Miami.- Behind good music and many great artists are Emilio and Gloria Estefan. And although the support and affection that the couple has provided to Shakira From his first steps in the music industry, recently the interpreter of Roots He recalled how it was a key piece in the conquest of the Colombian of the Anglo -Saxon public.
During your participation in the program Mollusco TVconducted by announcer Jorge Pabón, the Cuban American revealed details about the first disk Shakira in English, a step that, at least at that time, was not planned on the artist’s agenda or the label.
Gloria recalled that as soon as she met her, he knew that her talent would take her away; But that also meant that he risked to get a complete album in English.
“I fought hard for Shakira because when she entered, that she was going to make the Spanish album with Emilio, I said: ‘You can do this in English. Shaki, the sound of yours, total, you can do this,” he said.
The Barranquillera did not seem to be convinced, either Tommy Mottolawho just wanted to include a couple of songs in English in the project. So Estefan took Inevitable and Eyes Thus, he made the arrangements and sat down with her to practice them before recording.
“I sat with her to phonetically record it. And I say: ‘You see that you can, this can explode,” he said and stressed that if there is something that characterizes Shakira, she is an intelligent woman, fighter and worker.
Despite the support, Mottola still was not at ease with the situation. “I said: ‘Tommy, his audience in Spanish wants to hear it in Spanish, and the public in English will not buy an album for two themes. They are very expensive because it was still when they were selling CD,” he said.
– “That will fail. And if it fails, it will be your fault,” he recalled that the businessman told him.
– “I say, and if it is a success, it will be mine too,” she replied.
Launch
While Estefan does not feel the owner of the success of Laundry Service, the first album of the Colombian completely in English; It does notice that their vision, persistence and support gave the expected fruits.
The musical project broke records selling more than 13 million copies in the world. Eastfan points out that this has been the last album that reached the figure prior to the arrival of the platforms of streaming
He also noted that he never requested any royalty payment for his contributions in the process. “I don’t even want it. She deserves all that, but I had to fajar for her, because she is a great fighter and I knew.”
Gloria emphasized that she feels pride of all Latin artists who succeed in the industry, have their support or not. In addition, she highlighted a phrase that her husband says constantly: “Every time a Latin triumphs, we all succeed.”
