Shakira’s performance with Bizarrap on Jimmy Fallon features unexpected backing vocals

Shakira and Argentinian producer Bizarrap debuted their first live performance of their song ‘Bzrp Music Sessions vol. 53′ on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Friday, with a huge group of fans providing backing vocals for the artist.

The song was released in January and became a hit due to its danceable rhythm and catchy lyrics, which are aimed at Shakira’s ex, soccer player Gerard Piqué and his new girlfriend Clara Chia.

A debut performance to remember

“It’s unbelievable to feel the reaction from so many people. I think that people really connect to music when it’s really genuine when it’s real when it comes from a real place,” Shakira said to Fallon following the performance.

The performance itself found the duo in a recreation of a recording studio, a nod to their original video for the song released in January, where Bizarrap was seen working on the music in the background while Shakira recorded her vocals in the foreground.

Shakira came out dressed in a mesh cut-out top with leather chaps, and began the song with a howl, referring to a line in the song where she calls herself a she-wolf.

The song has since become a hit in the Spanish-speaking world with its fiery lyrics that fire shot after shot at Shakira’s ex, and became Shakira’s first top 10 single on Billboard’s Hot 100 since ‘Beautiful Liar’ in 2007. It has since become a rallying cry for women who have been in similar situations as Shakira.

How the song has become an anthem for women

“The thing with this song is it’s become like an anthem for so many women out there. You know, I’ve had a very rough year after my separation, and writing this song has been so important to me, it’s been a healthy way to channel my emotions,” the ‘Hips Don’t Lie’ singer continued.

“And I feel that you know, after we put out this song, I really felt that I don’t only have fans out there, I have a sisterhood of women who have been through the same things that I have been through, who think the way I think, who feel the way I feel, who had to put up with so much crap the way I had to.”

Throughout the performance, Shakira made her way into a crowd of fans, who eagerly sang every word with her at full volume, emoting every word with the singer, showing just how much of an impact the song has had on people.

“And you know, I did write the song for me, but also I feel that it was meant to be, and probably for so many women out there that needed a forum too, and a voice to represent them in so many ways.”