Shakira recruits Pharrell & Wyclef for new album

[Paxton]

Shakira has recorded with Pharrell Williams and Wyclef Jean for her next album, due later this year from Epic. Sources tell Billboard the artist has also tracked a duet with Calle 13 and may collaborate with algerian artist Khaled.

The Wyclef pairing is a natural, considering the success of their 2006 collaboration "Hips Don't Lie." The track hit No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has sold 2.14 million downloads in the United States, according to Nielsen SoundScan.

The as-yet-untitled album is Shakira's last for Sony Music before embarking on a multi-rights deal with Live Nation. Her last studio sets were the two-volume "Fijacion Oral/Oral Fixation," released five months apart in 2005. Combined, they have sold 2.7 million copies.


Link to the story: http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/shakira-recording-with-pharrell-wyclef-1003931005.story

 

[MCsNo1Fn]

Re: Shakira recruits Pharrell & Wyclef for new alb

As long as it's not all Hips Don't Like Part 2 then I cannot wait. I loved her Laundry Service album as well as Fijación Oral Vol. 1, and Oral Fixation Vol 2.

 

[Aratron]

Re: Shakira recruits Pharrell & Wyclef for new alb

Ugh, wasn't Hips Don't Lie enough?

 

[VanHiscers]

Re: Shakira recruits Pharrell & Wyclef for new alb

By far, Shakira's my favorite singer. Her spanish stuff is great because she always knows what she's doing when writing and singing in Spanish. However, her final album with Epic should be in English according to the contract.

She crossed over to sing English because she wanted to break into the mainstream market of the US, but she's not good at commercial stuff, the first version of Oral Fixation Vol.2 (without Hips Don't Lie) can be the proof.

Therefore, I think it's wise of her to work with Pharrell and Wyclef again on her upcoming English album.

 

[Crackberry]

Re: Shakira recruits Pharrell & Wyclef for new alb

Lame........

 

[VanHiscers]

Re: Shakira recruits Pharrell & Wyclef for new alb

I thought her first English album was brilliant. Objection, Underneath Your Clothes, The One, Que Me Quedes Tu, these were all brilliant tracks, very well-written and imaginative for someone who speaks English as a second language.

Yes Laundry Service was great because she worked on it with Gloria and Emilio Estefan Jr who had more experience about this Spanish-singers-crossing-over-to-English business. But for Oral Fixation projects, she was the big boss.

 

[doctorsun]

Re: Shakira recruits Pharrell & Wyclef for new alb

It sounds like her label is making her stick with pop since that seems to be the only thing that gets her airplay in the US and her rock stuff tends to flop.

Also, this is her last album with Epic, so it's likely that neither her nor the label will be putting their best into it (kind of like Madonna and Hard Candy).

 

[AngelFromAbove]

Re: Shakira recruits Pharrell & Wyclef for new alb

I just realized, these artists aren't entirely to blame.

They compromise and put out pop music because that's what the record-buying public loves, gay men are no exception.

Growing up, all my conversations about music were about lyrical content ie "I could relate to this song" and whatnot.

Nowadays, people ONLY want something to dance to. Real instruments aren't as exciting as synthesizers, introspective songs are the enemy, we want meaningless dance tracks!

Look at the entertainment thread, it's not about musicians and singer-songwriters, it's about pop tarts like Efron and Jonas Bros. and Britney Spears and Madonna.

Record companies put out style over substance because the record-buying public devours style and loathes substance.

You just now realized this Marley? Shame on you.

 

[AngelFromAbove]

Re: Shakira recruits Pharrell & Wyclef for new alb

I've noticed since my teen years, but I lay fault with the artists for three reasons:

1. They take the blame for everything, sometimes I'm guilty of fixating on them.

2. They don't have to sell out. I'd rather perform in hole-in-the-wall bars than compromise my musical integrity.

3. I don't really support pop music so Shakira can't say to me "I make this music because it's what you request." I request the exact opposite.

Well, true to all three. However, think of it like this, as far as number 2 and 3 are concerned:

2. Would you rather not have a career, not knowing when and if you are going to get a gig as opposed to at least doing what you would like to some sort of degree? I know this does not justify selling out, but I'm playing devil's advocate.

3. You as an individual may not request this music, but the masses do. In order for many of these artists not to be dropped from their label, they have to do what sells. Talent has never really mattered in the business; money has always talked.

 

[AngelFromAbove]

Re: Shakira recruits Pharrell & Wyclef for new alb

I see what you're getting at. This is where there is a divide. Some people want to be musicians, some people want to be celebrities. I have no desire to be a celebrity so if my only musical career choice was selling out I'd just find a career path that allowed me to engage my passion.

How many careers are there for a singer, a dancer, or an actor? One can make money, but usually it's not enough to where one can pay the bills, so these kinds of people usually cannot engage the careers that they would like. Eh, I guess there's a catch-22, just like anything else in life.

