They don't speak English, but the sounds are very international, man! I remember what I started working outside of Latin America I was promoting a Spanish album.

It worked in many continents, so I believe they can do it as well. It's because of approach and the anger, as in the passion, and the strength they bring to the music.

-Are you proud to have made the crossover to being an international star, when you were promoting the Spanish album?
It was what needed to happen. When I did a tour back in 1998 with a Spanish album, we visited I think 34 or 36 non-Spanish speaking cities, I said...what's next? Let's try English.

I had recorded in French, Italian, even Portuguese and Filipino back then. So, what's next? It was the obvious step to take back then in my career, and it worked beautifully.

The album sold almost 20 million copies around the world. The tour we did with Livin' La Vida Loca was amazing. So, it was perfect. It needed to happen.

-You've been playing some of these songs for a long time. How do you keep it fresh, for yourself?
When I go on stage I try to create different arrangements for, say, 'Livin' The Vida Loca', 'She Bangs'...we try the classics that people are always expecting to hear.

I bring different instrumentation and musical arrangement, keeping the same melody which is what people love to sing.

I try to bring another approach, that being more rock, more focused on ska, maybe turn it into something more urban which has worked in the past. I do it for the audience, I also do it for myself.

-Do you think, without the new arrangements, you'd get bored of some of these tracks?
A couple of years ago, after spending three years without listening to my music at all, I walked into my studio and I pressed play on 'Livin' La Vida Loca'.

I said...what the f*** is up with this song? It is a f****** massive track! The fusion of the ska, with the rock and the Latin horns. It is what is it!

It's a classic today, and I'm like...we can't change this. People don't get tired of this song. Then I was talking to great producers and composers who are like...Rick, this is in my Top 5 of the last ten years.

What I'm trying to say is we try to create different arrangements for the songs, but when I go back to the beginning, to the moments of 'Livin' The Vida Loca' being created...it's creates a really heavy comfort zone.

It's needed. At the same time, hey man, don't try to fix what's not broken.

-You've been tied in the past to George Bush, then pulled away from that with the war. Is it important for people to use the platform they've got to raise awareness?
Well, it's incredible. You know with the power of social media, Twitter, Facebook...I press button and 7 million find out about what I'm thinking or need to say.

Yeah, it's a big responsibility and we need to take advantage of it. It's a power that not everybody has. If was go back in time to the moment where I took the picture with Bush, it was the Inaugural Ball.

With my Foundation, I've always had to talk to politicians. It's very important that, if I'm a human rights activist, to get them involved in my mission. I was talking about human trafficking specifically.

It was Bush's first night as President. Then the war came, and I was just not pro-war at all, I never have been. I will always meet with leaders because of the activist that I am.

They need to be part of this. We need to reinforce laws, and create laws if necessary. When I don't agree, I will talk. I will be diplomatic, but I cannot stay quiet.

-What are your plans for the rest of the year?
It's going to be tour, tour, tour until December. We started in Puerto Rico, then Canada, the United States and Mexico. Now we're doing Europe, then we finish the year in South American.

Then I will become a New York City resident, because I'm doing Broadway. I'm doing Evita. I'm reviving Che. So, it's going to be a very cool year.

Like I said before, I'm going to be able to be creative on stage, and also have time to spend with my kids, and to write.

-What final message would you give to anyone reading?
Hm, a final message? You know, have a beautiful summer. Just be yourself and enjoy. Life is too short.

Female First - Alistair McGeorge

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