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Changes in Enrique Iglesias' Life
At the dawn of the new millennium, Enrique Iglesias was the best-selling Latin recording artist in the world. The son of multi-million-selling singer Julio Iglesias, Enrique was born in Madrid, Spain, where he lived with his mother, his brother Julio, and his sister Chabeli. In 1982, his mother sent them to live in Miami with their father. While there, Enrique was exposed to three different cultures and musical influences: Hispanic, European, and American. Iglesias’ own career started when he was still attending Gulliver Private School, a very prestigious school in Miami. After a year studying business at the University of Miami, he decided to follow his passion for music.
Enrique led the life of a typical teen while growing up in Miami. He started writing and recording songs without telling his parents about it. In 1995, he sang in person for his soon-to-be manager, who at Iglesias’ insistence of not wanting to use his family name, first shopped his demos as an unknown Central American singer named Enrique Martinez. In fact, he shopped his first demo posing as a Central American unknown named Enrique Martínez. He made his singing debut in a production of Hello, Dolly, after which he began practicing his singing without his parents knowing. Only after landing a record contract with regional Mexican label Fonovisa, did Enrique decide to use his real name. Recorded in Spanish, his self-titled debut sold more than a million copies in the first three months after it was released (to this day, it has sold over seven million). It wasn’t until he earned a record deal with Fonovisa that Enrique told his father and mother of his aspirations. Then he flew to Toronto, where no one knew him and he could concentrate just on music, to record for five months.
That first album, Enrique Iglesias (1995), sold more than a million copies in three months (it earned him his first gold record in Portugal in a mere seven days) and to date has sold more than six million worldwide.
His second effort, 1997's "Vivir," broke into the U.S. Top 40 and was promoted with the first of many lavishly produced world tours. Within three years, Enrique became the biggest-selling Spanish-language singer in the world. He has enjoyed 16 #1 Billboard Latin hits, more than any other artist in history. Enrique was now ready to expand his audience beyond the Latin market enjoying global sales of more than five million discs and launched his first world tour, backed by sidemen for Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, and Billy Joel. In a mere three years, Iglesias had sold more than 17 million Spanish-language albums, more than anyone else during that period. (The U.S. was his biggest market.)
He also won the 1996 Grammy for Best Latin Performer, 1996’s Billboard Artist
of the Year, Billboard’s Album of the Year for Vivir, two American Music Awards, a World Music Award, eight Premio Lo Nuestro awards, two ACE Performer of the Year awards, and ASCAP prizes for Best Composer of 1996 and 1997, in addition to countless accolades around the world.
His follow-up album, COSAS DEL AMOR was another Latino smash-hit. Within three years, Enrique became the biggest-selling Spanish-language singer in the world. He has enjoyed 16 #1 Billboard Latin hits, more than any other artist in history. With Cosas del Amor, Iglesias moved to more mature content; his earlier material had been written when he was 17 years old. Then came Enrique, his first Interscope album and first in English. It achieved gold or platinum status in 32 countries and brought his global album sales to a total of more than 23 million.
Enrique was now ready to expand his audience beyond the Latin market.
Released in 1999, "Enrique" was his first English album, and the first one recorded for Interscope. It included the mega-hits "Bailamos" (We Dance), "Rhythm Divine," "Be With You," and "Could I Have This Kiss Forever," a duet with Whitney Houston. In the U.S., the platinum album was certified double, and Enrique was seen by millions during the 2000 Super Bowl halftime show. "Enrique" achieved gold or platinum status in 32 countries. The singer would eventually become the best selling international artist of all time in India.
In June 2000, radio personality Howard Stern received a tape of a supposedly off-key MP3 of Iglesias singing, along to the track "Rhythm Divine". Stern played this humorous clip throughout the week on his radio show insinuating that Iglesias lip synched and couldn't sing well outside the studio, even suggesting that Iglesias himself did not sing on his albums, comparing him to Milli Vanilli. Iglesias flew straight in to New York to appear on Stern's show, singing acoustic versions of "Rhythm Divine" and "Be with You", after which Stern told Iglesias he had silenced his critics. Iglesias would go on to say that controversy and his appearance on the show was the best promotion he could have.
In 2002, Enrique began filming the music video for his single "Escape" which included the hits "Hero" and "Escapar," and cemented Enrique's superstar status in Europe by selling 10 million copies. Both the album and single of the same name were simultaneously the #1 album and single in the U.K.
While filming, he would meet his long time companion and significant other, Russian tennis star Anna Kournikova. Many reports started showing up in 2007 of them splitting, and in 2008, after Enrique making a publicity joke, people made accusations of the couple being formerly married and now divorced. Enrique has stated in interviews after that that it was simply a joke, and they are still very much together.
In 2001 he released the follow-up, Escape. Iglesias alternated Spanish- and English-language albums during the next two years, first offering the ballad
collection Quizás in 2002, then the mainstream English record 7 in 2003.
Four years later the single “Do You Know (The Ping Pong Song)” announced the coming of his 2007 album Insomniac.
Entitled "Quizás," Enrique's fourth Spanish-language album established him as one of the few recording artists ever to score a U.S. multiplatinum English-language album ("Escape") followed by a U.S. multiplatinum Spanish-language album ("Quizas").
Enrique's success continued in 2003 with his aptly titled seventh album "7,"
Another creation of hot good-looker Enrique Iglesias is finally released. During the hiatus – last album Seven was released in 2003 – there have happened some changes in the pop-star's life.
Insomniac full of Surprises
You would think that Enrique Iglesias has nothing left to prove.
After all, the Madrid-born, Miami-raised singer has sold 40 million albums in little over a decade, becoming one of the most successful artists in the history of popular music.
Then again, Enrique is not your average pop star. Consider this: the singer has spent the past three years crafting his latest album.
Three years of non-stop traveling, writing, recording, pressing the 'delete' button, only to begin all over again until he's 100% sure that his vision is perfectly realized.
Thus began the three year journey with stops in Miami, Los Angeles and Sweden, as well as the contribution of renowned producers such as Sean Garret, Max Martin, Kristian Lundin, Mark Taylor & Paul Barry, and Anders Bagge.
