Shakira enjoys her liberty.

In an interview with Zane Lowe on Apple Music 1, the “She Wolf” singer, 47, discussed how being a single mother and living away from Barcelona has influenced her creativity.

Shakira struggled to find the proper balance as a partner to Gerard Piqué, whom she dated for 11 years till their breakup in 2022, and mother to their two sons Milan, 11, and Sasha, 9.

“It was kind of like a sometimes a love-hate relationship because every time I had to be pulled into the studio to do my work, I failed,” she says. “I felt like I was neglecting my family. There were instances when I didn’t much enjoy it. You know, I felt guilty. “I felt torn.

 Shakira Puts Her Career ‘on Hold’ for Ex Gerard Pique: ‘There Was a Lot of Sacrifice for Love’

Now that her children are older and Shakira has moved to Miami, it’s different, “even though it’s more stressful because now I’m in charge of these two toddlers, these two babies that rely so heavily on me. And I’m a single mother; I don’t have a husband to help with anything.”

The Latin pop singer believes that being independent has helped her music career develop.

“Not having a husband can be beneficial in some ways.”I’m not sure why it was pulling me down, guy,” she replies. “I feel like working right now. I feel compelled to write music. I’m in the mood to make music. It’s a compulsive need that I’d never felt before.”

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Shakira will release her 12th studio album, Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran (Women Don’t Cry Anymore), on Friday. This will be her first album release in seven years.

According to a press release, the album is a monument to “Shakira’s resilience and strength, as well as music’s power to transform even the most trying experiences into precious moments.”

“Creating this body of work was an alchemical process. While creating each song, I was rebuilding myself. “While singing them, my tears turned into diamonds and my vulnerability into strength,” the “Hips Don’t Lie” singer said in a statement.

The 16-track album will have eight new tracks, a remix, and seven previously released singles, including “Music Sessions Vol. 53” with Bizarrap, “TQG” with Karol G, “Te Felicito” with Rauw Alejandro, and “Copa Vacía” with Manuel Turizo.