It was 33 years ago that Nelly Kim Furtado was born in the Canadian city of Victoria, British Columbia and it is today that her fans celebrate her birthday with videos, images and Twitter messages featured on her official website!

 Nelly fans from all around the world joined the project by wishing her a happy birthday drawing pictures of her, making digital collages, taking pictures of themselves with their Nelly items, filming videos and tweeting their best wishes. 

The initiative created to help fans show their love and support for Nelly has brought them together even more! Nelstars from all over the world have also met and seen new friends who share their admiration for her.

 Thank you to all of you who supported the campaign, this celebration belongs to you.

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ESP

¡Hoy es el cumpleaños de Nelly! 

Fue hace 33 años que Nelly Kim Furtado nació en la ciudad canadiense de Victoria, British Columbia y es hoy que sus fans celebran su cumpleaños con videos, imágenes y mensajes de Twitter presentados en su website oficial. 

Los fans de Nelly de todo el mundo se unieron al proyecto y le desearon un feliz cumpleaños haciendo dibujos y collages digitales de ella, tomándose fotos con sus items de Nelly, grabando videos y enviando sus mejores deseos por Twitter.

 ¡La iniciativa creada para ayudar a los fans a mostrar su amor y apoyo a Nelly los ha unido aún más! Nelstars de todo el mundo también se han conocido y han visto a nuevos amigos que comparten su admiración por ella.

Gracias a todos ustedes quienes apoyaron la campaña, ésta celebración les pertenece.

Last January, I was invited to Africa. Somehow, I knew it was time to come home.

While the people, the places left such strong impressions, the hope I left Africa with was more profound than anything else.

I learned so much about community, spirituality and, of course, song and dance, African rhythms, and the sustainable work Free The Children does in true partnership with communities in Kenya and worldwide – Sierra Leone, India, Ecuador, China to name a few.

I learned how one country’s political realities can affect all the nations sharing Africa. I learned about Moammar Gadhafi as a leader and dictator. I felt so ignorant but, at the same time, enlightened. My thoughts immediately went back to a concert I performed as part of a celebration thrown by someone described as an “oil sheik” in Italy in 2007. That night, I met a “son of Gadhafi” who had helped pay for the celebration. I didn’t know much about Libya then; in Kenya, I began to learn more.

A month or two after I returned from Kenya, as the Libyan civil war heated up, I found myself, BlackBerry in hand at 3 a.m., unable to sleep: In Libya, people who rightly believed the cost of freedom was worth it because the benefits were tenfold, were being killed; people were living things I couldn’t truly fathom, but I could feel the weight of them inside my heart. At that moment, in an act of solidarity, I sent a tweet about my intentions to return money I felt wasn’t truly mine.

I decided to give the $1-million (what I was paid to cover all expenses for the 2007 concert) to Free The Children, but wanted a plan that would include the people of Libya. I decided on a sustainable program, rather than immediate aid, inspired by the work I had seen in action with Free The Children in Kenya. I wanted to support women’s rights in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) regions of Libya, Egypt, Tunisia and Gaza. I wanted to help educate girls so they might have a place in the new democratic regimes in MENA postrevolution – a revolution many women helped spark.

I also wanted to build another school in Kenya like the beautiful Kisaruni school where I spent life-changing days – a school that would support brave girls like the ones I had met, girls so confident they put my 14-year-old self to shame. I wanted and needed the help of youth across North America, so I’ve set up a matching program through Free The Children to inspire youth to do more fundraising and believe in the “power of we.”

I vividly remember my life-changing experience at the concert in Italy in 2007. Then, it felt like a story I could tell my grandchildren about the brutal but very real divide between the extremely wealthy and the extremely poor. I felt I had seen the “other side” – an “other” rarely known by someone with my humble beginnings. At the time, I felt like a servant performing at an invisible king’s court, realizing for the first time just how common the role of “entertainer” is in the grand scheme of the ages. That said, I realized my price tag for the evening would have raised the eyebrows of my music conductor grandfather in the Azores. Now I understand that the feeling in the pit of my stomach was just the toll of that amazing bell we all have within that signifies a new journey in life. Then, the sound was faint. Today, it rings louder than ever in my heart. It’s so ironic that I went to Kenya intending “to help” and left as the one who received the most charity.

The world is and always will be complicated. Moral dilemmas will continue to be present in my career, which attempts to merge corporate and emotional needs on a daily basis. The world is changing faster than we can handle. Money rules.

Yet, in that rural town in Kenya near Kisaruni High School, God rules. I now laugh at the phrase “Third World,” because the “Third World” is so full of human triumph. In many ways, it is the heart of the spiritual world. A name like “third eye world” would be more appropriate. It is the world that contains the people who will save us with their proximity to God, primordial relevance and belief in the human senses and sensitivities – the very things that make us vital as humans and will ensure our survival. We just need to wake up and start joining forces.

• 3 fan clubs from Latinamerica: Nelly Furtado México, Manos al Aire Argentina and Party's Just Begun Chile, got together and launched this awesome site for Nelly's Bday! Go to this site here
• En Manos de Nelly Furtado México has a really cool LIVE radio show streaming tonight!! They will do some interviews with different Nelly's Fan clubs from all over the world! Check it out here

• One of fans favorite fan site Nellyfurtadodaily.com has a really special video message for Nelly! Check out the video here

• Nelly's fan clubs from Germany and Spain also got together and they shared this really special video with Nelly on her b-day! Watch it here
  

What’s more, in order to enter, you have to play our brand new Nelly Furtado video matching game!

Simply click here and log onto the game using your Facebook or Twitter account - get testing your Nelly knowledge and be in with a chance of winning a once-in-a-lifetime prize.

The winners will be picked from the Top 100 players, so get going and good luck!

Left: “Singer Nelly Furtado accepts the award for Best Female Pop Vocal Album for "Mi Plan" at the 11th annualLatin Grammy Awards in Las Vegas, Nevada November 11, 2010. REUTERS/Mario Anzuoni”Right: “Nelly Furtado, center, performs with JabbaWockeeZ dance crew at the 11th AnnualLatin Grammy Awards on Thursday, Nov. 11, 2010, in Las Vegas.… Read more » (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

News Release - ROGERS & COWAN – November 12, 2010

With “The Best of Nelly Furtado” Set For Release Next Week on November 15^th…

NELLY FURTADO CELEBRATES LATIN GRAMMY AWARD WIN FOR “BEST FEMALE POP VOCAL ALBUM”

Already a GRAMMY Winner, The Multi-Cultural Music Ambassador Sees Her Debut Spanish Language Album “Mi Plan” Enthusiastically Embraced By Members Of The Latin Recording Academy

“I haven’t prepared anything...but in my heart I have so much to say, to the people, to the Latin world.. Thank you very much for your support and for your trust in me, thank you to my fans, I have so much love for all of you!” – Nelly Furtado’s onstage acceptance (translated from Spanish)

The Live Awards Broadcast Also Sees Furtado Give A Standout Medley Performance Of New Single “Fuerte” And “Bajo Otra Luz” – Where She Was Joined By Both Mala Rodríguez And Hip-Hop Dance Crew JabbaWockeeZ

With Furtado Brining Together Many Of Latin Music’s Most Creative Talents Such As Juan Luis Guerra, Alejandro Fernandez, Concha Buika, Julieta Venegas, Mala Rodriguez, Alex Cuba And More, The New York Times Hailed “Mi Plan” As:

“An album of supremely catchy, hemisphere-hopping Spanish-language pop… Switching languages hasn’t changed Ms. Furtado’s pop knack…. Furtado works with some of Latin pop’s leading figures, but [her] own sensibility is never eclipsed... the songs stay bright, friendly and heartfelt”