Now, it finally has. Entitled "Insomniac," a humorous nod to Enrique's sleepless nights and obsessive artistic persona, the record is clearly the most ambitious project of his phenomenal career.
"When I started this process, I wasn't really sure of the specific sound that I was looking for," Enrique says over breakfast at a posh hotel in Beverly Hills. "What I did know was that I wanted to have a respectable repertoire of songs to begin with. On my previous records, I would always start with a dozen ideas. This time, I wrote between 40 and 50 new tunes."
Enrique also spent a long time pondering the specific qualities of the project's sound. Should it be seeped in hip-hop and electronic beats--a prerequisite for commercial success in the new millennium?
"I guess at first I did want to consciously make a record that had a cool sound to it," he says candidly. "But then I said to myself: 'fuck that. I don't want to take myself too seriously.' The truth is, I just want to write songs that I like. It's as simple as that.”
Setting the stage for the artistic odyssey that culminates now with the release of "Insomniac." "I've never suffered so much making an album," says Enrique with a laugh. "It was a journey of soul searching and self discovery for me." "I'm not gonna claim as we all artist do with a new album that this is my best album ever, or the one with the best production or the best songs," he concludes. "One thing is for sure, though. I gave myself completely into the making of this one record--heart and soul."
"When I make a record, I work at night," says Enrique. "So basically I've spent three years working at night and sleeping during the day. I've been hyperactive all my life. The word insomniac was the first that came to mind when I was trying to come up with a suitable title for the album.
It is obvious that Insomniac is a huge step forward for Enrique Iglesias proving that he is not indifferent to what the mainstream is and at the same time is not about to reject his passionate and gentle manner of performance. It is clear from the songs' texts how hard it has been for the singer to go through a break up of rather long term relations, and sometimes it sounds like there has appeared some depth in his voice. In any case, his vocals keep evolving and the stylistic modifications allow them to be utterly revealed. And after quite a failure Seven has been Insomniac easily brings back the positions Enrique Iglesias has almost lost.
Some of the songs on Insomniac have already managed to enter television but most of the tracks are going to surprise the listeners with a R&B like beat that is new for Enrique Iglesias.
For instance, slow opener Ring My Bells could be heard in the Tommy Hilfiger fragrance promotion, it is a gorgeous, light and danceable composition.
The second on the list is that very song performed with Lil' Wayne, Push, Enrique's first work with rap on it.
The first single off the album, Do You Know? (The Ping Pong Song) is remarkable for a faster tempo and is based on the contrast between calm verses and a very emotional chorus. The song is devoted to Enrique's great love Anna Kournikova, as well as track Miss You, whose name speaks for itself.
Song Somebody's Me is refined with impetuous rhythm, whereas On Top Of You
is a beautiful melodious track perfect for a slow dance.
Enrique is demonstrating his individuality on a cover of Ringside's Tired Of Being Sorry by adding Spanish guitars to its instrumental background, which reminds of his early works.
One of the most beautiful and catchy tunes is on Wish I Was Your Lover, and due to a wonderful arrangement the song is sure to give many the creeps.
Sad song Little Girl tells about a girl growing into a famous woman who is not happy and in her heart remains little.
Great tracks Stay Here Tonight and Sweet Isabel again remind of older songs, both are melodious and loveable.
To close the album Iglesias has prepared another surprise – three songs in Spanish – they are Dimelo,
the Spanish version of Do You Know? (The Ping Pong Song),
Alguien Soy Yo (Somebody's Me) and a rhythmic composition Amigo Vulnerable.
"Some of the record's highlights include "Push," a hip-hop flavored collaboration with rapper Lil' Wayne, as well as "Ring My Bell," a moody track that Enrique wrote in Los Angeles together with two of his favorite songwriting partners, Swedish composer Kristian Lundin (Savan Kotecha also collaborated on the track).
"Do you know those moments in life when you stumble a little, and you accidentally discover something that changes you?," asks Enrique in his typically casual, unpretentious demeanor. "That's exactly what happened to me with 'Ring My Bell.' It wasn't a dramatic change, but the feeling of that song changed my opinion of what the album should be all about."
"The recording of 'Push' was very similar that way," he continues. "I had experimented with the stylistic innovations of hip-hop before, but I had never felt really comfortable with it. This time, it was a completely different experience. In fact, there's not a song in the entire album where I'm trying to be someone that I'm not." As Enrique continued on his personal search of songwriting discovery and recording experimentation, "Insomniac" underwent a metamorphosis.
"If you listened to the album two years ago, it has nothing to do with what it is today," he says. In its final incarnation, "Insomniac" contains twelve songs in English and three in Spanish. There is an additional 20 tracks that were recorded during those lengthy sessions, but ultimately abandoned when they didn't meet Enrique's strict standards for the album. "I could have made a second album if I wanted to," he explains. "But I don't think those songs will ever see the light of day." He adds: "If they're called b-sides, then they shouldn't be on an album."
1995-1997 Enrique Iglesias
On July 12,1995 Iglesias released his first album titled Enrique Iglesias, a collection of light rock ballads, including such mega-hits as "Si Tú Te Vas", "Experiencia Religiosa", and others. The record sold half a million copies in its first week, a rare accomplishment then for an album recorded in a language other than English.
His song " por Amarte" was included in Televisa's telenovela Marisol, but with a twist: instead of Por amarte daría mi vida (To love you, I'd give my life), the words were Por amarte Marisol, moriría (To love you, Marisol, I'd die). The CD also yielded Italian and Portuguese editions of the album, with most of the songs translated into those languages.
Five singles released from this album, such as "Por Amarte", "No Llores Por Mí", and "Trapecista" topped the Latin charts. The album went on to win Iglesias a Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Performance.
Enrique led the life of a typical teen while growing up in Miami. He started writing and recording songs without telling his parents about it. In 1995, he sang in person for his soon-to-be manager, who at Iglesias’ insistence of not wanting to use his family name, first shopped his demos as an unknown Central American singer named Enrique Martinez. In fact, he shopped his first demo posing as a Central American unknown named Enrique Martínez. He made his singing debut in a production of Hello, Dolly, after which he began practicing his singing without his parents knowing. Only after landing a record contract with regional Mexican label Fonovisa, did Enrique decide to use his real name. Recorded in Spanish, his self-titled debut sold more than a million copies in the first three months after it was released (to this day, it has sold over seven million). It wasn’t until he earned a record deal with Fonovisa that Enrique told his father and mother of his aspirations. Then he flew to Toronto, where no one knew him and he could concentrate just on music, to record for five months.
