MC's Music Lounge featuring Shakira's La Tortura and the ladies of reggaeton, Burna Boy and Travis Scott, and more

Shakira has always been a trailblazer throughout her music career, be it from the signature sound of her voice, her fashion, or of course those famous hips. She has also earned a reputation as an artist who does a ton of collaborations that slap, specifically in the reggaeton genre. However, up until 2005 she hadn’t had so much as one single duet, and the first one that she would release and eventually become one of her biggest hits “La Tortura (featuring Alejandro Sanz)” turned 20 in April. To celebrate, the two have come back together once again for a brand new track, “Bésame”, their third overall collaboration and it serves as this week’s top highlight.

The “Oral Fixation” era of Shakira’s career back in 2005 gave her the longevity that she enjoys today. The album was split into two volumes, one in English and one in Spanish with each delivering having a hit that would help breathe both new life into the reggaeton and pop genres, plus new life into Shakira’s career - or as she put it, “help re-write [her] story”. Those hits were “La Tortura” and “Hips Don’t Lie”. Two decades later, Shakira is on the biggest tour of her career and both those tracks are centerpieces of the show. “La Tortura” was ground breaking for Latin Pop because it was one of the first reggaeton songs to break into the mainstream North American market; the song hit #23 on the Billboard Hot 100, one of the highest charting Latin songs ever at the time. It had a ten-year-old me singing along to lyrics I both didn’t understand and couldn’t pronounce, and that 2005 VMA performance had a young me gasping for air because I was gagged even then. Two decades years later I still can’t speak Spanish but I definitely sing how the words sound – I’m signing up for Duo Lingo this week lol.

As mentioned earlier, Shakira is known for her reggaeton duets and collaborations with some of the hottest artists in the business – like Maluma, Carlos Vives, Rauw Alejandro, Ozuna, Nicky Jam and KAROL G. Shak and KAROL G’s collaboration became one of the biggest hits of both of their careers, peaking at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the winter of 2023, KAROL G’s first and Shak’s sixth top 10 single, even winning an MTV VMA for Best Collaboration. Reggaeton is generally a male-dominated genre, so not only was Shakira an inspiration for women in the genre, the next generation coming out of the very door she opened are now creating hits with her. KAROL has more than proven that women can rock the genre, becoming one of the world’s most streamed artists and releasing a successful Netflix documentary this past month. Between KAROL G and Shakira, this week’s new tracks represent the ladies of reggaeton and Latin music going global and celebrating that success.

Next week brings us new music from R&B’s latest shining star Leon Thomas, and the newest single “Easy Lover” by Miley Cyrus, as we are just over a week away from her highly-anticipated visual album. This week, along with the ladies of reggaeton, we’ve got new music from Burna Boy/Travis Scott, Valiant/Fridayy, Renee Rapp and a viral pick from Usher that has all boyfriends around the world doing such Jackass type chivalry that you’ll need to see to understand.

Listen on…

MC’s PICKS OF THE WEEK

“Bésame” by Alejandro Sanz, Shakira

A reunion that was 20 years in the making from Alejandro Sanz and Shakira brings us the new love song “Bésame”. Shakira is currently on her sold out Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran world tour and brought out Alejandro during her opening night in Charlotte, only to surprise fans with this new duet only days later. To say that this was long overdue is an understatement, but you probably got that from the intro today. This is icons doing what icons do and Shakira has always been one to give fans exciting new reasons to keep streaming her music. “La Tortura” was a song about a cheating lover, while “Bésame” is the opposite – a song about true romance and lust for your partner. Cover all your bases as I like to say, well done Shak.

The single ventures away from traditional reggaeton, instead opting for a more afro-beats inspired sound while still incorporating Latin elements which the two are famous for. Shakira is no stranger to incorporating both Afrobeats and Tropical music in her songs, this is simply just another fabulous addition to her repertoire – I hear a “Shakira Island” playlist coming lol. Alejandro’s subtle wolf cry at the end (aouuuuuuu) is the sweetest nod to Shak and her iconic hit “She Wolf”. I’m a sucker for an Easter egg what can I say?

“LATINA FOREVA” by KAROL G

If Shakira is mother (which she is), then KAROL G is one of her many children. Her newest single “LATINA FOREVA” is a powerful celebration of her culture and celebrating Latina women all over the world. The song and accompanying music video highlight all the different layers of Latina women and the ways that they should be celebrated. Whether it be their physical and intellectual beauty, or their contagious energy, KAROL G is trying to highlight as much as she can. There’s even a hilarious sample of Euphoria star Alexa Demie’s character Maddie saying, “Why does everyone ask me if I’m Latina, isn’t it obvious?”

KAROL G isn’t the first artist this year to use a Euphoria star’s spoken-word sample in their song, as Tate McRae did so with Sydney Sweeney earlier this year on her track “Miss Possessive”. “LATINA FOREVA” also samples the 2006 reggaeton smash “Oye Mi Canto” by Nina Sky who are more known for their hit “Move Ya Body” which dominated radio stations in the mid-2000s. If we look back at Shakira’s mega success with “La Tortura” back in 2005, the influence of Shak’s sound back then is evident all throughout KAROL G’s catalogue, further reinforcing her influence on the women of reggaeton music today. KAROL’s new Netflix documentary Tomorrow Was Beautiful chronicling her rise to fame and sold-out stadium tours is out now as well, making this a true shining moment in her already impressive career.

