Maps of Music

Magia (1991)

Where the lyrics of Magia take you, and where it was really made.

Shakira's debut album sold only 1,000 to 1,200 copies in her home country, and she later refused to let it be re-released.

Key places

Recorded at Aga Studios in Bogotá (1991)

Recording site Aga Studios — The album was recorded at Aga Studios in Bogotá when Shakira was 13–14, and produced by Miguel E. Cubillos and Pablo Tedeschi. The pin is set at city-centre level, not at the exact studio building. Google Maps · Apple Maps

How to get there: See the map for directions.

Album story

Overview

• Magia (English: Magic): debut studio album by Colombian singer-songwriter Shakira
• Released 24 June 1991 through Sony Music Colombia
• Shakira signed a three-album recording contract with the label at age 13
• Collection of pop ballads; many songs were written by Shakira since she was eight years old
• Themes: first experiences of falling in love, adventure stories, dreams of living on the coast
• Eight songs plus a remix; five of the songs were written by Shakira between ages 8 and 13
• Live performances of the album helped Shakira receive attention in Colombian media

Background

• Shakira was born in Barranquilla, Colombia, and began writing songs at eight
• Her first song was "Tus Gafas Oscuras"
• Performances at local competitions led to a meeting with theater producer Monica Ariza
• Ariza arranged an audition for her in Bogotá
• She performed three songs for Sony Music Colombia executives, who signed her
• Influences included her ex-boyfriend Oscar Pardo, stories told by her father, and dreams of living on the coast
• In the book Shakira: Woman Full of Grace, Ximena Diego wrote that the album showed her potential

Recording

• The low-budget album had almost three months of pre-production
• Pre-production covered choreography of live performances, singing lessons for Shakira, and arranging the songs
• Produced by Miguel E. Cubillos and Pablo Tedeschi
• Recorded at Aga Studios in Bogotá when Shakira was 13–14
• A Sony Music Colombia representative said the process was simple and went fine
• For Shakira the process was problematic: she could not decide which tracks were included and had no input into the rhythmic structure or artistic production

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Tracklist

Sources: musicbrainz.org

Artist

Career

• Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, born 2 February 1977 in Barranquilla, Colombia.
• Colombian singer-songwriter, dancer and record producer, known as the "Queen of Latin Music".
• Signed to Sony Music Colombia at age 13; debut album Magia (1991) was not a commercial success.
• Breakthrough with Pies Descalzos (1995) and Dónde Están los Ladrones? (1998).
• English crossover album Laundry Service (2001) sold over 15 million copies worldwide.
• Fijación Oral, Vol. 1 (2005) and Oral Fixation, Vol. 2 (2005) followed, with "Hips Don't Lie" becoming her first Billboard Hot 100 number one.
• Has written or co-written virtually all the music she has recorded.
• Holds four Grammy Awards and fifteen Latin Grammy Awards.
• Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran (2024) topped Billboard Top Latin Albums, making her the first woman with number-one albums across four decades.
• Known for blending Latin, Western and Middle Eastern influences in her music and dance.

Philanthropy

• Founded Fundación Pies Descalzos (Barefoot Foundation) in 1997 to build schools for underprivileged children in Colombia.
• Became a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador in 2003.
• Appointed to the President's Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics in 2011.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Reception

At release

• Did not sell well: an estimated 1,000 to 1,200 copies sold in Colombia
• Promotional single "Magia" released in 1991
• Live concerts promoted the launch at Teatro Amira de la Rosa, Cartagena, Santa Marta, Riohacha, Medellín, Cali, Bogotá and other theaters and events
• All of these events received print, radio and television coverage
• Performances featured dancers and backing vocalists César Navarro, Guillermo Gómez, Mauricio Pinilla and Richard Ricardo
• Choreography was by Gary Julio and Ray Silva

Reappraisal

• Magia and its follow-up Peligro were removed from music markets at Shakira's request
• In 2003 Shakira refused to allow re-release of Magia and Peligro, citing their immaturity
• Ximena Diego's book treats the album as evidence of Shakira's early potential

Records

• Won an award at the Viña del Mar International Song Festival in 1991
• Shakira could not attend the ceremony because she was under 16
• Sales in her home country: 1,000 to 1,200 copies

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

Trivia

• A music video was made for "Magia", and Navarro also starred in it.
• The album's first single period coincided with Shakira being 13 and signing her contract.
• Five of the eight songs were written when Shakira was between 8 and 13.
• Shakira was less than 16 at the 1991 Viña del Mar festival, so she could not attend the ceremony.
• Shakira later refused re-release of Magia because of its immaturity.

Sources: en.wikipedia.org

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