That first album, Enrique Iglesias (1995), sold more than a million copies in three months (it earned him his first gold record in Portugal in a mere seven days) and to date has sold more than six million worldwide.
His second effort, 1997's "Vivir," broke into the U.S. Top 40 and was promoted with the first of many lavishly produced world tours. Within three years, Enrique became the biggest-selling Spanish-language singer in the world. He has enjoyed 16 #1 Billboard Latin hits, more than any other artist in history. Enrique was now ready to expand his audience beyond the Latin market enjoying global sales of more than five million discs and launched his first world tour, backed by sidemen for Elton John, Bruce Springsteen, and Billy Joel. In a mere three years, Iglesias had sold more than 17 million Spanish-language albums, more than anyone else during that period. (The U.S. was his biggest market.)
He also won the 1996 Grammy for Best Latin Performer, 1996’s Billboard Artist
of the Year, Billboard’s Album of the Year for Vivir, two American Music Awards, a World Music Award, eight Premio Lo Nuestro awards, two ACE Performer of the Year awards, and ASCAP prizes for Best Composer of 1996 and 1997, in addition to countless accolades around the world.
His follow-up album, COSAS DEL AMOR was another Latino smash-hit. Within three years, Enrique became the biggest-selling Spanish-language singer in the world. He has enjoyed 16 #1 Billboard Latin hits, more than any other artist in history. With Cosas del Amor, Iglesias moved to more mature content; his earlier material had been written when he was 17 years old. Then came Enrique, his first Interscope album and first in English. It achieved gold or platinum status in 32 countries and brought his global album sales to a total of more than 23 million.
Enrique was now ready to expand his audience beyond the Latin market.
Released in 1999, "Enrique" was his first English album, and the first one recorded for Interscope. It included the mega-hits "Bailamos" (We Dance), "Rhythm Divine," "Be With You," and "Could I Have This Kiss Forever," a duet with Whitney Houston. In the U.S., the platinum album was certified double, and Enrique was seen by millions during the 2000 Super Bowl halftime show. "Enrique" achieved gold or platinum status in 32 countries. The singer would eventually become the best selling international artist of all time in India.
In June 2000, radio personality Howard Stern received a tape of a supposedly off-key MP3 of Iglesias singing, along to the track "Rhythm Divine". Stern played this humorous clip throughout the week on his radio show insinuating that Iglesias lip synched and couldn't sing well outside the studio, even suggesting that Iglesias himself did not sing on his albums, comparing him to Milli Vanilli. Iglesias flew straight in to New York to appear on Stern's show, singing acoustic versions of "Rhythm Divine" and "Be with You", after which Stern told Iglesias he had silenced his critics. Iglesias would go on to say that controversy and his appearance on the show was the best promotion he could have.
In 2002, Enrique began filming the music video for his single "Escape" which included the hits "Hero" and "Escapar," and cemented Enrique's superstar status in Europe by selling 10 million copies. Both the album and single of the same name were simultaneously the #1 album and single in the U.K.
While filming, he would meet his long time companion and significant other, Russian tennis star Anna Kournikova. Many reports started showing up in 2007 of them splitting, and in 2008, after Enrique making a publicity joke, people made accusations of the couple being formerly married and now divorced. Enrique has stated in interviews after that that it was simply a joke, and they are still very much together.
In 2001 he released the follow-up, Escape. Iglesias alternated Spanish- and English-language albums during the next two years, first offering the ballad
collection Quizás in 2002, then the mainstream English record 7 in 2003.
Four years later the single “Do You Know (The Ping Pong Song)” announced the coming of his 2007 album Insomniac.
Entitled "Quizás," Enrique's fourth Spanish-language album established him as one of the few recording artists ever to score a U.S. multiplatinum English-language album ("Escape") followed by a U.S. multiplatinum Spanish-language album ("Quizas").
Enrique's success continued in 2003 with his aptly titled seventh album "7,"
Another creation of hot good-looker Enrique Iglesias is finally released. During the hiatus – last album Seven was released in 2003 – there have happened some changes in the pop-star's life.
Insomniac full of Surprises
You would think that Enrique Iglesias has nothing left to prove.
After all, the Madrid-born, Miami-raised singer has sold 40 million albums in little over a decade, becoming one of the most successful artists in the history of popular music.
Then again, Enrique is not your average pop star. Consider this: the singer has spent the past three years crafting his latest album.
Three years of non-stop traveling, writing, recording, pressing the 'delete' button, only to begin all over again until he's 100% sure that his vision is perfectly realized.
Thus began the three year journey with stops in Miami, Los Angeles and Sweden, as well as the contribution of renowned producers such as Sean Garret, Max Martin, Kristian Lundin, Mark Taylor & Paul Barry, and Anders Bagge.
Now, it finally has. Entitled "Insomniac," a humorous nod to Enrique's sleepless nights and obsessive artistic persona, the record is clearly the most ambitious project of his phenomenal career.
"When I started this process, I wasn't really sure of the specific sound that I was looking for," Enrique says over breakfast at a posh hotel in Beverly Hills. "What I did know was that I wanted to have a respectable repertoire of songs to begin with. On my previous records, I would always start with a dozen ideas. This time, I wrote between 40 and 50 new tunes."
Enrique also spent a long time pondering the specific qualities of the project's sound. Should it be seeped in hip-hop and electronic beats--a prerequisite for commercial success in the new millennium?
"I guess at first I did want to consciously make a record that had a cool sound to it," he says candidly. "But then I said to myself: 'fuck that. I don't want to take myself too seriously.' The truth is, I just want to write songs that I like. It's as simple as that.”
Setting the stage for the artistic odyssey that culminates now with the release of "Insomniac." "I've never suffered so much making an album," says Enrique with a laugh. "It was a journey of soul searching and self discovery for me." "I'm not gonna claim as we all artist do with a new album that this is my best album ever, or the one with the best production or the best songs," he concludes. "One thing is for sure, though. I gave myself completely into the making of this one record--heart and soul."
