Yet another artist that so many people are hating on right now. SHAKIRA has shed many layers musically in her career...but she still remains the same humble and intelligent young lady she's always been. She continues to draw from her Spanish and Lebanese roots to give us some of the most exotic songs we've ever heard here in America. The moment she decided to cross over into mainstream radio, SHAKIRA's native country of Colombia seemingly turned their backs on her calling her a "sell-out" and such. If that was the case, I don't think SHAKIRA would ever make reference to where she's from...or go out of the way to open a six-million dollar school in her hometown of Barranquilla.
She has brought us loads of hits like "Ojos Asi", "Donde Estas Corazon?", "Whenever. Wherever", and "Hips Don't Lie". She has sold more than fifty million albums worldwide making her the fourth wealthiest female recording artist (according to Forbes Magazine). She also holds the record for the song that was played MOST in one week according to Nielsen Broadcast Data Systems in American Radio History ("Hips Don't Lie"; 9,637 times). And who can forget how she moves on stage and in her music videos?
Yes...SHAKIRA isn't some new artist that has to battle for the likes of anyone...she's confident, gifted...and legendary in her own right. "She Wolf" has already sold 1.5 million copies worldwide after it was released elsewhere last month. At the last minute, the album was pushed back to November 23rd after it was announced that the tracklist would undergo a facelift. The tracks "Did It Again" and "Give it Up to Me" are noticeably different (for those that followed the information on this album from when its release was first made mention). The former now features an added rap verse from Kid Cudi. "Give it Up To Me" was originally supposed to be featured on Timbaland's upcoming "Shock Value II" with vocals from Flo Rida and Timbaland himself. Instead, Lil' Wayne was added to the final product and the song became part of "She Wolf" as the second official single from the album.
The album features a lot of work reportedly done by The Neptunes. At first, I was a little skeptical about that...but after listening to the CD, I fell in love with it...I think they really embodied her style while adding a modern Hip-Hop and Pop element to it. SHAKIRA's vocals are always mesmerizing and they flow perfectly over the intricate drum rhythms of the Middle East, as well as the flare from the Spanish melodies also included. Three Spanish-language tracks appear and are the alternatives to "She Wolf", "Did It Again" featuring Kid Cudi, and "Why Wait". (THOSE songs are named "Loba", "Lo Hecho Esta Hecho", and "Años Luz", respectively). "Long Time" features a classic Reggae beat to it...but the stronger points come on the up-tempo ballads "Men In This Town" and "Gypsy". SHAKIRA collaborates, once again, with Wyclef Jean on the danceable and coquettish track entitled "Spy".
SHAKIRA will be releasing a full-length Spanish album sometime next year...and she will also embark on a world concert tour as well. But for the moment, take "She Wolf" for what it is...an album with plenty of club songs and awesome melodies grouped together with SHAKIRA's seductive vocals...
And nowhere in the description of this album do I mention her being a "sell-out" ...so quit bitching and enjoy the music because you know DAMN well you'll be the first one at the club acting a fool when one of her songs comes on.
Songs that I Really Enjoyed from the Album:
• She Wolf/Loba
• Did It Again featuring Kid Cudi/Lo Hecho Esta Hecho (Spanish version does NOT include verse with Kid Cudi)
• Long Time
• Why Wait
• Good Stuff
• Men In This Town
• Gypsy
• Spy featuring Wyclef Jean
• Give It Up To Me featuring Lil' Wayne and Timbaland
From SHAKIRA's new album "She Wolf", here's "Mon Amour..."
From the same album, here's "Anos Luz..."
BONUS TRACKS
(iTunes Store and Target)
• Gypsy (Live)
• She Wolf (Live)
• She Wolf (Music Video)
• The Making of 'She Wolf' (Documentary)
• Gypsy (Live)
• Why Wait (Live)
SHAKIRA featuring Lil' Wayne and Timbaland
"Give It Up To Me"
From the album "She Wolf"
Directed by Sophie Muller
(3.01)
COPYRIGHT PROTECTED.
Written by Felix-Lee "Campbells" Andrades, III
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