Shakira’s Uruguay Farm Home Getaway

While the big names in the music business have descended upon Los Angeles for Sunday night’s Grammy Awards, one hip-shaking superstar has opted for a relaxing weekend on the farm.
Latin singer Shakira arrived at her summer spread in Punta del Este, Uruguay on Saturday afternoon - getting away from the city life for awhile.

While it was previously rumored that the trip was for a possible wedding with longtime boyfriend Antonio del la Rua, insiders now tell that Shakira is actually there for inspiration as she pens some new tunes.
Along with writing music, Shakira, who turned 31-years-old one week ago, is also doing charity work through eBay auctions as of late.
According to a FOX Pop Tarts report, “(Shakira) has just thrown in her own personal jewelry collection and the two signed guitars she strummed with on her tour (for auction).”
And of the money she receives from the winning bidders, “(Shakira) donating 100 percent of the proceeds raised in purging her personals to Colombian-based charity the Pies Descalzos Foundation, which assists needy children in escaping poverty.”

The Smile on Her Face tells alot, She is Doing well.

About D'banj The New MTV Base Africa Best Artist.

“D’BANJ” (KOKO MASTER) Twenty-seven year old D’Banj is a Nigerian singer and song writer as well as harmonica guru, a charismatic stage performer with boundless energy…. D’Banj grew up listening to Fela’s music, “his mentor” and he has performed at Femi Kuti’s new AFRIKAN SHRINE in Lagos as well as the Shrine Synchro System’s regular London Night at Cargo. He also performed at the Black President Concert in memory of Fela’s art and legacy at the Barbican in London. Without ever turning into a carbon copy of his hero, D’Banj brings Afrobeat to life and into the 21st century with breathless enthusiasm as well as a good dose of humor. All of his songs are based on true life stories of his own life, often hilarious but with a deeper meaning which documents the struggle of a young African trying to achieve his dreams. In his case is to be a successful artiste/musician. D’Banj is music and music is D’Banj. He performs in Yoruba, English and like his hero Fela Kuti in Pidgin English and has performed his songs as guest at various JJC & 419 Squad shows including WOMAD River mead. Whilst being a charming, easy-going and humble young man, D’Banj has just one ambition; to be the biggest living African artiste in the world. With his first album titled NO LONG THING which was produce by young and talented producer; Don Jazzy which has hit tracks like; TONGOLO, MOBO LOWO WON, ALL THE WAY, SOCOR & AIRBORNE, an infectious Afrobeat tune with a juju edge, the dream is not far fetch. D’Banj was born as Dapo Daniel Oyebanjo in the Northern city of Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria to an artillery officer and a church dignitary whom hailed from Shagamu in Ogun State. Due to his father’s job, D’Banj moved several times within Nigeria as well as abroad to India. He was sent to Nigerian military school at age 11 and was expected to enter the military like his father, but at 14 D’Banj picked up a weapon of different kind and altogether more peaceful; the harmonica. He was introduced to this instrument by his late brother who tragically died in a plane crash at age 17. His brother’s harmonica was one of his possessions recovered after the incidence and D’BANJ started to cherish it. His incredible harmonica skills are self taught; he says, “I play the harmonica like it was built for me”. D’Banj became more and more involved in music and he cannot see himself doing anything else with the same passion. His song “All The Way” is about the struggles he has faced with his parents over his chosen career. Dapo has now adopted the elegant, almost French-sounding name “D’Banj”, a combination of his first name Dapo and his surname Oyebanjo. He has recorded songs with established artistes like Ruggedman, SID, JJC & 419 Squad among others. He has also performed along side many international artiste here in Nigeria; Bennie Man, Wayne Wonder etc. He will also perform alongside Ja Rule come December 16th, 2005. D’Banj just won the recently concluded Kora Awards, 2005 as the MOST PROMISING MALE ARTISTE of the syear in South Africa for his effort. D’Banj is a natural charismatic, energetic and infectious performer that can hold his audience to ransom for as long as he wants because nobody ever gets tired of listening to him. He is a kind of artiste that can do more than hold his own any time. D’Banj is the KOKO………..NO LONG THING!

D'banj Rocks, No long thing.