"When I make a record, I work at night," says Enrique. "So basically I've spent three years working at night and sleeping during the day. I've been hyperactive all my life. The word insomniac was the first that came to mind when I was trying to come up with a suitable title for the album.
It is obvious that Insomniac is a huge step forward for Enrique Iglesias proving that he is not indifferent to what the mainstream is and at the same time is not about to reject his passionate and gentle manner of performance. It is clear from the songs' texts how hard it has been for the singer to go through a break up of rather long term relations, and sometimes it sounds like there has appeared some depth in his voice. In any case, his vocals keep evolving and the stylistic modifications allow them to be utterly revealed. And after quite a failure Seven has been Insomniac easily brings back the positions Enrique Iglesias has almost lost.
Some of the songs on Insomniac have already managed to enter television but most of the tracks are going to surprise the listeners with a R&B like beat that is new for Enrique Iglesias.
For instance, slow opener Ring My Bells could be heard in the Tommy Hilfiger fragrance promotion, it is a gorgeous, light and danceable composition.
The second on the list is that very song performed with Lil' Wayne, Push, Enrique's first work with rap on it.
The first single off the album, Do You Know? (The Ping Pong Song) is remarkable for a faster tempo and is based on the contrast between calm verses and a very emotional chorus. The song is devoted to Enrique's great love Anna Kournikova, as well as track Miss You, whose name speaks for itself.
Song Somebody's Me is refined with impetuous rhythm, whereas On Top Of You
is a beautiful melodious track perfect for a slow dance.
Enrique is demonstrating his individuality on a cover of Ringside's Tired Of Being Sorry by adding Spanish guitars to its instrumental background, which reminds of his early works.
One of the most beautiful and catchy tunes is on Wish I Was Your Lover, and due to a wonderful arrangement the song is sure to give many the creeps.
Sad song Little Girl tells about a girl growing into a famous woman who is not happy and in her heart remains little.
Great tracks Stay Here Tonight and Sweet Isabel again remind of older songs, both are melodious and loveable.
To close the album Iglesias has prepared another surprise – three songs in Spanish – they are Dimelo,
the Spanish version of Do You Know? (The Ping Pong Song),
Alguien Soy Yo (Somebody's Me) and a rhythmic composition Amigo Vulnerable.
"Some of the record's highlights include "Push," a hip-hop flavored collaboration with rapper Lil' Wayne, as well as "Ring My Bell," a moody track that Enrique wrote in Los Angeles together with two of his favorite songwriting partners, Swedish composer Kristian Lundin (Savan Kotecha also collaborated on the track).
"Do you know those moments in life when you stumble a little, and you accidentally discover something that changes you?," asks Enrique in his typically casual, unpretentious demeanor. "That's exactly what happened to me with 'Ring My Bell.' It wasn't a dramatic change, but the feeling of that song changed my opinion of what the album should be all about."
"The recording of 'Push' was very similar that way," he continues. "I had experimented with the stylistic innovations of hip-hop before, but I had never felt really comfortable with it. This time, it was a completely different experience. In fact, there's not a song in the entire album where I'm trying to be someone that I'm not." As Enrique continued on his personal search of songwriting discovery and recording experimentation, "Insomniac" underwent a metamorphosis.
"If you listened to the album two years ago, it has nothing to do with what it is today," he says. In its final incarnation, "Insomniac" contains twelve songs in English and three in Spanish. There is an additional 20 tracks that were recorded during those lengthy sessions, but ultimately abandoned when they didn't meet Enrique's strict standards for the album. "I could have made a second album if I wanted to," he explains. "But I don't think those songs will ever see the light of day." He adds: "If they're called b-sides, then they shouldn't be on an album."
Music Career
1995-1997 Enrique Iglesias
On July 12,1995 Iglesias released his first album titled Enrique Iglesias, a collection of light rock ballads, including such mega-hits as "Si Tú Te Vas", "Experiencia Religiosa", and others. The record sold half a million copies in its first week, a rare accomplishment then for an album recorded in a language other than English.
His song " por Amarte" was included in Televisa's telenovela Marisol, but with a twist: instead of Por amarte daría mi vida (To love you, I'd give my life), the words were Por amarte Marisol, moriría (To love you, Marisol, I'd die). The CD also yielded Italian and Portuguese editions of the album, with most of the songs translated into those languages.
Five singles released from this album, such as "Por Amarte", "No Llores Por Mí", and "Trapecista" topped the Latin charts. The album went on to win Iglesias a Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Performance.
1997-1998 Vivir
In 1997, Iglesias' star continued to rise with the release of Vivir (To Live), which put him up with other English language music superstars in sales for that year. The album also included a cover version of the Yazoo song "Only You", translated into Spanish as "Solo en Tí".
Insisting on stadiums, that summer, Enrique, backed by sidemen for Elton John, Bruce Springsteen and Billy Joel, played to sold-out audiences in sixteen countries. Beginning the tour in Odessa, Texas the tour went on to three consecutive nights in Mexico's Plaza de Toros, two consecutive nights at Monterrey's Auditorio Coca Cola and two at the Estadio River Plate in Buenos Aires, Argentina to over a hundred and thirty thousand people as well as nineteen arenas in the U.S. The tour is considered by many to be the biggest tour by a non-English speaking act of that time.
Three singles released from Vivir ("Enamorado Por Primera Vez", "Sólo en Ti" and "Miente") topped the Latin singles chart as well as those in several Spanish-speaking countries. Along with his father and Luis Miguel, Iglesias was nominated for an American Music Award in the first-ever awarded category of Favorite Latin Artist. It was said beforehand that the elder Iglesias would walk out if he did not win the award. Iglesias lost out to his father this time, but did perform the song "Lluvia Cae" at the event.
1998-1999 Cosas del Amor
In 1998, Iglesias released his third album, Cosas del Amor (Things of Love). Taking a more mature musical direction, the album, aided by the popular singles "Esperanza" and "Nunca Te Olvidaré", both of which topped the Latin singles chart, helped cement his status in the Latin music scene.
