbean and Middle Eastern inspired sounds, looks, and dances in her music and videos (belly dancing in “Baby Boy,” anyone?). Her 2003 MTV VMA performance seemed particularly Shakira-esque. Perhaps a coincidence, or perhaps she was indeed inspired by her peer, Shakira (who is of Caribbean and Middle Eastern descent), the comparisons began to form between the two dyed-golden-haired artists.

The Stars Align in 2006

Shakira returned to prominence in America with her second English language album, Oral Fixation, Vol. 2, released in November 2005, and the massive hit single “Hips Don’t Lie,” featuring Wyclef Jean, in early 2006. (Side note: Beyoncé got her first hit, with Destiny’s Child, via a Wyclef Jean production, “No, No, No Part 2”). It was Shakira’s biggest hit to date and, naturally, she became a hot commodity once again. Later that same year, Beyoncé released her second album, B’Day, with which she seemed to be targeting the Latin American market. Beyoncé recorded Spanish language versions of her singles, “Listen” and “Irreplaceable,” with unreleased Spanish language demos of “Ring the Alarm” and “Deja Vu” surfacing on the internet as well. In 2006, Beyoncé and Shakira were two of music’s hottest names.

The Rumors, The Demo

At the end of that year, rumors began to swirl that the pair were planning a duet. Then, a demo of would-be duet, “Beautiful Liar” leaked onto the internet. In the leaked demo, Beyoncé sang the entire song solo. The parts Shakira would eventually sing in the final version were sung by Beyoncé in Spanish, playing the character of “Sasha.” Based on this, it was assumed the final version of the song would be sung by Beyoncé in English and Shakira in Spanish.

“Beautiful Liar,” The Final Product

That, however, was not the case, and, the final product was rather disappointing. “Beautiful Liar,” the lead single from Beyoncé’s reissue of B’Day, was poised to become an iconic collaboration, but fell short. Duets between two big name artists often do – especially, for whatever reason, when both artists are of the same sex. Yes, it had everything that everyone expected from Beyoncé and Shakira: a dance floor ready beat, sassy drama, a girl-power message, Latin flavor, and a touch of Middle Eastern flair. Still, the song felt a bit chintzy and simply could have been so much better. Fans felt a bit let down.

And then the video dropped.

“Beautiful Liar,” The Video

While the song was lackluster, the video rendered the song’s shortcomings irrelevant. Perfectly, the two budding divas owned the similarities and comparisons between their styles and appearances and appeared to be two best friends playing dress up from the same closet. They rocked similar outfits, hairstyles, and slayed their complimentary choreography. Not only did they reinforce the girls vs. boy message of the song, but they showed us how damn amazing it would be if Beyoncé and Shakira actually were twins. Belly dancing and twirling in the rain, America and Latin America’s biggest female stars united not in competition but in unison. With so much talent and beauty, they were an undeniable force together on camera. We only wish they performed the song together.

“Beautiful Liar,” The Legacy

While the song itself may be forgettable, the video for “Beautiful Liar” will live on as iconic piece of pop culture. The VEVO version of the video, uploaded two and a half years after its February 2007 release, in October 2009, has amassed over 236 million views, and sits as the #9 most viewed video on Beyoncé’s VEVO account. For comparison’s sake, “Irreplaceable” is from the same album, has been uploaded for the same amount of time, was #1 on the Hot 100 for 11 weeks, and is 12 million views behind “Beautiful Liar,” which spent just one week at #2 on the Hot 100. “Beautiful Liar” is the highest ranking song from B’Day on VEVO.

So, “Beyoncé, Beyoncé… Shakira, Shakira” — we’ve waited 10 years, and can’t wait any longer. When will you two collaborate again?

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