Many artists today attempting to attain international celebrity by releasing music in multiple territories and languages have quite simply failed. Beyonce, one of the world’s biggest billboard -droppers today has attempted numerous times (Amor Gitano, Irremplazable, Oye) and yet many still don’t even know she tried. And failed.
Nelly Furtado ambitiously trotted into Shakira’s territory with ler latest release, Mi Plan. Her plan in actuality is quite simple: “It’s not so much about the lyrics or the language, it’s about the emotion, the whole package”, states Furtado. Realizing that many of her fans can sing along to her songs in English without a hint of knowledge of the language, she decided to branch out and tackle the unifying feeling.
Upon listening to her new album, it’s amazing to me that Spanish is her third – yes third – language. Spanish is a language she pursued in high school, and the language of preferred communication between her and her now Cuban-American husband. The practice has paid off; her Spanish is beautiful for a non-native speaker, and it’s obvious why she had no qualms about releasing a full-length Spanish album, despite rating her own fluency between 50-60%.
Latin America was paying attention too, and it’s a good thing. Nelly’s own record label, NelStar Music, commanded the collaboration of such widely acclaimed stars as Mexican Alejandro Fernández, bachata legend Juan Luis Guerra, songwriter and friend Alex Cuba, the hauntingly emotional Concha Buika, and even has the not-linguistically shy Josh Groban singing in a Spanish duet “Silencio”. The album release follows a one-year sabbatical in which she enjoyed strengthening the bonds of motherhood with her daughter Nevis, 6.
Her album has already reached the highest sales for a Latin Pop debut in 2009. As for 2010? Look for a new English release with the god of tracks, Timbaland.
Check out a preview of her entire album here (my favorite is Fuerte, ft. Concha Buika!)