Iglesias did a short tour of smaller venues to accompany the release of the album, with one show being televised from Acapulco, Mexico. This was followed by a larger world tour of over eighty shows in even bigger venues. The Cosas del Amor Tour was the first ever concert tour sponsored by McDonald's.
He won an American Music Award in the category of Favorite Latin Artist against Ricky Martin and Los Tigres del Norte. The song "Nunca te Olvidaré" was also used as the theme music for a Spanish soap opera of the same name and he sang the song himself on the last episode of the series.
In 1998, Iglesias released his third album, Cosas del Amor (Things of Love). Taking a more mature musical direction, the album, aided by the popular singles "Esperanza" and "Nunca Te Olvidaré", both of which topped the Latin singles chart, helped cement his status in the Latin music scene.
Iglesias did a short tour of smaller venues to accompany the release of the album, with one show being televised from Acapulco, Mexico. This was followed by a larger world tour of over eighty shows in even bigger venues. The Cosas del Amor Tour was the first ever concert tour sponsored by McDonald's.
He won an American Music Award in the category of Favorite Latin Artist against Ricky Martin and Los Tigres del Norte. The song "Nunca te Olvidaré" was also used as the theme music for a Spanish soap opera of the same name and he sang the song himself on the last episode of the series.
1999-2000 Enrique
By 1999, Iglesias had begun a successful crossover career into the English language music market. Thanks to other successful crossover acts, most notably that of Ricky Martin, Latino artists and music had a great surge in popularity in mainstream music. Iglesias' contribution to the soundtrack of Will Smith's movie Wild Wild West, "Bailamos" became a number one hit in the US.
After the success of "Bailamos", several mainstream record labels were eager to sign Enrique. Signing a multi-album deal after weeks of negotiations with Interscope, Iglesias recorded and released his first full CD in English, Enrique. The pop album, with some Latin influences, took two months to complete and contained a duet with Whitney Houston called "Could I Have This Kiss Forever" and a cover of the Bruce Springsteen song "Sad Eyes". The album's third single, "Be With You", became his second number one.
2001-2002 Escape
Iglesias followed up in 2001 with the album Escape. Where most of the Latin crossover acts of the previous year experienced some difficulty matching the record sales of their first English language albums, Iglesias actually went on to sell even more. The album's first single, "Hero", became a number one hit in the United Kingdom, and in many other countries. The entire album was co-written by Iglesias.
Escape is his biggest commercial success to date. The singles "Escape" and "Don't Turn Off The Lights" became radio staples, fairing well and placing highly or topping various charts both in North America and elsewhere. A second edition of the album was released internationally and contained a new version of one of Enrique's favorite tracks, "Maybe", as well as a duet with Lionel Richie called "To Love a Woman".
Iglesias capitalized on the album's success with his "One-Night Stand World Tour" consisting of 50 sold-out shows in 16 countries. Including Radio City Music Hall and three consecutive nights in London's Royal Albert Hall, the tour ended with a big show at Stadium National Lia Manoliu in Bucharest, Romania. The concert launched MTV Romania, with the video for "Love to See You Cry" being the first to be shown on the channel.
The second leg of the tour, "Don't Turn Off The Lights", was completed in the summer of 2002, with two sold-out nights in Madison Square Garden and another two in Mexico's National Auditorium. The tour finished with a single show in the Roberto Clemente Coliseum in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He wrote this song for his son who had died from cancer
The final single from the album was the song "You're My #1", re-recorded and released in selected territories as a duet with local acts - Alsou in Russia, Sandy & Junior in Brazil and Valen Hsu in Asia.
2002-2003 Quizás
Returning to his native language, and hot on the heels of his biggest-selling album, in 2002, Iglesias chose to release a fourth Spanish-language album titled Quizás (Perhaps). A more polished musical production than his previous Spanish albums and containing more introspective songs, the album's title track is a song about the strained relationship Iglesias has with his famous father.
In 2002, Iglesias chose to release a fourth Spanish-language album titled Quizás (Perhaps). A more polished musical production than his previous Spanish albums and containing more introspective songs, the album's title track is a song about the strained relationship Iglesias has with his famous father.
The album debuted at number 12 on the Billboard 200 albums chart, the highest placement of a Spanish language album on the chart at the time. Quizás sold a million copies in a week, making it the fastest-selling album in Spanish in 5 years. The three singles released from the album all ended up topping the Latin chart, giving Iglesias a total of 16 number ones on the chart. He currently holds the record for the most number one singles on Billboard's Latin Chart. His last single from the album, "Para Que la Vida", reached a million spins on U.S. radio, the only Spanish language song to do so.
The video to the song "Quizás" was the first Spanish language music video to be added to the selection on MTV's popular show Total Request Live. Iglesias performed the song on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, becoming the first to sing a Spanish song on the show, and opening doors for other artists such as Ricky Martin, Juanes and Jorge Drexler to perform their Spanish material. Iglesias included songs from Quizás in his "Don't Turn Off the Lights Tour", and the album went on to win a Latin Grammy Award for Best Pop Vocal Album.
By 2003 Iglesias released his seventh album, which he called 7, the second to be co-written by Iglesias. Among its more 1980s-inspired material, it features the song "Roamer", which he wrote with his friend and longtime guitarist, Tony Bruno. The CD also contained the song "Be Yourself", a song about independence (the chorus talks about how Iglesias' own parents did not believe he'd ever succeed in his singing career). The first single was the song "Addicted", and was followed closely by a remix of the song "Not in Love", featuring Kelis.
With this album, Iglesias went on his biggest world tour to date. The highly publicised tour started with twelve shows in the United States ending with Iglesias playing at Houston Rodeo and continued on to several countries, most of which he'd never previously visited playing to sold-out arenas and stadiums in Australia, India, Egypt and Singapore before ending his tour in South Africa.
2003-2004 7
In 2003, Iglesias released his seventh album, which he called 7, the second to be co-written by Iglesias. Among its more 1980s-inspired material, it features the song "Roamer", which he wrote with his friend and longtime guitarist, Tony Bruno. The CD also contained the song "Be Yourself", a song about independence (the chorus talks about how Iglesias' own parents didn't believe he'd ever succeed in his singing career). The first single was the song "Addicted", and was followed closely by a remix of the song "Not in Love", featuring Kelis.
