The Iraq war, the 11-M attacks in Spain and the arrival of José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero to the presidency of our country they marked a very turbulent 2004. But it was also the year in which Mark Zuckenberg founded Facebook in college, Mattel announced the breakup between Barbie and Ken after 43 years as a couple or the last episode of Friends.
Ruslana won Eurovision, not the contestant Triumph operation, who had not been born yet, but the Ukrainian singer. The Spanish woman who did win Junior Eurovision was Maria Isabel with Before dead than simple.
It was the year of the Olympic Games in Athens, the year of the wedding of Philip and Letizia, the current Kings of Spain. And it was the year in which artists like gwen Stefani either Nick Jonas They debuted alone after succeeding with their groups, No Doubt and The Jonas Brothers.
But this time, we are going to focus on other artists who released their debut album in 2004. 20 years later we analyze what was and what is of them.
#1. James Blunt
Once he left the army where he had spent several years, James Blunt He focused on his musical career. At first there were doubts because of his somewhat posh accent, it was not known if he was going to gel well. But when Linda Perry He met him and immediately signed him to a label he had just created. So she started working on Back To Bedlamtheir debut album that was a success thanks, above all, to You’re beautiful, their third single. So, 2005 was, without a doubt, her big year.
Since then he has not stopped publishing albums, the last one on October 28, 2023: Who we used to be. But none has had the impact of that debut in our country. Last year, furthermore, public the book Loosely Based On A Made-Upwhich, without being an autobiography, is based on real events with very wild anecdotes.
He is still in love with Spain and has been married to Sofia Wellesleygranddaughter of the VIII Duke of Wellington, grandee of Spain, since 2014. The couple lives in Ibiza with their two children and their concerts in our country are regular.
#2. Franz Ferdinand
In 2004 he entered the scene Franz Ferdinand with a self-titled album that knew how to combine various post-punk and art rock influences from the 80s with a fresh and avant-garde proposal. Topics like Take Me Out and Darts of Pleasure They quickly became generational anthems that filled the dance floors and made them a reference for 21st century indie.
“It was a crazy time, sometimes hard to believe that this idea that Bob Hardy “and I dreamed in the kitchen of a Glasgow restaurant a couple of years before he could travel around the world several times, bringing immeasurable joy to us and millions of people whose lives he touched in some way,” he recalled just a few days ago. Alex Kapranos when he celebrated 20 years since his debut.
Since then there have been changes in the lineup. Now they are about to release new work, the first since 2018, with non-original members Audrey Tait (drummer), Dino Bardot (guitarist) and Julian Corrie (guitarist, keyboards and vocals).
#3. Keane
It was the mid-90s when Rice-Oxley he formed a rock group with his friend Dominic Scott. They spent almost a decade shaping their project and recording several singles. But his debut album arrived in 2004 with an already defined project. Hopes and Fears It became the second best-selling album that year in the United Kingdom. Her first four albums reached No. 1. His proposal, with the keyboards taking center stage, convinced.
On October 20, 2013 it was announced that Keane would be separated temporarily, indefinitely and Tom Chaplin He began a solo career. But in 2016, and thanks to a film by JA Bayona, who had previously recorded a video clip for them, met again. Although it was not until 2019 when they published what is, until now, their last album.
Next May 10, the group will reissue a special remastered version of their debut album and that same day the band will play at the O2 Arena in London as part of a world Tour which begins April 1 in Mexico City before arriving in Europe. And yes, they will pass through Spain.
#4. The Killers
The Killers They are part of the poster Mad Cool 2024. They will be able to celebrate 20 years since their debut with Hot Fuss. Since then they have released seven studio albums and all of them have achieved No. 1 sales in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Brandon Flowers went to a concert Oasis and decided that he also wanted to make music. He founded the group in 2001.
Although they were originally from Las Vegas They presented themselves with a proposal with clear British influences that they mixed with the emerging modern indie rock, new wave and post-punk.
At the end of last year they launched Rebel Diamondsa compilation album for celebrate those 20 years of a career with many ups and downs, but which has consolidated them as an essential group to understand the history of indie rock.
#5. JD Natasha
Although he was born in Florida, Natasha Jeanette Dueñas, was the daughter of an Argentinean and a Cuban-American. It was precisely in her father’s hair salon where a neighbor heard one of her demos that she sent to the president of EMI. It didn’t take them long to sign her and on July 13, 2004 she launched as JD Natasha, Imperfect/Imperfecttheir debut album with songs in English and Spanish.
That job got 3 nominations for the Latin Grammys in 2005 as revelation artist, best song of the year and best vocal rock album. It is not known exactly what happened, but the truth is that it was her first and last album.
She got her name back, Natasha Jeanette, and joined bands like Fancy Me Yet either The Second Howl that keep her in music, but far from the success of that debut that promised so much.
#6. pitbull
In 2004, pitbull threw MIAMI., the first of the twelve albums he already has to his credit. The American reggaeton singer of Cuban origin who had a tough childhood, due to his parents’ addictions, managed to become one of the highest-paid stars in the industry.
They say that His fortune amounts to 100 million dollars and, although he has never been married, he has six children from different women.. But she leaves that part in the background and focuses on her professional side, which has a multitude of collaborations with great artists from around the world. Lately we have seen him share a tour with Enrique Iglesias and Ricky Martin.
#7. Baby
When in 2004, Baby landed on the music scene with To the outside spider webs It represented a revolution thanks to topics such as Bad, I will always have either She. That same year he took the Ondas Award as revelation artist.
She then released three more albums and combined her life as an actress with that of a singer. But since 2015, we have not had a new album from him. She had problems with her record company and finally won a lawsuit that freed her and she has released some more songs.
In fact, it was on tour at the end of last year, although it received a lot of criticism for its low quality. What no one can complain about is his collaboration with Your other pretty with Colored blue which was released a couple of months ago and is part of the album that the band has just released.
#8. RBD
In 2004, a Mexican series called Rebel and such was the phenomenon that generated that a group called RBD formed by Anahi, Sweet Maria, Maite Perroni, Alfonso Herrera, Christopher Uckermann and Christian Chavez. On November 30 of that year they released their debut album.
Until 2009, they managed to release six albums and become a stadium group that toured the world, triumphing wherever they went. Their last concert was in Madrid on December 21, 2008.. A few months later they released their latest album.
On September 3, 2020, the arrival of a virtual concert was announced that featured the participation of Anahí, Maite, Christian and Christopher. It was the beginning of a return that led them to undertake a tour in 2023. They even have their own Barbie dolls. The phenomenon of 20 years ago has been repeated.
#9. Kanye West
20 years ago Kanye West He released his debut album after a decade producing for other artists and longing to become a rapper. A car accident was the trigger for him to compose his own songs. He was working on his first album which was leaked ahead of time which caused changes and delays. He finally published The College Dropoutin February 2004.
It was the beginning of a career in which the character ended up eating the person. Married to kim kardashian He was at the top and after his divorce and some unfortunate anti-Semitic statements sank him and he has confessed that he was two months away from declaring bankruptcy.
His erratic behavior has caused him to get into multiple controversies, but it seems that a resurgence is coming. This week and without prior notice, he launched Vultures Vol.1 with Ty Dolla $ign. In addition, a homemade Super Bowl ad for his clothing brand claims to have made him millions.
Although he continues to receive a lot of criticism for the exposure he makes of his wife, and is still involved in a thousand controversies that include Taylor Swiftit seems that this year, with a world tour in mind, which could stop in Spain, is not going to be bad.
#10. Natasha Bedingfield
Unwritten It was a real success for Natasha Bedingfield. With her first album she reached No. 1 in the United Kingdom. Good news for his family after a near-fatal accident put his brother’s career in check, Daniel Bedingfieldwhich triumphed a few years earlier.
For six seasons, Unwritten It was the anthem of the MTV reality show The Hills and in Spain it was used as the theme song for Pantene advertisements. It became an anthem for millennials.. Now, it is back in the news thanks to the movie Anyone but you. Surely in recent weeks you haven’t stopped listening to it on TikTok.
Her next two albums were also a success, but in 2009, after marrying businessman Matt Robinson She decided to slow down her work pace and even more so after becoming a mother. Since 2012 she has been preparing an album that has not yet arrived, although she has been releasing different singles and she recently assured that she was still working on it.
#eleven. Nicky Jam
Last October Nicky Jam He left everyone with their mouths open when he announced that he was leaving music. Before that there will be an album and a farewell tour. Will follow the steps of Daddy Yankee who has also left music. It was precisely with him that he took his first steps in this industry, together they were The Cangris.
But in 2004 there was a ruckus between them and they broke up and that’s when Nicky Jam released escante life, their debut album. But it was a time of excesses that took their toll.. Between 2007 and 2017 she did not release any albums, only a few singles, but then she returned stronger than ever.
He has established himself as one of the leaders of reggaeton and has accumulated a large number of collaborations.
#12. Vicente Seguí
The latest edition of Triumph operation has revitalized a format that is lurching in terms of popularity. In 2001 it was the great television revelation that kept an entire country in suspense. The third edition had already lost steam and few remember those who participated in it. Won Vicente Seguí who after winning the contest released his first album, Confidencias. Worse, it did not achieve the expected success, nor did her two subsequent albums.
Although all this time he has been dedicated to music, without massive success, the truth is that last 2022 he said goodbye to his followers online. He retired from music temporarily due to illness and was not sure if he would return at some point.. Nine months later she returned to thank him for the support and affection received during that time and shared his enthusiasm for returning to music. At the beginning of 2023 we were able to see him at a Mediaset gala. Little by little.
20 years goes a long way.
