Black Eyed Peas’ recent comeback scores a rush of excitement in the form of Shakira in their latest single ‘A Girl Like Me’. This beloved group has reassembled in the past year but most would notice that their latest work has been missing a certain feminine flavor. Though Fergie and her captivating vocals are still nowhere to be found, Shakira’s wild and over-the-top charisma shines through and makes an impact regardlessly. It helps that there’s a strong chorus to match Shakira’s spirit, one that distorts her voice at the end and layers it up a couple of pitches. The end-product is a fun, exaggerated, high-pitched refrain that echoes through the silence and builds up the mood for a rambunctious adventure. 

Though Shakira tackles the chorus and two other short verses, her dynamic energy flows throughout, whether it’s her dance moves, her costumes, or her impressive skateboarding showcase. The rest of the composition makes room for the other members of Black Eyed Peas and their light, low-key verses. The song is buoyed by a sync-based chord that jingles periodically, supported by an uptempo percussion arrangement that lends the tune a cheerful but subdued vibe. What’s interesting is the insertion of both Latin sounds and lyrics into the melody. From the maracas to the little clicks and snares that can be heard intermittently, the tune does a wonderful job of incorporating and honoring Shakira’s feature. A lot of the credit must be given to the production and how it’s able to set up such a boisterous atmosphere through a simple but infectious melody. Shakira is able to flaunt her vocals without going overboard; at the end of the day, this is a very solid dance number that will probably get the remix treatment down the line. 

For a group that’s not racked up too much traction since their comeback, Shakira’s vocals remind the public of the necessity of having a female personality drive the vocals. The production and the artistry remain as convincing as ever, but will.i.am thrives the most when he has someone to riff off to. Shakira’s little cameo reminds the world what Black Eyed Peas are truly capable of. 

Author: Shaoni Das

Shaoni Das is a writer/editor currently based in Edmonton, Canada. She remains eager to inspect how the changing culture of music impacts upon the greater world.