With this album, Iglesias went on his biggest world tour to date. The highly publicised tour started with twelve shows in the United States ending with Iglesias playing at Houston Rodeo and continued on to several countries, most of which he'd never previously visited playing to sold-out arenas and stadiums in Australia, India, Egypt and Singapore before ending his tour in South Africa.
In 2003 Enrique Iglesias starred in Once Upon a Time in Mexico, playing the role of Lorenzo, who carried a flame thrower disguised as a guitar case.
2004-2006 Post Seven activities
While recording new material Iglesias usualy forgoes public apearances but during this period he made a number of guest appearances in the media. He was a guest on Oprah Winfrey's talk show, surprising one of his fans and spending the day with her. He also appeared at the Premios Juventud and was a musical guest on the final broadcast of Diego Maradona's television show in Argentina and few days later performed at a christmas concert in support of the Special Olympics.
Iglesias has also attended various promotional events for the Tommy Hilfiger fragrance called True Star Men, which he is endorsing. Enrique stars in the commercial for the fragrance itself with the theme song "Ring My Bells" which was a track on his the forthcoming album. Iglesias also appeared on the season finale of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition singing a song called "Somebody's Me", also from his latest album.
More recently, Iglesias has also performed live in one-off concerts in Italy, Uruguay and Israel, as well as performing at a festival for MTV in Malaga alongside Paulina Rubio and has completed a series of concerts in the States. The "For the Fans Tour" featured much of his older repertoire as well as new songs in both English and Spanish. Iglesias appeared on the May 7, 2007 episode of CBS' Two and a Half Men as 'Fernando' the Handyman.
The first single, "Do You Know? (The Ping Pong Song)" from his new album Insomniac released on June 12 was premiered on Ryan Seacrest's radio show on KIIS-FM on Tuesday, April 10, 2007. Enrique performed "Do You Know?" for the first time as well as "Hero" for a live taping of the U.S. series of Dancing with the Stars.
The single "Do You Know? (The Ping Pong Song)" was featured in an episode of Rob and Big where Rob started singing the song in a car wash. This was the first episode of season 3.
2007-2008 Insomniac
Iglesias released his new album Insomniac on June 12, 2007. The album was so named due to it being recorded mainly at night. The album contained a more contemporary pop style than that of previous albums with many of the tracks being described as r&b. Among the albums highlights include "Push", a hip-hop-flavored collaboration with rapper Lil' Wayne, as well as "Ring My Bells", and a cover of Ringside's "Tired of Being Sorry".
The first single "Do You Know? (The Ping Pong Song)" became a worldwide hit peaking in the top ten several countries and reaching #1 in many. The Spanish version of the song entitled "Dimelo" was #1 on Bilboard's Hot Latin Tracks for eleven unconsecutive weeks becoming one of his best performing songs on the chart.
Iglesias followed up with the ballad Somebody's Me which was released as a single in the American Continent. The song was played extensively on AC radio with the song peaking high on Billboard's Hot AC and the Spanish version also performing well on the charts. The song was featured on the soap The Young and the Restless and Iglesias performed the track on the show. In Europe the second single was Tired Of Being Sorry which was a success in many countries. Recently Iglesias has recorded a version of the song with French singer Nadiya which has reached #1 in France. Iglesias then guest starred in the CBS hit show How I Met Your Mother - in the season 3 premiere episode "Wait For It" - as Robin's new boyfriend, Gael.
On July 4, Enrique Iglesias became the first Western artist to play a concert in Syria in three decades when he performed for a sold-out crowd of 10,000 in the capital city of Damascus and in the same week performed on Live Earth. He would also make a second appearance The Royal Variety Performance.
The Insomniac world tour was launched at the Dome in Johannesburg, South Africa, the same venue he ended his last world Tour and took him to sold out arenas throughout Europe. It was his first arena tour of the UK with him playing venues such as Manchester's MEN Arena and Wembley Arena. The tour ended with Iglesias performing at newly opened L.A. Live. A second leg of the tour has taken him throughout Latin America from Mexico to Argentina.
The song "Push" was added to the soundtrack of the movie Step Up 2 the Streets albeit without Lil Wayne. The song was regarded as the third single from the album. A music video was shot which features the film's lead actors. Despite never being officially added to radio the song has charted in several countries.
Enrique's song "Can You Hear Me" has been chosen as the official song of the UEFA Euro 2008 football tournament. He performed the song live at the June 29, 2008 final in Vienna, Austria.. He supported his home nation Spain.The song will also feature on a re-issue of the Insomniac album being released in certain countries.
2008–09: Greatest Hits Albums
Enrique released a Spanish Greatest Hits album on March 25, 2008 which included his seventeen #1 songs on Hot Latin Tracks chart, plus two new songs. The first single was the song "Dónde Están Corazón", which is written by Argentine star Coti and became Iglesias's 18th #1 single on Billboard's Hot Latin Songs. The album debuted at #1 on Billboard's Latin Album Charts and #18 on Billboards top 200 Album chart. It was Enrique's second Spanish Album to debut in the top 20 Billboards Top 200 Albums (Quizás debuted at 12 in 2002). The album has been recently certified double platinum in the U.S.and in some Latin American countries.
The album's second single Lloro Por Ti had an official remix featuring Wisin y Yandel which also reached #1. Iglesias did a tour of the US. Beginning in Laredo, Texas and ending at the Izod Center in New Jersey he was accompanied though most of the tour with Bachata band Aventura who also performed "Lloro Por Ti" with him at the Premios Juventud.
Iglesias was a surprise performer at the Lo Nuestro Awards, opening the show with a medley of "Dónde Están Corazón" and "Dimelo". He also performed at the Billboard Latin Music Awards, where he received a special award.
After the success of his Spanish Greatest Hits compilation, Iglesias released a compilation of his English language hits on November 11. The album includes "Can You Hear Me" as well two new songs. The first single is entitled "Away" ft Sean Garrett and was followed by "Takin' Back My Love" ft Ciara.
