Shakira's Gettin' Rabiosa!

I love posting about Shakira. None of you haters share my love for this holy icon of fabulousness but I get such a kick out of seeing her exquisite face on my blog. Particularly when she's wearing a headband in an obvious tribute to Australia's own Olivia Newton-John. Respect! Unfortunately that is a fan made cover but "Rabiosa" has indeed been selected as the third single from Shaki's stunning "Sale El Sol" album - an opus that is still yet to be released in this country by the cunts at Sony Music. Don't worry, guys. You still have Delta! If you haven't heard the song - and I'm assuming you haven't - make sure you check it out. "Rabiosa" is like "Loca" on crack. It's faster, dirtier and extremely whore-tastic. Three ingredients that make it essential listening. This radio ready collaboration with Pitbull has summer smash (in Mexico) written all over it. But seriously, with J Lo sitting pretty in the top 5 - why not take another chance on Shakira? She did it first and still does it better. I can't wait for the sure to be amazing video. Until then, this slightly disturbing effort (below) will have to do. Embrace the legend.

Yet Another Reason Why I Love Shakira

This is the best thing to hit YouTube since Rebecca Black. And no, I haven't forgotten about that pop pioneer! But I can't stop watching this clip and need to post it. Basically, Shakira hooks up with Rodolfo Burgos - otherwise known as Shakiro - before a concert in Chile. His claim to fame is sounding uncananily similar the Colombian diva and I'm completely mesmerised by his fabulousness and Shaki's big heart. She doesn't bat an eyelid when Rodolfo blurts out that he used to dress up in his mother's clothes to impersonate her (I think we all saw that coming) and looks genuinely touched when he serenades her. I'm so jealous. I would hock my Dannii collection to see the world's realest superstar perform live. When does Shakira's tour reach America or Mexico? I'm tempted to fly over there just to be stunned and amazed by all her genre defining hits and crazy stans. This clip is a must see!

María José Returns To Save Pop!

Ok, that might be a slight exaggeration but the return of Mexico's queen of 80s covers is undoubtedly a cause for celebration. María José stole my heart last year. Her brilliant version of "No Soy Una Señora" came in at number 8 on my best singles of 2009 countdown, while its parent album ranked 24th. I love María's fun sound, saucy videos and amazing ability to recycle South American pop classics. Happily, the diva's new single showcases all three qualities. "La Ocasión Para Amarnos" is great cover of a Daniela Romo song from 1983. It was always going to be impossible to beat Daniela in the fashion stakes - look at her amazing hair! - but María makes the song her own. She's still rocking that whole P!nk meets Kelly Clarkson pop/rock blend and her voice is stronger than ever. My only concern is the video clip (below), which finds the stunning beauty striking sexy poses in an abandoned warehouse. Highlights include a weird magical sofa and a scene where she perches on factory equipment! What is it with fabulous Mexican divas and dubious film clips? Maybe it's a Mexican tradition like piñatas and telenovelas. Anyway, brace yourself for María's latest smash!

Lucero - My New Mexican Obsession

Mexican pop music continues to blow my mind. It's hard to believe that so many glorious divas could emerge from the one nation - María José, Ninel Conde, Fey, Patricia Manterola and Lorena Herrera. So much talent and beauty! Well, I have a new name to add to that long list. A couple of days ago my Mexipop soulmate Joe introduced me to Lucero and it was love at first listen. The glamorous songbird is a living legend at home. She released her first album as a 13 year old in 1982 and is still going strong today. Lucero's latest opus (above) hit stores last month and the video for the album's second single debuted recently. Nothing will prepare you for fabulousness of "Indispensable". A 41 year old balladeer jumping on the electro-pop bandwagon - complete with a film clip that channels Lady Gaga and Britney Spears circa 2000 - is hard to beat! As much as I love the song, it's all about the visuals for me. The cheap special effects, dubious choreography and unfortunate outfits combine to create the video of the year (below). Seriously, this makes Fey's iconic "Let Me Show You" look like "Bad Romance"! Truly breathtaking. The annoying thing is I now have 21 albums to catch up on. Does anyone have any suggestions? I'm buying this masterpiece for the cover alone!

Where's The Love For Loca?

Am I the only person that likes Shakira's new single? Since its debut the song has received a barrage of criticism from fans and haters alike. And I really don't get it. At all. "Loca" is one of the year's best pop songs and further underlines the diva's status as the most inventive superstar in music. Who else follows an electropop tune about lycanthrophy with a remake of an African folk song before getting in touch with her Latin roots - with the help of a British rapper? I love the fact that Shakira never repeats herself and keeps pushing the envelope creatively. Admittedly, "Loca" took me quite a few listens to get into. It's not as commercial as "She Wolf" or as annoyingly catchy as "Waka Waka" but the song crawls under your skin like a flesh eating parasite. I love the dark and dangerous beats, sexy chorus and Latin influences. Hell, I even like Dizzee Rascal's rap! My only complaint about the project is Shakira's rake thin appearance in the video. Girlfriend, please eat a burger! The clip itself is amazing. Kind of like the music video equivalent of gonzo porn. There are no production values - just Shakira skating around in a variety of skimpy outfits. It's slightly disturbing and voyeuristic. Which suits the song perfectly. I don't care if the rest of you bitches hate it. "Loca" is my new jam and I will get my hands on a physical copy if I have to make one myself!

Shakira's Trashtastic World Cup Anthem

It's a little known fact that I used to be a footballer's wife (of sorts!) when I lived in Germany, so the World Cup is one of the very few sporting events that doesn't make me want to stick needles in my eyes or listen to Dulta's greatest hits on repeat. As much as I enjoy the games - no, seriously - I'm just as interested in the official theme song. Admittedly, there have been some shockers. Who will ever forget Man-astacia's dreary "Boom" or Toni Braxton's ill considered collaboration with Il Divo? Oh right, just about everyone. Happily, the powers that be really outdid themselves this time around. Shakira's "Waka Waka (This Time For Africa)" is a trashy delight. Her lyrics are as ridiculous as you would expect but I love the world music-lite beats and the chorus is catchy as all fuck. Which is a technical term. The Spanish version is just as fabulous. Seriously, this woman can do no wrong. Sony just needs to release "Men In This Town" or "Good Stuff" and watch her amazing "She Wolf" album claim its rightful spot at the top of the charts! In the meantime, this tune is a fun distraction. It's already been #1 in several European countries and could revive her Australian fortunes if we don't lose in the first round. Check out the classy video. Shakira just gets hotter by the day. No one else could get away with dancing bare foot with hippy flowers in their hair and still look like sex on legs. The only thing that could make it better is a slow motion replay of Michael Ballack's swinging package.

Oh and for the record, here are my top 5 favourite teams for the 2010 World Cup:

1. Australia
2. Germany
3. Spain
4. Mexico
5. Japan

Ninel Conde - The Mexican Beyoncé

I really don't know that much about Mexico's stunning Ninel Conde apart from the fact that she's the arch rival of my beloved Lorena Herrera and is clearly a massive Beyoncé fan if the video clip of her latest single is anything to go by. "Mujeriego" plays like a four minute homage to Sasha Fierce. The costumes, choreography and outfits all look very familiar. It's like "Single Ladies" crossed with "Sweet Dreams" with a dash of "One Night Only" thrown in for good measure! Don't get me wrong, I'm not throwing shade on lovely Ninel. As far as I'm concerned all foreign divas should steal from their more famous international counterparts. Hell, Ami Suzuki would be hocking her box on a Tokyo street corner if she stopped copying Kylie! I just think it's interesting that Ninel borrowed B's image so completely but stuck with her own unique brand of trashtastic Mexi-pop. It doesn't quite gel but who gives a shit when the finished product is this much fun? The Beyoncé themed video is hilarious - she obviously hired Fey's low budget special effects team - and the song is a welcome burst of trashy fun. I particularly love the catchy chorus and low brow production values. Ninel is not in Lorena's league of fabulousness yet but she could well be a contender if she keeps this up! Sit back, relax and enjoy the sheer cinematic brilliance of "Mujeriego" (below).