After Shakira's June release of "Copa Vacía" withManuel Turizo, and Fuerza Regida's active 2023, the Colombian singer shared a preview of the video and her song in mid-September 2023, scheduled to be released on September 20 of that year.[6][7][8][9][10][11]
The song received generally good reviews, highlighting the singer's versatility and the group's good adaptation to Shakira. The launch generated multiple reactions on social networks and the media, being one of the most talked about topics in Latin America.[12][13] The news channelCNN en Español comparedShakira toBad Bunny for "riding the wave" of the recent popularity of the regional genre, since the latter collaborated in early 2023 withGrupo Frontera.[14] Fashion magazineHarper's Bazaar called the song "an anthem for labor rights".[15] The newspaperEl Confidencial described it as "a Mexican corrido with strong social criticism".[16] The American magazineBillboard named the collaboration as "a reflection of the dominance and influence of Mexican music on current Latin music" also believing that it is a "catchy corrido".[17]
"When we talk about labor reform, what we want, as Shakira says in her latest song, is that I published it because it hit the nail on the head. Shakira hit the nail on the head..."-Gustavo Petro,President of Colombia, 2023.[19]
On September 24, 2023, the president ofColombia,Gustavo Petro referenced the song in a post onTwitter to promote the labor reform promoted by his government in the Legislature, tweeting “That's why labor reform is needed”.[20] in the aforementioned speech and with high spirits, Gustavo Petro felt that it was time to remember his message and once again made reference to the lyrics of 'El Jefe.'Shakira's press office in Colombia later responded to the use of the song saying "At no time has the artist authorized the use of the most recent single titled 'El Jefe', in political or partisan contexts, as was evident in previous days, to promote the labor reform of this government".[21]
The official music video was released on Shakira's officialYouTube channel along with the single on September 20, 2023[22] and shows the singer in denim and Texan clothing[23] and the group performing the song in a neighborhood, and then on a cleared field and the group in an area where they pack packages and other things. The video was recorded inMiami and directed by Jora Frantzis.[16] In the video, different images appear, such as several Latino migrants traveling on a train; a way in which Latin American people actually cross into the United States illegally.[24]Shakira wore Mexican millinerGladys Tamez's custom designs in her music video.[25]
