Biography
Hailing from Madrid, Belén Arjona launched her path as a lively guitar-driven rocker brimming with personality, initially finding success strictly inside her home country of Spain until an unforeseen Latin Grammy nomination in 2006 delivered broader notice to the twentysomething madrileña. Born Belén Arjona García in Madrid on October 5, 1981, she states that her singing began at age three, with guitar study following at 13 and the formation of her earliest band at 16. Her range of inspirations stretches across Janis Joplin and Ella Fitzgerald, Alanis Morissette and Tahures Zurdos, and the Prodigy alongside Garbage.
Accompanied by her band, Arjona inked a deal with Warner Music Spain and cut her first album, O Te Mueves O Caducas (2003). Juan Sueiro handled production, and the record appeared when she had just turned 21, yielding several hit singles including the title track along with “Me Voy de Fiesta,” “Si No Estás,” and “Sangre en la Nevera.” The project received rotation on MTV España, after which Warner put out an edición especial of O Te Mueves O Caducas in January 2005 that incorporated a DVD and extra tracks. Among those additions stood a cover of “Vivir sin Aire,” the rock en español staple first recorded by Maná in 1994; the new version, another charting single complete with its own video, was performed as a duet with Maná’s lead singer Fher Olvera.
Warner issued Arjona’s follow-up album, Infinito, in summer 2005 under the guidance of producer Alejo Stivel. The set explored deeper lyrical subjects and generated singles such as the title track, “No Habrá Más Perdón,” and “Sola Otra Vez,” while also including a Spanish-language rendering of Aerosmith’s “Crying” titled “Y Lloré.” Infinito earned a 2006 Latin Grammy nomination in the Best Rock Solo Vocal Album category. Although Gustavo Cerati ultimately received the award for Ahí Vamos (2006), the recognition itself marked a major milestone for the young singer/songwriter/guitarist. Prior to this point her profile had remained largely confined to Spain, yet the nomination generated fresh publicity that prompted comparisons with fellow young Latina guitar rocker JD Natasha and frequent references to Arjona as “la Avril Lavigne española.”
Accompanied by her band, Arjona inked a deal with Warner Music Spain and cut her first album, O Te Mueves O Caducas (2003). Juan Sueiro handled production, and the record appeared when she had just turned 21, yielding several hit singles including the title track along with “Me Voy de Fiesta,” “Si No Estás,” and “Sangre en la Nevera.” The project received rotation on MTV España, after which Warner put out an edición especial of O Te Mueves O Caducas in January 2005 that incorporated a DVD and extra tracks. Among those additions stood a cover of “Vivir sin Aire,” the rock en español staple first recorded by Maná in 1994; the new version, another charting single complete with its own video, was performed as a duet with Maná’s lead singer Fher Olvera.
Warner issued Arjona’s follow-up album, Infinito, in summer 2005 under the guidance of producer Alejo Stivel. The set explored deeper lyrical subjects and generated singles such as the title track, “No Habrá Más Perdón,” and “Sola Otra Vez,” while also including a Spanish-language rendering of Aerosmith’s “Crying” titled “Y Lloré.” Infinito earned a 2006 Latin Grammy nomination in the Best Rock Solo Vocal Album category. Although Gustavo Cerati ultimately received the award for Ahí Vamos (2006), the recognition itself marked a major milestone for the young singer/songwriter/guitarist. Prior to this point her profile had remained largely confined to Spain, yet the nomination generated fresh publicity that prompted comparisons with fellow young Latina guitar rocker JD Natasha and frequent references to Arjona as “la Avril Lavigne española.”
Albums
Singles
