Shakira is sticking it to the man in her new song, “El Jefe” (“The Boss” in English), with Fuerza Regida. The song is a fiery reggaeton track about a woman who is taking control of her own life and standing up to the patriarchy.
The song opens with Shakira singing about her dreams of escaping her barrio and becoming a millionaire. She sings about her expensive taste and her mentality, but she also recognizes that she’s missing one thing: a salary.
The chorus of the song is a defiant anthem to female empowerment. Shakira sings, “I’m not afraid of anyone, not even the boss.” She goes on to say that she’s not going to let anyone tell her what to do or how to live her life.
The megastar sings about having a horrible boss who doesn’t pay well, being tired of their jobs and wanting to quit to make it on their own.
“Siete y treinta ha sonado la alarma/Yo con ganas de estar en la cama/Pero no se puede/Llevo a los niño’ a las nueve,” Shakira kicks off the song in Spanish, which translates to, “7:30 the alarm goes off/I want to be in bed/But I can’t/I take the kids at 9.”
The song’s message is especially resonant in the context of Shakira’s own personal life. In recent years, she has been outspoken about her support for women’s rights and her opposition to sexism and misogyny. In “El Jefe,” she seems to be channeling her own personal experiences into a powerful and inspiring song.
The song’s music video is just as empowering as the song itself. It features Shakira and the members of Fuerza Regida dancing and singing in a variety of locations, including a construction site and a factory. The video also features a number of symbolic images, such as Shakira breaking free from chains and a group of women marching in protest.
