Shakira seems to be getting very real in her new song. The artist released a track called “53” on Jan. 11, which features biting lyrics like, “You left me the in-laws as my neighbors / Media outlets at my door and in debt,” according to an E! News translation. “You thought you hurt me, but you made me stronger / Women don’t cry anymore, they cash in,” she continues, adding, “I was out of your league.”
The lyrics appear to be referencing her ex Gerard Piqué, even seeming to take a dig at Piqué’s new relationship with 23-year-old Clara Chia Marti, which The Daily Mail first caught on camera. “I wish you good luck with my supposed replacement / I don’t even know what happened to you,” Shakira sings. “You are so strange that I can’t even distinguish you / I’m worth two of 22 / You traded a Ferrari for a Twingo / You traded a Rolex for a Casio.”
Shakira and Piqué announced their separation in June. “We regret to confirm that we are separating,” the couple shared in a statement at the time. “For the well-being of our children, who are our highest priority, we ask that you respect our privacy. Thank you for your understanding.” She later told Elle that the separation was “hard to talk about,” adding, “I’m still going through it, and because I’m in the public eye and because our separation is not like a regular separation. And so it’s been tough not only for me, but also for my kids. Incredibly difficult. I have paparazzi camping outside, in front of my house, 24/7.”
Piqué, a soccer player for Manchester United and Barcelona, retired in November, per NBC News. He and Shakira met in 2010 while she was promoting her World Cup anthem, “Waka Waka (This Time For Africa),” and first confirmed their relationship in March 2011. They share two children, 9-year-old Milan and 7-year-old Sasha.
“53” is Shakira’s first single of 2023 and her first collaboration with producer Bizarrap. Listen to the song above.