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Forget that leaked snippet from a week ago. The real version of “La Bicicleta” (The Bicycle) , the new single by Colombian stars Carlos Vives and Shakira, will drop this Friday (May 27).
Meantime, here’s the single cover art. It’s a vintage-style photo that looks like an old vinyl cover, shot (presumably) on Colombia’s Caribbean coast. The video for “La Bicicleta” was shot there too, between Barranquilla (Shakira’s home town) and Santa Marta (Vives’ home town).
Carlos Vives & Shakira’s ‘La Bicicleta’ Leak Is ‘Not the Final Version,’ Label & Management Say
The collab is the first between the two artists, and will be featured on Vives’ upcoming studio album.
“La Bicicleta” kicks off with a sensual solo played by an indigenous Colombian wind instrument (sources say it’s called a flauta de millo) before giving way to a sultry cumbia/reggaetón beat, with Vives and Shakira trading verses about yearning love, then coming together for an immediately catchy chorus.
“I’ve always had a dream to co-write, produce and record a song with Shakira so that together we can show our Colombia to the world,” said Vives in a statement.
“This is a song that represents us both very well. It’s vallenato-reggaeton. And he is the king of vallenato,” said Shakira. “He is one of the most impressive artists that Colombia has given us. I’ve always admired him, the style of his compositions, his charisma, his commitment to our country, his incomparable artistic talent and I’m very honored to be invited to participate in this project.”