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Jocelin Taylor
Amante de lo ajeno (2009): Maria Jose's Musical Journey from Pop Star to Diva
Maria Jose is a Mexican singer and actress who rose to fame as a member of the pop group Kabah in the 1990s. After the group disbanded in 2005, she embarked on a solo career and released her self-titled debut album in 2007. However, the album did not achieve the success that she expected and she parted ways with her record label Warner Music.
In 2009, she returned with a new album titled Amante de lo ajeno (Lover of Other People's Things), which was an independent release produced by Italian hitmaker Loris Ceroni. The album was a tribute to the Mexican pop divas of the 1980s, featuring covers of songs originally performed by artists such as Daniela Romo, Ana Gabriel, Lucía Méndez, Rocío Banquells, and others. The album was a huge success, reaching number 2 on the Mexican album charts and earning a gold certification for selling over 50,000 copies.
Amante de lo ajeno is considered by many fans and critics as Maria Jose's best album to date, as it showcases her powerful vocals and charisma, as well as her versatility and respect for the musical legacy of her country. In this article, we will explore how Maria Jose transformed herself from a pop star to a diva with Amante de lo ajeno.
The Transformation of Maria Jose
Maria Jose started her musical career as a member of Kabah, a pop group that was formed in 1992 and became one of the most popular and successful acts of the 1990s in Mexico and Latin America. The group was known for their catchy songs, colorful outfits, and energetic performances. Maria Jose was one of the lead singers of the group, along with Federica Quijano and Sergio O'Farrill.
Kabah released six studio albums between 1994 and 2004, selling over four million copies worldwide. Some of their most famous songs include La Calle de las Sirenas (The Street of the Mermaids), Vive (Live), Al Pasar (As Time Goes By), Mai Mai (Never Never), Amor por Amor (Love for Love), and La Vida que Va (The Life that Goes). The group also collaborated with other artists such as OV7, Magneto, Mercurio, Jeans, and Fey.
In 2005, Kabah announced their farewell tour and their last album titled El Pop (The Pop), which was a compilation of their greatest hits. The group disbanded after their final concert in Mexico City on December 10th, 2005. Maria Jose decided to pursue a solo career and signed a contract with Warner Music.
In 2007, she released her self-titled debut album, which was produced by Aureo Baqueiro, who had worked with artists such as Sin Bandera, Natalia Lafourcade, Ha*Ash, and others. The album featured 11 original songs written by Baqueiro and other industry songwriters. The album was a pop-rock record that aimed to showcase Maria Jose's vocal abilities and personality.
However, the album did not achieve the expected success and only reached number 39 on the Mexican album charts. The album spawned three singles: Quien Eres Tu (Who Are You), Me Equivoque (I Was Wrong), and Un Nuevo Amor (A New Love). The singles had moderate airplay on radio and TV, but did not become major hits. Maria Jose also faced some criticism for her image change, as she adopted a more mature and sexy look that contrasted with her previous style.
Maria Jose was disappointed with the results of her debut album and felt that Warner Music did not support her enough. She also felt that she did not have enough creative control over her music and image. She decided to end her contract with Warner Music and look for other options.
In 2009, she found a new opportunity with Sei Track Musica, an independent label that was part of Grupo CIE, one of the largest entertainment companies in Mexico. She also found a new producer in Loris Ceroni, an Italian producer who had worked with other Latin pop artists such as Paty Cantú, Alejandra Guzmán, Kalimba, Natalia Lafourcade, and others.
Together, they came up with the idea of making a cover album that would pay homage to the Mexican pop divas of the 1980s. Maria Jose chose songs that she liked and that represented an important part of her musical influences. She also chose songs that she could reinterpret with her own style and personality.
The result was Amante de lo ajeno (Lover of Other People's Things), an album that marked a turning point in Maria Jose's career. The album was a success both commercially and critically, reaching number 2 on the Mexican album charts and earning a gold certification for selling over 50,000 copies. The album also received positive reviews from fans and critics who praised Maria Jose's vocals, charisma, versatility, and respect for the musical legacy of her country.
The album also launched Maria Jose's career as a solo artist in other markets such as Spain
The Reception of Amante de lo ajeno
The reception of Amante de lo ajeno was very positive, both commercially and critically. The album sold over 50,000 copies in Mexico, earning a gold certification from AMPROFON. The album also reached number 2 on the Mexican album charts, only behind Luis Miguel's Complices. The album also had a good performance in other markets such as Spain, where it reached number 18 on the Spanish album charts.
