The sudden announcement of a desire to hold a duet with an Arab singer by Lebanese-Colombian singer Shakira Mubarak has caused for a greedy and fierce competition to take place. A number of Egyptian singers have gone out of their ways trying to be the chosen ones in order to reach the international stardom Shakira has acquired.
According to the Kuwaiti based daily, Al Qabas, Egyptian singer Amr Diab is one of the competitors who is trying to reach an agreement with Shakira in order to sing a duet. The singer, who recently struck an agreement with Rotana Music Production Company, has put all his efforts in steaming negotiations with Shakira, stressing to her that choosing a duet with him would be the wisest decision. Amr stressed that if Shakira does choose him both will benefit in the sense that she will open the doorways to stardom for him in the US and Europe, and he will in turn open the door of popularity for her in the Arab world.
Amr added that if Shakira is to accept his proposal he will cover all the financial matters, especially since he is very capable of meeting any price she sets. Until this date no agreement has been reached, but Amr is hopeful that he will be the one to sing with her. It has been added that Shakira has not yet set a price for herself in the duet, but her usual wage is one million US dollars, as is the case with every duet she is in.
The Music Production Company Rotana held a press conference in which it officially announced Diab's admittance to their team. A large number of media representatives were invited to the big event that took place at a grand hotel in Beirut-Lebanon. Amr had broken his contract with his previous production company Alam El Phan, which he had been a part of since the beginning of his career.
Amr's latest album "Alim Albi Al Gharam" features twelve songs, which were written by a number of prominent poets. The new album features Amr in a new look and music styles. He combined Tango, Jazz, Techno, and eastern genres all in one. “Alim Albi Al Gharam” is shot in London.
Amr is known to be the highest paid Arab artist in the Middle East. His last wage for his album was over two million US dollars. It is known that Amr does not accept less than 60 thousands Egyptian pounds for performing in weddings or any other private party. –
On June 11, 2003 Shakira arrived in Beirut airport in an unexpected visit that kept everyone in shock. The singer arrived on Air France with her parents in an attempt to get to know Lebanon. Shakira’s visit was focused mainly on visiting Zahla, to meet relatives and become better acquainted with her roots. It was revealed that her stay in Lebanon was strictly for leisure.
Multicultural Shakira is one of a growing number of Latin American singers making a splash on the US pop charts. Her latest album, "Laundry Service," has sales approaching 10 million albums worldwide. Her music combines rock, pop, Latin and Arabic sounds. Shakira also plays guitar and writes most of her songs, which allows her to control its content and style, something she is very keen on. – Albawaba.com
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
