Shakira and Maluma have reunited for “AGUA,” a new merengue single that brings the Colombian artists together for their first collaboration since 2018. The track returns the pair to a shared musical format while introducing merengue rhythms to their latest release.
Key Takeaways
- “AGUA” was released on September 17, 2026, ahead of Shakira’s Madrid concert residency.
- The single is Shakira and Maluma’s first collaboration since “Clandestino” in 2018.
- The song uses merengue rhythms and contemporary production.
- “AGUA” is the fourth official collaboration between the two Colombian artists.
- Their previous collaborations include “Chantaje,” “Trap” and “Clandestino.”
Shakira and Maluma Release New Single “AGUA”
The new collaboration brings Shakira and Maluma together after an eight-year gap between joint releases. “AGUA” became available on digital platforms on September 17, 2026, marking their return as recording partners after “Clandestino,” released in 2018.
The song is built around merengue rhythms, giving the Colombian artists a different musical setting for their latest collaboration. The production uses water and fire as metaphors connected to attraction and desire.
The release adds a fourth official collaboration to the pair’s catalog. Their joint work began with “Chantaje” in 2016 and continued with “Trap” and “Clandestino” in 2018.
“AGUA” connects a new release with a collaboration history that began a decade ago. The two artists have returned to a format that previously produced three recorded songs while using a merengue-based sound for their latest track.
The release also arrived shortly before Shakira’s scheduled return to the stage in Madrid. The singer is set to begin a 12-concert residency on September 18 as part of the final stretch of her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour.
The collaboration also follows other recent releases involving Maluma. Earlier in September, he appeared on Beyoncé’s expanded B’Day anniversary edition, which included the new track “Cuerpo Tumbao (Get Me Bodied).”
“AGUA” Introduces a Merengue-Driven Sound
Merengue provides the central rhythmic foundation for “AGUA.” The track combines that rhythm with contemporary production and vocals from both artists.
The song’s lyrics center on attraction, using water as a recurring image. The production also draws on the contrast between water and fire to frame the song’s subject.
The arrangement gives Shakira and Maluma separate vocal passages while retaining the duet structure associated with their earlier recordings. Their voices share the track rather than presenting it as a solo release with a brief guest appearance.
The musical direction distinguishes “AGUA” from the pair’s earlier collaborations without changing the central format of a Shakira-Maluma duet. The new single uses a Latin dance rhythm as the foundation for their reunion.
A music video was also released with the song. Hannah Lux Davis directed the video, which uses water, reflective surfaces, movement and dance as visual elements.
The visual production extends the song’s water imagery beyond the lyrics. The video incorporates water-related imagery into its visual setting, connecting the song’s central theme with its accompanying film.
The release adds another example of Latin music collaborations involving established international artists. Shakira has also remained connected to large-scale music and entertainment projects, including a recent World Cup-related release covered in Shakira’s recent music projects.
The Collaboration Follows an Eight-Year Gap
“AGUA” follows the pair’s most recent collaboration, “Clandestino,” which was released in 2018. That song followed “Trap,” which came after their first recorded collaboration, “Chantaje,” in 2016.
The sequence establishes a four-song collaboration history spanning 10 years. “Chantaje” began the partnership in 2016, followed by “Trap” and “Clandestino” in 2018, before “AGUA” arrived in 2026.
The eight-year interval applies to the period between “Clandestino” and “AGUA.” The new single consequently reunites the artists after their longest gap between joint releases.
The return also places the collaboration alongside separate creative activity from both performers. Maluma’s current work includes his album Loco X Volver, while Shakira is continuing her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour.
For the new release, however, the focus remains on their shared recording. “AGUA” is presented as a new collaboration rather than a reissue, remix or previously released recording.
The timing also connects the single with Shakira’s upcoming Madrid performances. Her 12-show residency begins one day after the song’s release, giving “AGUA” a release date immediately before the scheduled concerts.
The new single also follows a period of continued international attention around Spanish-language and Latin music.
Shakira and Maluma Previously Recorded Three Singles Together
Shakira and Maluma first worked together on “Chantaje,” released in 2016. The song established their collaboration and was followed by two additional recordings before “AGUA.”
Their second collaboration was “Trap,” which brought the two artists together again in 2018. “Clandestino” followed that same year and became their third official joint release.
Those three songs form the recorded history behind the new single. “AGUA” is the fourth official collaboration between the Colombian artists.
The sequence also shows that their previous collaborations were released relatively close together compared with the gap preceding “AGUA.” The first three arrived between 2016 and 2018, while the fourth arrived in 2026.
“AGUA” retains the collaborative format established by those earlier recordings but changes the rhythmic direction. The song uses merengue rather than simply revisiting the musical approach of the previous releases.
The new track therefore adds another distinct entry to their joint catalog while preserving the central feature of their earlier work: a recording built around both artists.
“AGUA” Adds a New Chapter to Their Collaboration
The release gives Shakira and Maluma a fourth shared song and introduces merengue as the defining rhythm of their latest collaboration. The track was released digitally on September 17, with its accompanying music video directed by Hannah Lux Davis.
The song’s release date also places it directly before Shakira’s return to live performances in Madrid. Her 12-show residency begins September 18 as part of the final portion of the Las Mujeres Ya No Lloras World Tour.
Maluma’s current musical work provides a separate context for the release. His recent projects include Loco X Volver, his latest album.
For both artists, the single adds a new recording to their existing catalogs without replacing the earlier collaborations. “Chantaje,” “Trap” and “Clandestino” remain the three previous official songs credited to the pair.
The new song also gives their collaboration a different rhythmic foundation. Its merengue structure, contemporary production and water-centered visual concept distinguish it from the earlier releases while keeping both artists at the center of the recording.
“AGUA” is now the fourth official collaboration between Shakira and Maluma, extending their shared catalog from three songs to four after an eight-year period without a new joint release.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Shakira and Maluma’s new song “AGUA”?
“AGUA” is a new collaboration by Colombian artists Shakira and Maluma. The song uses merengue rhythms with contemporary production and was released in September 2026.
When did Shakira and Maluma release “AGUA”?
“AGUA” was released on September 17, 2026. The release preceded the start of Shakira’s 12-show Madrid residency by one day.
Is “AGUA” a merengue song?
Yes. “AGUA” incorporates merengue rhythms as a central part of its musical arrangement. The production combines the rhythm with contemporary elements and vocals from both artists.
When did Shakira and Maluma last collaborate before “AGUA”?
Their previous collaboration was “Clandestino,” released in 2018. “AGUA” follows that song by eight years.
Which songs have Shakira and Maluma recorded together?
Before “AGUA,” Shakira and Maluma recorded “Chantaje” in 2016, followed by “Trap” and “Clandestino” in 2018. “AGUA” is their fourth official collaboration.











