Lebanese-Colombian singer Shakira Mubarak has announced that she will accept no less than 2 million US dollars from any Arab singer wishing to sing a duet with her. The singer has made her request to her business manager and stated clearly that anyone wishing to sing with her must meet the price she set, reported the Qatar based daily, Al Raya.
The desire to hold a duet with Shakira has caused for a greedy and fierce competition to take place in the Arab music industry. 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.
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.
Egyptian singer Hakim had also held extensive negotiations with Shakira, reaching a dead-end with both sides unable to come to an agreement. After the failed talks with Shakira, Hakim turned to US pop star Janet Jackson, and has reached an initial agreement with her instead.
On June 11, 2003 Shakira made a surprise visit to Lebanon that kept everyone in shock. The singer arrived 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, in which the singer had refused to hold any press conferences or performances.
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