“TaTaTa” by Burna Boy, Travis Scott

Burna Boy has been crafting summer anthems for almost a decade now. Some include famous R&B samples from the likes of Brandy and Toni Braxton, while others stay true to the Afro-beat sound that he helped commercialize in late-2010s. This time around, he’s linked up with Travis Scott for a club hit that is already heating up the streaming charts. The minute I heard those first few notes I was out my seat and booty shaking in my living room. I’ve never been a big fan of Travis Scott but even his verse on the track kept my energy up. I have a theory that songs where the main lyric is just some kind of audible sound usually end up being the biggest hits. Just think “Exhale (Shoop Shoop)” or “Sweat (A La La La La La Long)” where the hook is just a repetitive sound over and over and over – it’s easy to memorize and makes for the perfect karaoke anthem that’ll get you singing in seconds. This song sounds like it needs me to take a shot of Casamigos reposado, I’m ready.

“Advantage” by Valiant, Fridayy

One of the biggest stars of the last few years to come out of Jamaica into the North American music scene is dancehall artist Valiant who has returned with a new EP, Prove Them Wrong, that blends both his own culture with some new sounds as he grows his artistry. The standout for me is the duet with Haitian-American artist Fridayy who I have featured in the column before. This track blends dancehall with some trap and R&B elements, making for a smooth marriage of sounds that craft the perfect vibe for the inevitable “Netflix and Chill” dates it will serve as the soundtrack to. Fridayy is better known for R&B but if the Toronto music scene has taught me anything in the last few years, it’s that R&B can complement pretty much every genre - especially dancehall. Somebody call up the day party DJs in the six because this banger needs to be played in a mashup with one of the classic Drake hits which I already know I will be hearing against my will; may as well add something fresh to it lol. Valiant is taking his act worldwide this summer with festival shows across the UK and Europe, and with the serious buzz that the EP is stirring up there are sure to be some US and Canada shows in the future.

“Leave Me Alone” by Renee Rapp

Here’s a confession: not only have I not been on the Renee Rapp train for the last few years, but I was hesitant to even give this new track a listen. Call it my jaded millennial self not wanting to give her the time of day because of that AWFUL Mean Girls re-make, but either way I was being the stubborn Taurus everyone in my life says I can be. I’m happy I got over that because “Leave Me Alone” is an angsty pop-rock banger that reminds me of all the teen pop-punk girlies of my youth. In fact, the first thought that came into my mind while watching was that nine-year-old me would’ve ate this right up, so just for that reason I’m giving Renee props – nothing gets me going more than some 2000s nostalgia. Plus, it’s summer so I’m just trying to have some FUN. Remember that? “Leave Me Alone” sounds like if Ashlee Simpson and The Donnas decided to write a song together for a girl power 2000s soundtrack (think something you’d hear in She’s The Man or What A Girl Wants). Lyrically, the tune fits Renee’s “I don’t give a f-ck” image that she has portrayed through her interviews and media appearances in the last few years, and the visuals are just as spicy as she sings “Leave me alone b-tch I wanna have fun” – “fun” really is the key word here. Since Olivia Rodrigo’s arrival on the scene back in 2021, the pop-rock genre has received a major resurgence and now the girls aren’t holding back with their kiss-off anthems, why shouldn’t Renee get in on the action too? Her new album Bite Me (go off, Avril!) is out August 1st so if angsty lipstick-punk gals are your vibe, keep your eyes and ears peeled.

MC’s VIRAL PICK

“Hey Daddy (Daddy’s Home)” by USHER

If there was ever an indication that cuffing season is over, it’s Usher’s “Hey Daddy (Daddy’s Home)” going viral 16 years after its initial release. Originally released as the first single from Usher’s 2010 album Raymond vs. Raymond, the song was first met with mixed reactions, only peaking at #24 on the Billboard Hot 100. Fast-forward a decade and a half and the song has become one of Usher’s signature songs. When I went to his show last September, the crowd’s reaction was telling as not a single person was in their seat. No shade (or honestly, maybe a little shade) to Toronto crowds, but that doesn’t happen here unless the artist is performing a f-cking banger. Now in 2025, the song has been attached to various trends with over 1.5 million uses amongst multiple TikTok sounds.

@c4pr1i
let me open the door for you ml 😉
♬ hey daddy - usher

https://www.tiktok.com/@maddiekae678/video/7492164006585634078

@mrsbrittanymason
And that’s why I went ghost for 10 years 😮‍💨 #daddyshome #husband #fyp #marriedlife #relationshipgoals
♬ hey daddy - usher

@icarsonlocked
Daddy’s home baby
♬ hey daddy - usher

https://www.tiktok.com/@marcelotrottierortega7/video/7498449337303846199

Each trend while varying across different themes and actions all have one common denominator: daddy….whether it be boyfriends jumping over cars to open the door for their significant others, girls talking about how much they love their man, or just sexy gorgeous guys walking around shirtless and wet on a beach. That last one is my personal favourite but let me not get too crass with you all on this lovely Tuesday. Side bar: my computer froze while surfing TikTok on this post so it’s safe to say, my roommate had some questions lol. The point is all the girls, gays and theys want to show off their man and what better soundtrack to do so to than everyone’s favourite daddy, Usher. Usher has been on a major hot streak over the last year since the Super Bowl, with the biggest would tour of his career and making fashion statements on every red carpet worth mentioning, letting both his fans and everyone on socials know that Daddy is in fact home. Thank you daddy!

You can also check out my “MC’s MUSIC LOUNGE” Spotify playlist here to keep up to date with my weekly picks throughout the year.

With Love,

Attached: Shakira performing her 'Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran' World Tour in Montreal and Detroit last week.