True, but because I don't support pop music as an individual I'm justified in feeling let down when one of my favorite artist sells out. They can't say they did it to appease me, and by selling out they actually lose some of my fanaticism and respect.

But they gain money in the place of your respect.

 

[doctorsun]

Re: Shakira recruits Pharrell & Wyclef for new alb

I think a lot of artists "sell out" in hopes that it will earn them credibility with their label so they are more willing to let the artist do what they want later in their careers, or at least earn them enough money to split with the label after their contract expires and go off on their own.

In Shakira's case, she hasn't really had enough of the massive hits it takes to earn that leeway from her label (at least in the US). The label let her release the Oral Fixation project, which is a pretty big gamble on their part (two albums are expensive) and it wasn't really successful until Hips Don't Lie came along. So, it's not really unreasonable for the label to suggest that Shakira do more songs like that for this album since that's apparently what brings in the airplay.

In any case, this is her last album with Epic. After this, she'll be with LiveNation, which should give her more room to do what she wants.

 

[AngelFromAbove]

Re: Shakira recruits Pharrell & Wyclef for new alb

Plenty. Commercials, off-broadway, voice-over work. Or, they could do like the rest of us and just get whatever job comes along even if it's not in their desired field.

I've known people who do every thing you mentioned, excluding off-broadway. I have no clue how it works and I will not even pretend as if I know otherwise. What I will say is that commercials and voice-over work are not consistent careers, typically.

That's why u gotta diversify, and keep costs down, do you really need 30 assistants, 2 make-up artists, stylist, all that bullshit can go. half these musicians are broke cuz they lease $30,000 houses, multiples cars, exotic fish flown in from Bangladesh. Get a two bedoom apartment, one car, and a teddy bear.

Well, I should have been more specific. When I was thinking of careers, I was thinking of things that they could do outside of the entertainment industry. I was thinking of something like a dance instructor or vocal coach. I'm sorry for not explaining well.

With that being said, how many vocal coaches do you know, directly or indirectly, can do that solely as a career? Usually, they are relying on other jobs to assist in paying the bills. People who do commercials and voice-over work are usually tied to the entertainment industry.

I don't like doin quotes a lot but this is totally appropriate, what good does it profit a man to gain the world if he loses his soul? If Clive Davis called me right now and offered me a deal but the stipulation is complete control over my musical direction for my entire career, I'd (bite my lip and) decline.

Well, I was joking with my last statement. However, I would not be surprised if artists really thought in such a manner when signing their hundred thousand dollar plus contracts. Let me know how you feel MIL; I know you will.

 

[chatolandia]

Re: Shakira recruits Pharrell & Wyclef for new alb

I felt that her later albums were sell outs, actually

he first few albums were raw, and full of very powerful messages


and she has softened that in order to sell more.


I must agree that at least she has not gone all the way.

 

[AngelFromAbove]

Re: Shakira recruits Pharrell & Wyclef for new alb

I'm not sure if I understand what ur saying. If I'm interpreting this correctly, my response is that I think some people willingly compromise artistic integrity, some have no direction and are okay being guided, others are just naive and think they'll be able to drive their own ship.

I would compromise under the stipulation that I'm given an immediate albeit small percentage of creative control AND atleast the opportunity to earn credibility. I am aware of my shortcomings and understand that creating a quality product requires a level of expertise that I'm nowhere near.

When I made my original statement, I was basically saying do you think some of these people care about your respect or their pockets? Not all people are like this, of course, which is why some sign on major independent labels. When some artists, like Rihanna for example, sign a contract, are they thinking about money or credibility? I know, I know, she was such an obvious choice.

Even if they are on a major label, all they can think about is making their next hit, so that they are not dropped from the label. Ultimately, it comes down to the dollar. I'm not telling you anything of which you are not already aware though.

 

[AngelFromAbove]

Re: Shakira recruits Pharrell & Wyclef for new alb

I'm so jealous of older people who lived when ALBUMS were made, not hit records.

I understand what you're saying. It's just the time in which we live. The music industry is unstable and has been since downloads became available, the economy is horrible, the music industry has been downsized and there are more people competing for the same spots. If it seemed like there was more artistry, there are your reasons.

 

[AngelFromAbove]

Re: Shakira recruits Pharrell & Wyclef for new alb

If music fans were rushing to Erykah Badu and Sade concerts in droves, the labels would be putting Erykah Badus and Sades out.

What we need to change is America's desire for instant gratification and meaningless fluff. Seriously, there are some Americans who will be genuinely offended if you try to talk to them about anything other than how good their hair looks. Just lik being smart in politics makes you "elitist," same thing with music. If I criticize Britney for her poor breath control and bad habits, the bad guy is me rather than the person who isn't taking their job seriously. Americans are terribly afraid of people who actually know what they're doing. We want the idiot to be the champion.

How do you propose that though? As you said, some people do not care to be educated and it's difficult to change personal preferences that have been in them for whatever reasons.