The compilation includes English hit songs such as "Bailamos", "Hero", "Be With You", "Not In Love" and "Escape" which have topped the various Billboard Charts (two of which on Hot 100) as well as songs such as Rhythm Divine, Tired Of Being Sorry and Do You Know (The ping pong song) which have also topped charts in Europe.
After the successful collaboration with Nadiya Iglesias has recorded a second duet with her called "Miss You" which featured on a delux edition of the album.
The album debuted at #3 on The Official Uk Album Chart and sold over 80,000 copies in its first 2 weeks alone.
Enrique was the winner for two World Music Awards in the categories of "World's Best Selling Latin Performer" and "World's Best Selling Spanish Artist", in the ceremony held in Monaco on November 9, 2008.
2008 Spanish Greatest Hits Album: 1 95/08
Enrique released a Spanish Greatest Hits album on March 25, 2008 which included his seventeen #1 songs on Hot Latin Tracks chart, plus two new songs. The first single was the song "Dónde Están Corazón", which is written by Argentinean star Coti and became Iglesias's 18th #1 single on Billbooards Hot Latin Songs. The album debuted at #1 on Billboard's Latin Album Charts and #18 on Billboards top 200 Album chart. It was Enrique's second Spanish Album to debut in the top 20 Billboards Top 200 Albums (Quizás debuted at 12 in 2002). The album has been recently certified double platinum in the U.S.and in some Latin American countries.
Iglesias was a surprise performer at the Lo Nuestro Awards, opening the show with a medley of "Dónde Están Corazón" and "Dimelo". He also performed at the Billboard Latin Music Awards, where he received a special award.
The album's second single will be the song Lloro Por Ti. There is a remix of the song that feature Wisin y Yandel.
Iglesias will be performing in front of 40,000 people at the Isle Of MTV 2008 at the Floriana granaries, Malta, on June 25, 2008, with free entrance.This will be the second time that Iglesias takes the Maltese stage, as last year he headlined the Isle of MTV 2007.
Latest English Greatest Hits [2008]
Enrique Iglesias, who is getting ready to start a tour in the United States beginning September, is already preparing the launch of new material, that in this occasion will repeat the formula of putting his greatest hits on an album.
After the success that he's had with his CD 95/08, which include his greatest hits in Spanish and two new songs, "Donde estan corazon and Lloro por it, will this time launch similar material, only that in this occasion the songs will be his best songs in English.
As the same in 95/08, the new CD of Iglesias will include 2 unedited songs. This material will include songs like Rhythm Divine, Escape, Hero, and Do You Know (The ping pong song), many that occupied the 1st place of popularity in the United States and Europe.
The plans are to launch this new album towards the end of 2008, once the singer finishes his tour in the United States during the months of September and October.
After the success of his Spanish Greatest Hits compilation, it has been reported that Iglesias will release an English version on November 11th
The album will include "Can You Hear Me" as well two new songs. The first single is entitled "Away" ft Sean Garrett and will be released on radio soon, the other new track is called "Takin' Back my Love" and features Ciara
Articles on the album have stated that the complilation will likely include the five English songs such as "Bailamos", "Hero", "Be With You", "Not In Love" and "Escape" which have topped the various Billboard Charts (two of which on Hot 100) as well as songs such as Rhythm Divine, Push and Do You Know (The ping pong song) which have also topped charts in Europe.
After the successful collaboration with Nadiya Iglesias has recorded a second duet with her called "Miss You" which previously featured on his album Insomniac. The duet will be on the French Edition of the album.
2010–present: Euphoria
On July 5, 2010, Iglesias released his ninth and tenth studio albums, Euphoria, his first work to be released under his new label, Universal Republic. The album is Iglesias's first bilingual album with seven original English songs and six original Spanish songs.
Iglesias worked with three (actually four but one isn't mentioned) producers whom he has worked with before; RedOne, Mark Taylor and Carlos Paucer. The album features collaborations with Akon, Usher, Nicole Scherzinger, Ludacris, Pitbull, Juan Luis Guerra and his third duet with Wisin & Yandel. In a joint venture with Universal Latino Iglesias will release different singles in both languages simultaneously to different formats.
The first English single from the album, "I Like It", which features the rapper Pitbull, was released on May 3, 2010 in the U.S. and became a success, reaching number 4 on the Billboard Hot 100.
"Cuando Me Enamoro" was released as the lead Spanish single from the album. The song debuted at number 8 and number 25 on U.S Latin Pop Songs and U.S. Hot Latin Songs, respectively. The song became his 25th top 10 single on the U.S. Billboard Hot Latin Songs & after 4 weeks of its release date it became his 21st No.1 song on this chart.
As of January 2011 "Tonight (I'm Lovin' You)" broke into the top 10 on the Billboard charts reaching no 4. The song was released only for digital download in the U.S. although was featured on some Editions of "Euphoria" in Europe and some Asian areas. The song has became his first #1 on the US Pop Songs and Hot 100 airplay Charts.
A remix version of "Dirty Dancer" was released and became his ninth Dance Club play chart topper making him the male with the most number-one dance singles. tying with Prince & Michael Jackson. "Ayer" serves as the albums seventh single.
The Euphoria Tour has taken him across the US, Canada UK and Europe. A second which has taken him to Australia will include leg will include fellow artists Pitbull and Prince Royce and will be across North America.
Euphoria Reloaded
According to Billboard, Enrique is finalizing production for a new album to be released in November, 2011 as an extension to his latest hit album Euphoria to be released on November 15, 2011. The release will contain a DVD with footage of Iglesias's Euphoria Tour and a new edition of the album that includes 4 new tracks, from which two tracks have been announced. The First single that will hit the radio would be I Like How It Feels featuring rapper Pitbull. Another confirmed track is called Mouth2Mouth which features Jennifer Lopez and it is produced by DJ Frank E whom Enrique has worked before on his smash hit Tonight (I'm Lovin' You).
