Is Shakira Going Hip-Hop on Her New Album?

The question that racks my brain every day. How much longer will we wait for Shakira's next album to drop?!?

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I know, I know...she's been keeping busy with charity work, and she did serve us with two monster hits since the Fjación Oral discs dropped in 2005 ("Beautiful Liar" with Beyoncé, "Hips Dont Lie" with Wyclef). But come on! She must have some big song ideas just waiting to be unleashed.

Well finally, it looks like Shaki is laying the groundwork for her new record. Univision.com tells us that the Colombian singer has invited some big name collaborators to join her in the recording studio: Gustavo Cerati (of Soda Stereo fame), the aforementioned Wyclef, and super-producer Pharrell Williams.

Shakira

The reunion between Shakira and Wyclef is cool, except for the fact that...well, this is a little hard to admit, but I don't like "Hips Don't Lie." Like, I reeeally don't like it. I've tried to, believe me! It just never worked. (Can anyone relate? Don't be shy!)

As for Gustavo, he worked with Shakira on the bulk of Fijación Oral, so we know they've got a great partnership going on. And I'm sure that Pharrell and Shakira can make a hit record together (they might already have, even), but as a producer, he couldn't be more different from Gustavo.

So now, it's really hard to get a sense of what type of album Shakira planning to make. Will it be a rock en español-inspired throwback to her earlier albums, or will she try going hip-hop on us? As a fan, which direction do you want to see Shakira take with her new music? Share your opinion, and maybe together we can help her decide.

Terra USA