MUMBAI: Spain’s global superstar, Alejandro Sanz, has signed an exclusive, long-term recording agreement with Universal Music Group.
Alejandro Sanz is among the most popular, celebrated artists of the past decades, whose worldwide career encompasses multi-platinum record sales, concert tours seen by millions on three continents, and a cavalcade of awards – including the Latin Grammy for Album of the Year three times, more than any other artist.
"My new home is Universal. I face up to this new phase in my life with all my might and I am confident that we’re going to make big things happen," said Sanz.
Alejandro Sanz has achieved album sales of more than 20 million since his recording career began more than 20 years ago, including 1997’s "Mas," which sold more than 5 million copies worldwide. He has been recognized with dozens of accolades, including 16 Latin Grammys, 2 Grammys, and a World Music Award for biggest-selling Spanish artist worldwide. Among the stars with whom Sanz has performed or recorded are Alicia Keys, Juanes, The Corrs, Shakira, Joaquin Sabina, Miguel Bose, Antonio Carmona, Alexandre Pires, Lena, Ivete Sangalo, Paolo Vallesi, Destiny’s Child, Daniela Mercury, Juan Luis Guerra, Malu, David Bisbal, Marc Anthony and Francisco Cespedes. In 2001 he was the first Spanish artist to record an "Unplugged" album for MTV.
The new agreement was signed on 11 February in Miami, where Sanz was joined by Universal Music Group International COO Max Hole, Universal Music Latin America & Iberian Peninsula chairman and CEO Jesus Lopez and Universal Music Iberian Peninsula president Fabrice Benoit.
Alejandro Sanz will soon begin recording his Universal Music debut album. It follows 2009’s multi-platinum "Paraiso Express," which topped charts in Spain, Mexico and the U.S., including Billboard’s Top Latin Albums.
"After 20 memorable years of my career with my former label, our roads must come to an end. It has been an honor to have shared with them my greatest memories and a career full of success. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I have made this decision fully convinced that we’re going to confront new challenges with the hope, dedication and competitiveness which characterizes the Universal Music team. I have so many things to share: the music, the passion," said Alejandro Sanz.
Lopez added, "Alejandro Sanz is artistically the utmost symbol of his generation. Over the past 20 years, he has become the finest ambassador of Spain’s musical culture to the world, uniting fans of all ages and social types. His influence in Hispanic culture is the model for many of his contemporaries, and for succeeding generations, too. All of us at Universal Music are extremely honored that Alejandro is becoming part of our family, and we feel a huge sense of pride and responsibility in collaborating to further expand his already astonishing career."