Songwriting, Producing, and Acting
Iglesias has collaborated with songwriter Guy Chambers to write "Un Nuovo Giorno", the lead single from Andrea Bocelli's first pop album. The song was later translated into English as "First Day of My Life" and recorded by Spice Girl Melanie C. The song has since gone to become a huge hit throughout Europe, and peaked in the number one spot in numerous countries. Iglesias also wrote the single "The Way" for American Idol runner up Clay Aiken. Four songs co-written by Iglesias appear on the UK band The Hollies' current album. Many times Iglesias has said that should he ever retire, he wants to write and produce songs for other artists.
In 2000, Iglesias co-produced an off Broadway musical called Four Guys Named Jose and Una Mujer Named Maria. In the musical, four Americans of Latin heritage possess a common interest in music and meet and decide to put on a show. The show contained many references and allusions to many classic and contemporary Latin and pop songs by the likes of Carmen Miranda, Selena, Richie Valens, Santana, Ricky Martin and Iglesias himself.
Iglesias also developed an interest in acting, starring alongside Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek and Johnny Depp in the Robert Rodriguez film Once Upon a Time in Mexico, in which he played the foul-mouthed gun-wielding Lorenzo. In 2007, he had a cameo role in the TV comedy Two and a Half Men, starring Charlie Sheen. He says that he would act again if given small roles that he could fit in between his musical commitments.
He also played Gael, a guitar playing/surfer/massage therapist and Enrique Iglesias lookalike on the tv show How I Met Your Mother.
Iglesias also played the part of an evil Roman emperor in an ambitious TV commercial for Pepsi, which sponsored his last world tour. He starred alongside Britney Spears, Beyoncé and Pink, who turn the tables on him in the commercial.
A huge step forward
First, in August 2003 Enrique surgically removed his famous facial mole, second, recently the legendary relationship with Russian tennis player Anna Kournikova that lasted about 6 years has been over. Besides, in four years the artists has toured around half the world visiting for the first time such countries as Australia and South Africa. Yet music has always remained his primary occupation, and he was unceasingly writing new songs. When their number reached 50, time has come to think of recording an album. Revealing an enviable self-criticism Enrique selected 12 compositions he liked most, decided to call the album Insomniac and invited producers Sean Garrett and Max Martin to collaborate. Considering the experience Enrique Iglesias has gained lately album Insomniac is in many ways different from all his previous works, the main surprise being the guest performance of rapper Lil' Wayne on one of the tracks and evident R&B elements of the record on the whole.
During his entire career Enrique has been trying to prove his parents, and especially father, Julio Iglesias, that he, too, can be a success in show business. It seems Enrique's most convincing argument was the English album Escape which found a grand popularity in the US and Great Britain.
Back in 2001 single Hero made young Iglesias one of the most wanted pop performers but he was not going to rest on his laurels. To date the singer has learnt to write more original melodies although in most cases he continues to make an accent on the chorus, and has turned to looking for a new style.
In 2000, Iglesias co-produced an off Broadway musical called Four Guys Named Jose and Una Mujer Named Maria. In the musical, four Americans of Latin heritage possess a common interest in music and meet and decide to put on a show. The show contained many references and allusions to many classic and contemporary Latin and pop songs by the likes of Carmen Miranda, Selena, Richie Valens, Santana, Ricky Martin and Iglesias himself.
Iglesias also developed an interest in acting, starring alongside Antonio Banderas, Salma Hayek and Johnny Depp in the Robert Rodriguez film Once Upon a Time in Mexico, in which he played the foul-mouthed gun-wielding Lorenzo. In 2007, he had guest starred in the TV comedy Two and a Half Men as a carpenter/handyman. He says that he would act again if given small roles that he could fit in between his musical commitments.
He also guest starred as Gael, an Argentinean guitar playing/surfer/massage therapist love interest on the CBS hit TV show How I Met Your Mother.
Iglesias also played the part of an evil Roman emperor in an ambitious TV commercial for Pepsi, which sponsored his last world tour. He starred alongside Britney Spears, Beyoncé and Pink, who turn the tables on him in the commercial. He's also starred in commercials for Doritos and for Viceroy watches.
Hot Latin Tracks #1 Singles
1. Si Tú Te Vas (12weeks)
2. Experiencia Religiosa (3 weeks)
3. Por Amarte (8 weeks)
4. No Llores Por Mí (1 week)
5. Trapecista (5 weeks)
6. Enamorado Por Primera Vez (12 weeks)
7. Sólo En Ti (10 weeks)
8. Miente (4 weeks)
9. Esperanza (4 weeks)
10. Nunca Te Olvidaré (1 week)
11. Bailamos (1 week)
12. Ritmo Total (4 weeks)
13. Héroe (1week)
14. Mentiroso (1 week)
15. Quizás (1 week)
16. Para Qué La Vida (1 week)
17. Dímelo (11 weeks)
18. ¿Dónde Están Corazón? (3 weeks)
Billboard Hot 100 #1 Singles
1. Bailamos (2 weeks)
2. Be With You (3 weeks)
UK Singles Chart number-one Singles
1. Hero (4 weeks)
ARIA Singles Chart #1 Singles
1. Hero (2 weeks)
French SNEP #1 Singles
1. Tired of Being Sorry (Laisse le destin l'emporter) (11 weeks)
Belgian (Wallonia) #1 Singles
1. Tired of Being Sorry (Laisse le destin l'emporter) (4 weeks)
Other Charts #1 Singles
1. Could I Have This Kiss Forever (The Netherlands, Israel, Eurochart Hot 100, Poland, Spain, and Switzerland)
2. Bailamos (Spain, Poland)
3. Rhythm Divine (Spain, Poland)
4. Be With You (Spain, Poland)
5. Sad Eyes (Poland)
6. Hero (Spain, UK, Austria, Poland)
7. Maybe (Romania)
8. La Chica De Ayer (Spain)
9. Quizas (World Latin Top 30 Singles)
10. Para Qué La Vida (Argentina, US Billboard Latin Tropical Airplay, World Latin Top 30 Singles)
11. Addicted (India, US Billboard Bubbling Under Hot 100 Singles)
12. Do You Know/Dimelo (Argentina, Chile, Czech, Ibero-America, Latin America Top 40, Mexico, Romania)
13. Tired Of Being Sorry (Finland, Romania, Turkey)
14. Can You Hear Me (The Netherlands, Lithuania, Croatia, Czech Republic)
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