Now You Can Get A First Look At A Forthcoming Series Of Inside The Studio Videos With Many Of The Artists Involved In The Making of Mi Plan:

http://www.youtube.com/nellyfurtado#p/a/u/0/mT-ompnJDPo

NEW MUSIC RELEASES FROM NELLY FURTADO

• “The Best Of Nelly Furtado” Will Be Released Worldwide On November 15^th. The Video For Brand New Single “Night Is Young” Has Just Premiered: http://www.nellyfurtado.com/player/default.aspx?meid=6226

· The “Mi Plan Remixes” Album Is Now Available. With Contributions From Some Of The World’s Leading DJs Such As Tiesto, Robbie Rivera, Twisted Dee, Demolition Crew & More, The Album Features Special Club Mixes Of The Hit Singles From Mi Plan: “Manos Al Aire” - “Bajo Otra Luz” - “Mas” and New Single “Fuerte” (Which Has Already Reached #2 On Billboard’s “Hot Dance Club Play” Chart. Watch The Video For “Fuerte” Here:

http://www.nellyfurtado.com/player/default.aspx?meid=6212

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

WATCH NELLY FURTADO’S PERFORMANCE ON THE LATIN GRAMMY AWARDS:

Further Demonstrating the Level Of Latin Music Talent That Joined Nelly on “Mi Plan”,

Many Of Her Album Collaborators Also Took Home Awards Last Evening:

- Juan Luis Guerra: Album of the Year

-Alex Cuba: Best New Artist

- Mala Rodríguez: Best Urban Song

- Julieta Venegas: Best Short Form Music Video

For All The Latest News On Nelly Furtado, Please Visit:

- www.nellyfurtado.com –

For more information on Nelly Furtado and Mi Plan, please contact:

John Reilly at 212.445.8440 / jreilly@rogersandcowan.com

News Release - ROGERS & COWAN – November 10, 2010

• NELLY FURTADO Will Perform On The Latin Grammy Awards. Nelly And Mala Rodriguez Will Perform “Bajo Otra Luz”For The First Time Together On Univision’s November 11^th Latin Grammy Broadcast From Las Vegas (8 – 11 p.m. ET).

• FURTADO’s Debut Spanish Album “Mi Plan” Holds A LATIN GRAMMY Nomination For “Best Female Pop Vocal Album”. Billboard Picks The Album As A Compelling & Deserving Winner: “LATIN GRAMMYS: PREMIO PREDICTIONS: Best female pop vocal album: Nelly Furtado is the certain winner with the very compelling "Mi Plan" (Universal Music Latino), an album that deserves to win for sheer musicianship and star power.” – Leila Cobo, Billboard

• The “Mi Plan Remixes” Album Is Now Available. With Contributions From Some Of The World’s Leading DJs Such As Tiesto, Robbie Rivera, Twisted Dee, Demolition Crew & More, The Album Features Special Club Mixes Of The Hit Singles From Mi Plan: “Manos Al Aire” - “Bajo Otra Luz” - “Mas” and New Single “Fuerte” (Which Has Already Reached #2 On Billboard’s “Hot Dance Club Play” Chart. Watch The Video For “Fuerte” Here:

http://www.nellyfurtado.com/player/default.aspx?meid=6212

• “The Best Of Nelly Furtado” Will Be Released Worldwide On November 15^th. The Video For Brand New Single “Night Is Young” Has Just Premiered: http://www.nellyfurtado.com/player/default.aspx?meid=6226

- www.nellyfurtado.com –

For more information on Nelly Furtado and Mi Plan, please contact:

John Reilly at 212.445.8440 / jreilly@rogersandcowan.com

Standard Edition

» www.nellyfurtado.com

MI PLAN REMIXES on iTunes!

Exclusive sale for this week only $5.99 !! Buy Now! CLICK HERE

1. Fuerte (Spanglish Version feat. Concha Buika)
2. Manos Al Aire (Robbie Rivera Radio Mix)
3. Mas (Urban Remix feat. Tony Dize)
4. Bajo Otra Luz (Humby Remix)
5. Fuerte (Twisted Dee Club Mix)
6. Manos Al Aire (Juan Magan Remix)
7. