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By Little Judy
I know I only briefly mentioned it last week but
Shakira was simply wonderful in her performance at the MTV
Unplugged taping I attended this month. She did songs from both
her current ("Donde Están Los Ladrones?:") and her debut
album ("Pies Descalzos") with several surprises including a
slow, dark, sexy version of "Estoy Aqui" and an appearance
from a live Mariachi band. But the most exciting moment came
when Shakira donned a traditional belly dancing belt (with the little
bells) and danced an authentic belly dance while singing her middle
eastern inspired "Ojos Aquí". The audience went crazy!
She is so beautiful and so tremendously talented and
so...YOUNG! It took my breath away to think that she is only 22
and has done this much creatlively in her last two albums. In her
press conference that followed the taping Shakira spoke about how hard
she is working right now and will continue to work over the next year.
Currently she is planning a concert and tour and is also working with
the Estefans on her upcoming English album slated to be released next
year.
Although her career takes her around the world, she
still feels a strong bond with her people and her country. What's
happening in Colombia right now is difficult, says Shakira, but she has
faith in the great Colombian family and that things will improve. This
passion extends for everything in her life, and its no wonder that it
spills over in to her music. Much of her lyrics, she says, are
personal and autobiographical, but it still remains a mystery sometimes.
One never know where or when inspiration will hit, says the singer.
"I've even had inspiration while taking a shower!" she laughs.
The inspiration is a gift, and Shakira recognizes it.
That's why she feels she has a responsiblity to her people and her
public to create the very best work she can. This particular
project for MTV was exciting and challenging. She put together a
team of people that she felt could make great music and work really well
together. Luis Ochoa arranged most of the music with her, and the
team of musicians had a great and attitude and "really good
vibes."
Shakira says It has been a year of many surprises and
much excitement for her with the MTV Unplugged show being one of the
highlights. In addition, Shakira was on the cover of Newsweek magazine
in their issue on Latino culture in America. She's also been
picked to do a huge megabucks advertising campaign for Pepsi and will be
featured on
NBC for Hispanic Heritage Month.
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