Peligro (Shakira album)

Background and composition

Author Ximena Diego wrote that "the first fifteen years of Shakira's life gave her a taste of how sweet stardom could be"; She was signed to Sony Music Columbia at the age of 13, with the deal being to record three albums, which were Magia, Peligro and Pies Descalzos. While Magia, her debut album, wasn't much of a success commercially, with only 1,200 copies sold, the songs from that record garnered frequent radio play on Colombian radio stations, and, according to Diego, showed her potential.

Despite Magia's lack of sales, Sony Colombia had higher expectations for Shakira's second album, hoping that it would heighten the small popularity she was already having. Diego wrote, however, that the time during the production and release of Peligro would prove that "the road of the artist was not an easy one." The several months of producing Peligro was one of Shakira's most frustrating periods in her career, resulting in an "odd album" that did not fare well with the singer. The album features songs written by Shakira and other composers, including Eddie Sierra, who wrote "El Amor de Mi Vida" from Ricky Martin's self-titled debut album. The press release by Sony Colombia, who seem satisfied with the final product, described Peligro's lyrical content as "profound", "direct" and "filled with magic and poetry". Musically, the record has a "North American ballad treatment", with instrumentation of rock guitars, acoustic pianos and Kenny G-style saxophones.

Release and promotion

"Eres" was released as a promotional single on 11 May 1993. Shakira was not pleased with the final result of Peligro, much so that she decided not to promote the record. The magazine TVyNovelas said that she might've also asked for Sony not to handle promotion either. However, the label did send the album to a few radio stations, and the song "Tú Serás La Historia De Mi Vida" was played on some local stations several months laters. But Shakira's lack of support resulted in the cancellation of rehearsals and live performances, as well as no music videos of songs from the album. While the record was a bit-more well-received from the public than Magia, it failed to live up to the expectations of Sony Colombia, with less than 1,000 copies sold. Shakira has refused to allow the re-release of both Magia and her next album, Peligro, because of their "immaturity", and both LPs have never garnered any sort of international release.