María José is a singer, ballet and flamenco dancer, and athlete. She has a B.A. in Communications, is very extroverted and well known and established within the music industry because she was part of one of the most successful pop groups in Mexico.

She was born on January 12, 1976, and her first experience on stage was at age 14 debuting as a dancer in the Spanish Dance Company led by Maria Elena Anaya. She remained in the dance company participating with Flamenco sings as well.

But the peak of her career was reached as part of one of the most important youth groups in the music industry of Mexico: Kabah. Kabah had a national and international success without precedents.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Solo career

[edit] Debut album

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.

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 84^[1] on the top-selling albums in Mexico.^[2]

This song has also appeared on iTunes as a free single during the week of January 11, 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 garnered 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 included 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 shared the category with Eiza Gonzales, from the telenovela Lola...Érase una vez and pop duo Jesse & Joy, who would ultimately won the award.

In late August, "Me Equivoque", along with its video, was released. "¿Donde Esta?", the third and final single of her debut album, was officially released in April 2008. The song's video was filmed in Mexico City at Estudios Churubusco. Twenty lucky fans, who were chosen after winning a contest, were invited to attend the video's filming. ^[3]

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.^[4]

Maria Jose participated in El Show de los Sueños from September 30 to October 19, 2008, finishing in fourth place. In the first show Maria jose, along with her counterpart Thalia, sang "Tocando Fondo". In the following show the two sang "Te Aprovechas". The third show Maria jose and Thalia sang "No me quedas mas" while in the fourth show they sang "Quererte a ti". In the 5th show "Amores Extranos" followed the sixth show with "Amiga Mia".

[edit] Sophomore album

María José began the promotion of her new album by offering a short performance as the opening act of Rihanna's Disturbia tour in Mexico city on January 24, 2009. ^[5] She premiered the song "No soy una señora" during the show.

Amante de lo ajeno was released on May 12, 2009. It consists of 11 songs that form part of memoirs of many generations because they became hits in the voices of pop divas in the 1980s.

[edit] Track listing

• 01 Adelante corazón 3:59
• 02 Acaríciame 3:42
• 03 No soy una señora 3:24
• 04 Y aquí estoy 3:52
• 05 Mi amor, amor 3:18
• 06 Cosas del amor (con Edith Márquez) 4:05
• 07 Sola no, yo no se estar
• 08 Este hombre no se toca
• 09 Herida de muerte 3:06
• 10 Frente a frente 3:29
• 11 No me pregunten por él 3:45

"No soy una señora" was launched as the first single on March 2, and has become very popular in Mexico especially among teenagers. ^[5]

[edit] Influences

María José has declared many times that a few of her major influences are Eugenia Leon, Rocio Durcal, Mecano, Alejandro Sanz, Celine Dion, Christina Aguilera, Mariah Carey, and Boyz 2 Men among many others.

[edit] Discography

[edit] With Kabah

[edit] Solo singles

• ¿Quien Eres Tú?
• Me Equivoque
• ¿Donde Está?
• No Soy Una Señora
• Mi Amor, Amor
• Adelante Corazon
• Sola No, Yo No Se Estar

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• María José Oficial
• María José at MySpace
• Mariajose.com.mx
• Lajosa.net