Sonoma State Star

Issue date: 3/29/06 Section: Entertainment

Media Credit: Courtesy // upload.wikimedia.org

If you haven't heard of Latin megastar Shakira, you've been sorely missing out. Writing and producing all of her songs, Shakira may be considered a pop icon. But she's got more talent in her pinky than most artists have in their entire bodies. She signed her first record deal with Sony at age 13, graduated high school at age 15, speaks five different languages, and has an IQ of 140…get the picture?

Shaking her hips to the top of the charts, Shakira's latest album "Oral Fixation Vol. 2" is a collection of songs that are politically, religiously, and emotionally charged. Combine that with electric guitar and Latin rhythms and you've got an album full of meaningful songs even you can shake your hips to.

The success of Shakira's previous album, "Fijación Oral Vol. 1" gave her the stepping stone to produce an entirely new album. "Fijación Oral Vol. 1" was nominated for three MTV Video Music Awards and won a whopping five awards at the MTV Video Music Awards Latin America. The album also won a Grammy for Best Latin Rock Album. The hit single "La Tortura" became one of the only Spanish language songs to debut on the US Billboard Hot 100 and reached the highest position for a Spanish song in the United States ever.

With so much to live up to, Shakira's newest music endeavor had a lot riding on it. Thankfully, the production was a success and sales around the world have been prominent.

"Oral Fixation Vol. 2" was released in November 2005, but has recently been re-released to make way for her new single. "Hips Don't Lie" has been taken the airwaves by storm. The song has a mix of Colombian, Haitian, Oriental and Caribbean rhythms, giving it a definite reggaetón beat. With the help of former Fugees member, Wyclef Jean, "Hips Don't Lie" is gradually becoming a popular song worldwide.

Student Jillian Kilmer is a huge fan of the new song. "Shakira and Wyclef make a beautiful blend together. She sounds so strong and beautiful; she makes me want to be Latina!"

The song is a hybrid of sorts, sampling the song "Amor Como El Nuestro" by Jerry Rivera and "Dance Like This" by Wyclef Jean. The combination of Jean and Shakira undeniably make "Hips Don't Lie" the best dance song on the album.

Shakira collaborates with another artist who is arguably one of the greatest guitar players of our time. The track "Illegal" takes the distinguishable sound of Carlos Santana and Shakira's soothing melodies to form a heartfelt ballad. Santana's guitar sticks out greatly and gives the song a soulful sound it deserves. Following in the footsteps of "Smooth" with Rob Thomas and "Game of Love" with Michelle Branch, "Illegal" is another successful Santana collaboration that is certainly worth a listen.

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