Singer Shakira slammed for Catalan song

Colombian singer Shakira has come under fire in Spain for singing one of the songs on her new album in Catalan.

Since it went public that Shakira, 37, has recorded ‘Boig per tú’ in Catalan, the star’s Twitter account has been bombarded with hundreds of comments criticising the move.

On the album, released today and titled ‘Shakira’, the song ‘Boig per tú’, which translates as ‘Mad for You’, has caused outrage.

Spaniards took to the site to call the singer a “traitor,” “stupid” and “disgusting” and lambasted her for openly supporting the idea of an independent Catalan state.

Twitter messages include:

“Shakira putting out a song in Catalan shows me this girl’s an imbecile.”

Another commenter said: “I already thought Shakira was stupid, but singing a song in Catalan? That just proves it.”

Others saw the potential for global press that the decision deliberately or inadvertently brought: “That Shakira has released a Catalan song on her album? An international idea. Pure merchandising. ”

Critics are saying that the language choice was designed to show support for calls to make the region of Catalonia an independent state.

The singer lives in the Catalan capital, Barcelona, with her husband, FC Barcelona player Gerard Pique, and their young son.

According to El Mundo, the song, performed first by Catalan group Sau, is a favourite of the couple.

She has not yet commented on the online insults and it is not known whether or not claims that she supports Catalonian independence.

Catalonia is currently pushing the Spanish government for a referendum on becoming an independent state.