Soraya biography

Indeed, Soraya's georgeously crafted new songs transcend genre and expectation. "I'M YOURS" is the result of two years of musical and spiritual exploration that brings the acclaimed singer-songwriter to a new level of emotional connection. From the from cumbia-style rhythms of "La Misma Historia", which evoke her Colombian homeland, to the vibrant energy and exotic flamenco and Middle Eastern influences of the first single "I'm Yours", to the lilting grace of "Tu y Yo". "I'M YOURS" brings folk, Latin R&B, pop and country together in a stunning and instantly memorable sonic whirl. Soraya grew up in both Colombia and the U.S.: she picked up the guitar at age five and was instantly obsessed, drawing inspiration from both her Latin musical roots and American folk singers. Later, she sharpened her storytelling instincts with a stint as a English literature major in college. Her debut albums On Nights Like This, was released in 1996 to critical raves and led to tours opening for Natalie Merchant, Zucchero, Sting and Alanis Morrisette, as well as a headlining trek and festival appearances. In Latin America and in the U.S. Spanish market her success was immediate. Four songs from her debut record reached the top positions on radio charts everywhere. Even her first single Suddenly / De Repente reached Billboard's Latin Pop charts. Soraya's 1998 follow-up, Wall of Smiles, enabled her to co-write the title track with her idol, Carole King, "Meeting her was incredible", Soraya enthuses. "I always looked up to her - she was a female singer songwriter who broke through the boundaries that existed in her time." The disc's single, So Far Away was a big hit internationally: Wall of Smiles also expanded Soraya's Australian and European fan base, especially in Germany. However, the flurry of record company mergers and staff changes of that periode made her decide to wait a bit before starting work on "I'M YOURS". I also needed to fall in love again with why I do this", Soraya explains about her break between albums. "I spent a good six months not even playing the guitar. Then I wrote "I'm Yours" on my old favorite guitar, sitting in my backyard, playing these chords. It's a very Latin progression, but with a folk origin. Once it was done, it felt right, and I knew that's where I was going with this record." Next creative excursions to Nashville, Los Angeles, France, and New York garnered writing partners of wildly diverse backgrounds, including Tony Nicholas (Patti LaBelle, Barry White, Gerald Levert). "Tony ended up being my co-producer on the record", Soraya recalls. "Working with different people helped me focus again on the guitar - and help me to get back to the emotions of my songs." For instance, the deceptively pretty "Where Did You Go" was inspired by Soraya's conversation with an old friend, who'd married her college sweetheart. "Years later she looked at him one day and didn't recognize him. They'd grown apart - but so quietly, they didn't realize it was happening. But he went somewhere, and definitely didn't take her with him. And she was guilty of the same thing." Similarly, the jaunty, percolating charm of "La Misma Historia" plays counterpoint to serious lyrics about the violence that's played a part of Colombia's history for decades. "For the first and second record, I'd been putting a traditional Colombian song on my records, as an homage to why I started doing this", Soraya explains. "On this record, I composed an original piece. The hook is about never regretting but never repeating, hoping that after 40 years of self-destructive violence it's not going to happen again." Another serious theme comes into play in the promotion of "I'M YOURS" in alliance with the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation. "Having lost my mother to breast cancer, I did a fundraiser for them, and they asked me if I would be their Latin spokes-person", she explains, concluding, "so, while I'm on the road promoting my record, I'm also going to be educating women." Overall, "I'M YOURS" deftly mixes personal and political, folksy rhythms, pop melodies, country twang and an urban groove, all tied together with an unmistakable emotional honesty. It's a potent mix which Soraya will be sharing with audiences throughout 2000. "I'm so clear in what to do now", Soraya concludes. "And I can't wait to take this new music to different places and audiences."  

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