October 2003 - From
the moment he released his first album, Comenzare, Luis
Fonsi embraced his artistic career and made it his life.
That's why the title of his latest album, Abrazar la vida
(Embrace Life), out on October 28, 2003, is so appropriate.
After
the success of his last album, Amor Secreto, Fonsi wasted
no time and began working on what would become his most
extraordinary project. The new concept took him down a path
never before traveled, exploring more deeply his tropical
roots. Fonsi's strength, rhythm & blues, is still the
primordial force of his work, his hallmark. But in Abrazar
la vida, the singer-songwriter expands his musical horizons.
Horizons that led him to work with some of the most renowned
producers in the music industry, such as Rudy Perez, who's
been so influential in Fonsi's career and, for the first
time, Kike Santander and Angel "Cucco" Pena. "
In this
album, there's a little bit of everything. A very diverse
reportoire within the pop ballad genre, and fusion with
rhythms that are much more Latin," says Fonsi about
the album. Producer Perez's mastery is combined wit Fonsi's
talent in songs like Por ti podria morir and Viviendo en
el ayer (in which veteran Roberto Livi also collaborated).
Meanwhile, with Santander and his team, Fonsi worked on
Extrano Sentimiento and Yo te propongo. That the famous
producer and composer, well-known for his tropical pop,
joined forces with Fonsi, brought to the equation more Latin
elements, as well as a fresher and more fundamental sound,
as he describes it. Except for his participation in the
annual TV specials sponsored by Puerto Rico's Banco Popular,
Fonsi had not worked directly with Pena on an album. But
in Eso que llaman amor, a song written by Fonsi along with
composer Claudia Brant, the young interpreter found the
perfect opportunity to delve into Pena's musical fusion.
For Fonsi, as for these producers, working together was
a dream come true, due to their mutual admiration and respect.
But
Fonsi also believe
in new talents; thus, he shared his work with an up-and-coming
star such as Jeeve in the song "Yo". As never
before in his career, Fonsi fully participated in all aspects
of the production, even reclaiming his role as songwriter.
A role that had him write a song, Tanto que te di; nominated
for a Latin Grammy award; and that led him to write for
stars such as Olga Tanon and Ednita Nazario. Fonsi's talent
as songwriter once again can be appreciated in the new album's
first single, Quien te dijo eso, which he wrote with his
colleague Brant. The track, produced by Rudy Perez will
also feature a dazzling video shot by Pablo Croce in the
exotic city of Bankkok, Thailand.
Abrazar
la vida includes the song that gives name to the album,
a powerful tune penned by Denise Rich and Jodi Marr, and
a duet, Con la fuerza de mi corazon, by Fonsi and the new
talented singer Christina Valemi. The duet is also the theme
song of a new Spanish animated film, El Cid Campeador. For
Luis Fonsi, Abrazar la vida is another significant step
in a prolific career that saw his first three albums, Comenzare,
Eterno, and Amore Secreto, be certified Gold by the Recording
Industry Association of America (RIAA). Fonsi, who has collaborated
with stars such as Christina Aguilera, Jaci Velasquez, and
Britney Spears, was chosen in 2001 one of People en Espanol's
most beautiful people. He also had the honor of participating
in two historic events: the Jubilee 2000, a major celebration
of the Catholic Church in which Fonsi sang before Pope John
Paul II; and in a tribute for the victims of September 11,
El ultimo adios, at the White House, before President George
W. Bush.
With
his spectacular, sold-out concerts, Fonsi has traveled all
over Latin America, the Caribbean, and the United States.
When he performed at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida,
for example, the theater was packed; with the Explosion
Musical Tour 2001, he reached some of the United States'
most important theme parks; and even during a visit to Spain,
his show was described as nothing less than a sensation.
Last year, Fonsi acted as godfather to the traditional Puerto
Rican Day Parade in New York City. Simply put, Fonsi never
forgets his Puerto Rican roots. Thus, in August of 2003,
along with his manager, he opened an innovative restaurant
in Puerto Rico, called Las Tablas. That business side of
his is just one of the many talents that make Luis Fonsi
a consummate showman, singer, songwriter, dancer, and now,
with Abrazar la vida, a conqueror of new musical challenges.
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Married 
