(Shakira Official Website) - Few would disagree that this was the year of
Shakira around the world. It began in June with the release of her history-making debut Fijacion Oral, vol. 1 and the smash single "
La Tortura" which has not moved from its No 1 spot on the U.S. Latin chart in over 19 weeks. And now, as promised,
Shakira is back with her first English language album since the 13 million selling Laundry Service. The latest album Oral Fixation, vol. 2 is a new body of work which will be released November 29th on Epic Records.
Written and produced by Shakira - along with longtime collaborators Gustavo Cerati, Lester Mendez, Luis Ochoa, and Tim Mitchell -Oral Fixation vol. 2 finds Shakira at an all time creative high. Over the last two years, Shakira penned over sixty new songs; ten critically acclaimed Spanish songs comprise on Fijacion Oral, vol. 1 (which has already sold 3 million copies so far) and a batch of new English songs now make up Oral Fixation, vol. 2. The album also contains two English renditions of "Dia Especial" and "Make Me Believe" from Fijacion Oral, vol. 1 and a new song "Illegal" featuring the legendary Carlos Santana. Both albums are executive produced by Rick Rubin.
On October 9th, AOL hosted a "First Listen" of the Shakira's first single release, the anthemic "Don't Bother" before the song was released to radio airwaves around the world. The video clip – directed by visual artist Jaume – will premiere on MTV's Making the Video on October 27th.
Upon the release of her long awaited Spanish album Fijacion Oral, vol. 1, Shakira made musical and cultural history marking the biggest one week sales and highest chart debut for a Spanish language release in the Soundscan era.
Fijacion Oral vol. l also debuted at No 1 on the Billboard Latin Album chart and at No 1 in Spain, Mexico, Colombia, Central America, Venezuela, Ecuador, Argentina and Chile. The album's first single "La Tortura" featuring Spanish superstar Alejandro Sanz has been No 1 for over 19 weeks on the U.S. Latin charts after fast becoming a No 1 radio smash around the globe. It is still continuing to grow, getting massive airplay among U.S. Top 40 Mainstream radio stations. The song was the No 1 Spanish language ringtone ever. In addition, Shakira's video for "La Tortura" broke new ground as the first Spanish language video added into regular rotation on MTV and VH1.
And when MTV aired Making of the Video: Shakira, it marked the first time in history that MTV broadcasted a Making the Video entirely in Spanish. The video was also nominated for three MTV Video Music Awards - the first ever Spanish language nominated video. Shakira was recently nominated for an American Music Award for Favorite Latin Artist.
In 2001, Shakira went from Latin American superstar to revered musical world power with the release of Laundry Service, her 13x platinum English album, which earned her the title as the biggest Latin female crossover artist in the world. Her career can already boast a string of chart-topping hits in both English and Spanish, career sales of 27 million albums and three Latin Grammys including the Best Latin Pop Album Grammy for her acclaimed MTV Unplugged album.
