Peligro (Shakira album)

Lore & Background

Peligro was produced and released when Shakira was a teenager, and the process showed her that the road of an artist was not easy. The several months it took to make the record were a frustrating period for her, and she was not pleased with the final result. The album features songs written by Shakira and other composers, including Eddie Sierra, who wrote 'El Amor de Mi Vida' for Ricky Martin's debut album. The closing track '1968' deals with recent history and politics, while other songs address love and heartbreak. Musically, the record has a North American ballad treatment with rock guitars, acoustic pianos, and Kenny G-style saxophones. The song 'Brujería' utilized Arabic influences.

Reader's Guide

Peligro represents a transitional moment in Shakira's early career. Though better made and received than her debut Magia, it failed to meet Sony Colombia's expectations due to Shakira's limited participation in promotion. The album's third single, 'Eres', earned her third place at the 1993 Viña del Mar International Song Festival. Shakira later refused to allow re-release of both Magia and Peligro because of what she considered their immaturity. The album has not been officially sold for decades and is difficult to find and expensive on secondary markets. Its legacy is that of a formative work that the artist herself has distanced from, yet it contains early examples of her songwriting and the Arabic musical influences that would later become a hallmark of her sound.

Did You Know?

• Shakira refused to allow re-release of Peligro in 2003 because she considered it immature.
• The song 'Brujería' was written by Eduardo Paz and utilized Arabic influences.