Acróstico

Rumors began circulating about Shakira's next single being a collaboration with Manuel Turizo titled "Copa Vacía" but plans were scrapped in favor of releasing "Acróstico". On 10 May 2023, just one day before the song's release, Shakira announced "Acróstico" on all of her social media platforms.^[5]

"Acróstico" was co-written by Shakira, Keityn, Luis Fernando Ochoa and L.E.X.U.Z. Colombian songwriter Keityn, who had previously co-written "Te Felicito" and "Monotonía" for Shakira's album, stated in an interview that the inspiration behind the song was the acrostics that her mother used to compose for him when he was a child.^[6] The song thus contains an acrostic of Shakira's child's name "Milan" in the first letters of lines in the first verse, and a similar structure for her other child "Sasha" in the second. The song features vocals from both children.^[7]

Thematically, the song reflects "on a lost love", referable to the divorce between Shakira and Gerard Piqué.^[8][9] The singer explained in an Instagram story the meaning of working with her children during the negotiation period for the divorce of their parents:^[10]

"This year Milan has written songs that have made me tear up, and Sasha has dedicated hours playing the piano and discovering his voice. Both have spent some time with me in the studio, and upon hearing this song, they’ve asked to be part of it. They’ve felt it and interpreted it in their own way and for themselves, with the same passion and emotion of a person who carries music within them. Milan and Sasha, it’s so beautiful to see how you open your wings to make your dreams come true. There’s nothing else that makes me feel more fulfilled than being your mom."

Los Angeles Times's writer Tommy Calle found that the lyrics "show hope, maternal love, unconditional support and overcoming pain, so you can find more words that appear in the song".^[11] Camila Osorio of El País compared "Acróstico" to "TQG" and previous Shakira's songs, writing that the singer does not evoke "anger, revenge, or heartbreak" but she is inspired by "a love letter to her two children" of apology for the sad and troubled time they experienced during the finalization of the divorce.^[12]

The official music video was released four days after the song's release on 15 May 2023.^[16] It was co-directed by Shakira and Jaume De Laiguana. Its cinematography was handled by Rafa Lluch.^[17] It features Shakira playing the piano with her two children Milan and Sasha. Both of her children contributed vocals to the music video version of the song.^[18]

On November 3, 2023, Shakira performed the song for the first time at the 2023 Los 40 Music Awards via a live transmission from Miami accompanied by a piano.^[19] On November 16, Shakira performed the song live at the 24th Annual Latin Grammy Awards. The performance included her sons Milan and Sasha's voices and video on the screen.^[20]

• List of number-one singles of 2023 (Spain)
• List of best-selling singles in Spain