|
Shakira's instincts lead her
all over the musical map
YOU
MIGHT JUST CALL Shakira, the international pop music superstar, Miss Universe.
Her earth goddess looks -- long golden locks and Venus di Milo figure -- would
win her any beauty-pageant crown. The reference to "universe" here is invoked in
an artistic sense, however. Yes, she grew up in Colombia, sings primarily in
Spanish and works with Latin music tastemakers such as Emilio Estefan.***But
with her distinctively eclectic music, as evidenced on her breakthrough "Laundry
Service" (2001), Shakira aims for a universal audience.***"When people say,
'She's a Latin artist,' I understand, but I don't really make Latin music, it's
not what I'm known for," said Shakira in an interview Monday, while on her way
to a rehearsal for MTV's "TRL" in Las Vegas. "I am Latin, but there are people
who do that better than I do. I just make music, period. I move in any
direction, wherever my instincts take me." Her instincts take her all over the
musical map for "Fijacion Oral, Volumen 1," out Tuesday, which explodes with an
amazing variety of styles: rock, Eurodisco, lounge, electronica, ballads, metal
and more.
As for what inspired this burst of diversity, "I've been discovering some other
singers, such as Bebel Gilberto from Brazil. And the French new wave, such as
Serge Gainsbourg, Francoise Hardy. Even Brigitte Bardot," she said, with a
laugh.
|