The album also received positive reviews from fans and critics who praised Maria Jose's vocals, charisma, versatility, and respect for the musical legacy of her country. Some of the reviews are:
- \"Maria Jose proves that she is not only a great singer, but also a great interpreter who can give new life to classic songs with her own style and personality.\" - El Universal
- \"Amante de lo ajeno is a tribute to the Mexican pop divas of the 1980s, but also a tribute to Maria Jose's talent and versatility. She manages to reinterpret these songs with elegance, emotion, and power.\" - Ritmoson Latino
- \"Maria Jose shows her maturity and growth as a solo artist with Amante de lo ajeno, an album that honors the musical memory of her country and that showcases her powerful vocals and charisma.\" - People en Español
- \"Amante de lo ajeno is a successful cover album that demonstrates Maria Jose's vocal abilities and personality. She sings with passion and conviction, making these songs her own.\" - Billboard
The Singles of Amante de lo ajeno
The singles of Amante de lo ajeno were also very successful, reaching high positions on the Mexican radio charts and becoming popular among the public. The singles were:
- No Soy Una Señora: This was the lead single and the most successful one. It reached number 1 on the Mexican radio charts and number 3 on the Billboard Latin Pop Songs chart. It also received a nomination for Best Female Pop Vocal Album at the Latin Grammy Awards in 2010.
- Mi Amor Amor: This was the second single and another hit. It reached number 2 on the Mexican radio charts and number 10 on the Billboard Latin Pop Songs chart. It also received a nomination for Best Pop Song at the Latin Grammy Awards in 2010.
- Adelante Corazón: This was the third single and another hit. It reached number 3 on the Mexican radio charts and number 12 on the Billboard Latin Pop Songs chart.
- Sola No, Yo No Sé Estar: This was the fourth single and another hit. It reached number 4 on the Mexican radio charts and number 15 on the Billboard Latin Pop Songs chart.
The singles also had accompanying music videos that were directed by Ricardo Calderón [es]. The videos featured Maria Jose in different scenarios that matched the mood and theme of each song. The videos were well received by fans and critics who praised Maria Jose's beauty, style, and performance.
The Legacy of Amante de lo ajeno
Amante de lo ajeno is not only a successful cover album, but also a significant one in the history of Mexican pop music. The album revived the interest and appreciation for the songs and singers of the 1980s, who had been somewhat forgotten or overshadowed by newer generations of artists. The album also introduced these songs to a new audience who might not have heard them before.
The album also established Maria Jose as a solo artist who could stand on her own and who had a unique style and personality. The album showed her vocal abilities and versatility, as well as her charisma and confidence. The album also reflected her musical influences and tastes, as well as her respect and admiration for the musical legacy of her country.
The album also influenced other artists who followed Maria Jose's example and made their own cover albums of Mexican pop songs. Some examples are Paty Cantú with 333 (2018), which features covers of songs by Gloria Trevi, Fey, Thalía, and others; Belinda with Catarsis (2013), which features covers of songs by Timbiriche, Flans, Mecano, and others; and Gloria Trevi with El Amor (2015), which features covers of songs by Juan Gabriel, José José, Rocío Dúrcal, and others.
Amante de lo ajeno is an album that celebrates the Mexican pop music of the 1980s, but also showcases Maria Jose's talent and personality. It is an album that honors the past, but also looks forward to the future. It is an album that deserves to be remembered and appreciated as one of the best cover albums of Latin pop music.
The Impact of Amante de lo ajeno
Amante de lo ajeno had a significant impact on Maria Jose's career and image. The album boosted her popularity and recognition as a solo artist, and opened new doors for her in the music industry. The album also earned her several awards and nominations, such as:
- Latin Grammy Awards: Nominated for Best Female Pop Vocal Album and Best Pop Song (for Mi Amor Amor) in 2010.
- Premios Oye!: Won for Best Female Pop Album and Nominated for Album of the Year in 2010.
- Premios Lo Nuestro: Won for Pop Female Artist of the Year and Nominated for Pop Album of the Year in 2011.
- Premios Juventud: Nominated for Favorite Pop Artist and Favorite Pop Song (for No Soy Una Señora) in 2010.
- Premios Telehit: Won for Best Female Artist and Best Cover Song (for No Soy Una Señora) in 2010.
The album also changed Maria Jose's image and style, as she adopted a more mature and sophisticated look that matched her musical evolution. She also became more confident and expressive in her performances, showing her charisma and talent on stage. She also became more involved in the creative process of her music, choosing the songs and collaborating with the producers.
The album also led to a successful tour that lasted from 2009 to 2011. The tour visited several cities in Mexico, as well as Spain, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Venezuela, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, and the United States. The tour featured Maria Jose singing the songs from Amante de lo ajeno, as well as some of her original songs from her debut album. The tour also featured special guests such as Ana Gabriel, Daniela Romo, Lucía Méndez, Rocío Banquells, Manoella Torres, Crystal, Melissa, Paty Cantú, Kalimba, Natalia Lafourcade, Alejandra Guzmán, OV7, Kabah, Fey, Jeans, Magneto, Mercurio, and others.
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