María José

Infobox Musical artist
Name = María José


Img_capt =
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Maria José Loyola
Alias = La Josa
Born = January 12, 1976
Origin = Mexico City, Mexico
Genre = Latin pop, Dance, electronica
Occupation = Singer, songwriter
Years_active = 1992–present
Label = Warner Music(2006-2008)
Associated_acts = Kabah, Trey Songz
URL = [http://www.mariajose.com.mx Official WebSite]
[http://www.lajosa.net Official FanSite]

María José is a well-known Mexican singer. She was a member of the successful Pop group Kabah for thirteen years and launched her solo career on 2007 after the group's disbandment.

Career

Maria Jose is best known in Mexico for having been part of Kabah, which reached its peak in the late 90s. Although the group was initially considered another bubblegum pop band in the Mexican music scene, the band earned credibility, popularity and album sales with time.

In 2007, her first solo album, "Maria Jose", was announced and the first single "Quien Eres Tu?", featuring Trey Songz and of dance and hip-hop influences, started to pick up airplay in Mexico. "Quien Eres Tu" has already reached the "Mexican Pop Top 40" and is quickly rising in the chart.

On the week of April 13, 2007, "Quien Eres Tu?" debuted at number ninety-one on the Mexican Top 100, the week's highest debut. The song soon started to descend, losing 9 spots in the Top 100, and 7 spots in the Pop Top 40. However, in early May, promotion and heavy airplay allowed for it to rise again.

During this time, Maria Jose posed for the cover of "MAX Magazine", an equivalent to the American magazine Maxim.

Two weeks after the release date, the album reached number fifty-six on the top selling albums in Mexico. [ [http://www.americatop100.com/noticias/viewtopic.php?t=9796 Top 100 Albums Mexico - June 2nd 2007] ] "Quien Eres Tu", on the other hand, increased in digital sales and climbed all the way to number 9 in the Mexican "Hot Digital Sales" chart. Increasing digital sales allowed for the song to peak at number 6 in the chart.

In June 2007, the song experienced a major increase in airplay and re-entered the Top 100 at 71. Later on, this continued airplay would propel the song into the "Mexican Top 50".

This song has also appeared on iTunes as a Free Single on the week of January 11th, 2008.

"Josa" has stated in various interviews that she expects the second single to be "Mas de ti" or "Habla menos". "Me Equivoque", another track from the album, has garnished major digital sales in Mexico.

"Josa" opened the act for Gwen Stefani's "The Sweet Escape Tour" in Mexico. This part of the tour will include concerts in Monterrey's "Arena Monterrey" and in Mexico City's "Palacio de los Deportes". "Josa" also appeared in the "Reventour", a series of concerts in several parts in Mexico, both as a musical act and as the host.

In Late July, the singer was part of an American tour with LU and Motel and announced the August release of her debut album in the United States which she will be promoting extensively. Josa was also invited to participate in "Hoy No Me Puedo Levantar", the Mexican musical based on the career and songs of the Spanish pop group Mecano.

"Josa" was announced during this time to be a nominee for "Best New Artist" in the Premios Oye!, the Mexican Grammys. Maria Jose shares the category with Eiza Gonzales, from the telenovela Lola...Érase una vez and pop duo Jesse & Joy, who would ultimately win the award.

In late August, "Me Equivoque", along with its video, were released. The song quickly gained much airplay in Mexico and debuted at 71 in the national chart, higher than Timbaland's "The Way I Are" and Britney Spears's "Gimme More". In its second week, the song shot up to number 47, surpassing the peak position "Quien Eres Tu?" achieved in almost three months. The song has also fared well on the pop charts, climbing to 26 in its third week. The song exited the Mexican charts, but re-entered in February 2008 to a higher peak of 39.

"¿Donde Esta?" the third and final single of her debut album, was officially released on April 2008. The songs video was filmed in Mexico City at "Estudios Churubusco." Twenty lucky fans, who were chosen after winning a contest, were invited attend the video's filming. [ [http://busquedas.gruporeforma.com/reforma/Documentos/DocumentoImpresa.aspx Grupo Reforma] ]

"Josa" announced on April 18, 2008, that she had officially 'divorced' from Warner Music. No explanation was given on why the decision was taken, but she did clarify that her third single was released as an independent artist and not with the help of Warner Music. [ [http://www.reforma.com/galeria_de_audios/15/028190/ Reflector- Reforma Radio] ]

Mariajose is currently participating in El Show de los Suenos which began on September 30th 2008. In the first show Mariajose along with her counterpart Thalia sang Tocando Fondo. In the following show the two sang Te Aprovechas. The 3rd show Mariajose and Thalia sang No me quedas mas while in the 4th show they sang Quererte a ti. In the 5th show Amores Extranos followed the 6th show with Amiga Mia.

Mariajose will begin working on her second album in late 2008 and will be released sometime in 2009.

Music sound

Maria Jose's songs and music are built on the work of American singers like Gwen Stefani and Fergie, as well as Canadian Nelly Furtado, whose Pop-Hip Hop songs have been extremely popular throughout the world. The drums on "Quien Eres Tu?", for example, share a strong resemblance with those on Furtado's Maneater. "Josa" claims her influences to be Eugenia Leon, Rocio Durcal, Mecano, Celine Dion, Mariah Carey and Boyz 2 Men. The album's electronic-like and synthpop references are shown with the participation of Plastilina Mosh, Blu and Trey Songz.

Discography

With Kabah

*"El Pop ha muerto viva el pop" (2006)- #11 (MX)
*"El Pop" (2005)- #2 (MX)
*"La Vuelta Al Mundo" (2003)- #10 (MX)
*"La Vida Que Va" (2002)- #1 (MX)
*"XNE" (2000)- #3 (MX)
*"Esperanto" (1998)- #1 (MX)
*"La Calle de Las Sirenas" (1996)- #1 (MX)
*"Kabah" (1994)

Solo albums

* "Maria Jose" (2007) #15 (Mex Pop), #"56" (Mex)

Solo singles

* "¿Quien Eres Tú?" (2007) - #49 ("Mexico Top 100"), #21 ("Mex Pop Top 40"), #7 ("Mex Digital Songs")
* "Me Equivoque" (2007) - #31 ("Mexico Top 100"), #27 ("Mex Pop Top 40)", #2 ("Mex Digital Songs")
* "¿Donde Está?" (2008) - #99 ("Mexico Top 100"), #30 ("Mex Pop Top 40"), #42 ("Mex Pop Top 100"),

References

External links

*
* [http://www.mariajose.com.mx Mariajose.com.mx]
* [http://www.lajosa.net Lajosa.net]