"Puntería" (English: "Aim") is a song by Colombian singer-songwriter Shakira and Dominican-American singer and rapper Cardi B. It was released on 22 March 2024 through Sony Music Latin as the sixth single from Shakira's twelfth studio album, Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran (2024). It served as the first focus track of the album.[2] "Puntería" was named the official song of TelevisaUnivision's 2024 Copa AméricaCONMEBOL coverage.[3]
Background and release
On 15 February 2024, Shakira announced her twelfth studio album, Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran, and made it available for preorder.[4] On 29 February, she revealed the album's track list, including a collaboration with Cardi B entitled "Puntería".[5] Shakira shared a sneak peek of the song and its music video on her official WhatsApp channel on 16 March.[6] The song was released on 22 March as the opening track of the album. Vinyl & CD pressings of the album include a different version of the track in which Cardi B sings and raps in only Spanish, as opposed to both Spanish and English in the original version. The "vinyl version" was included on digital versions of the album as the closing track.[7]
Recording and development
Shakira and Cardi B first met during Paris Fashion Week, at which Cardi expressed her admiration for the singer and revealed that her sister won a talent show performing one of Shakira’s songs when they were growing up. According to Shakira, she has always wanted to work with Cardi B, and the opportunity finally arose for "Punteria". When developing the song, Shakira expressed that she thought "How cool would it be to have a woman rapper here?". The only artist that came to her mind was Cardi B, who she had recently met in Paris. Shakira stated, "We were always discussing internally if it was a good idea to put someone on this song. I always pictured Cardi on this song. I reached out, and here we are." She contacted Cardi B, who immediately agreed to be on the song and do anything required for it, having always wanted to do a song with Shakira as well.[8][9][10]
Critical reception
USA Today named "Puntería" the "standout" track of the album and complimented Shakira's "liquid delivery" and Cardi B's "trademark spicy rapping", finding them to be a "potent duo".[11]Billboard called it the fifth-best song on the album and praised the "infectious energy and the undeniable chemistry" between the two artists. They felt that listeners would appreciate Shakira's "effortless flow" as well as Cardi B's "unmistakable bad-girl swagger," which they felt elevated the song.[1] Suzy Exposito from Rolling Stone depicted how Shakira "gets straight to the point with the nu-disco radio candy" while "[serenading] a dastardly Cupid in Spanish".[12] Pablo Gil from El Mundo described the song as a "dancey and easy to consume" "erotic festive duet" "about making a match without nonsense", noting the song's "mischievous verses".[13] Thania Garcia from Variety inscribed it as "nu-disco-pop song", taking note on Cardi's "playful rap verses" and outlining how "Shakira's voice is at its most syrupy" in the song.[14] María Porcel from El País reflected on "Puntería" being "a summery, poppy song, where [Shakira] borders on the most risqué lyrics of, probably, her entire career".[15]
Music video
The music video for "Puntería" was directed by Hannah Lux Davis and was released on Shakira's official YouTube channel along with the single on 22 March 2024.[16][17]
^"Crowley Charts: Top 100 Brasil – Semana referência: 08/04/2024 – 12/04/2024" [Crowley Charts: Top 100 Brasil – Reference week: 8 April 2024 – 12 April 2024 (08/04/2024 – 12/04/2024)] (in Brazilian Portuguese). Crowley Broadcast Analysis. Note: In SEMANA REFERÊNCIA select week 08/04/2024 – 12/04/2024. To access the full top 100, enter your name and email, then enter the code you received by email. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
^"ČNS IFPI" (in Czech). Hitparáda – Radio Top 100 Oficiální. IFPI Czech Republic. Note: Select 42. týden 2024 in the date selector. Retrieved 22 October 2024.
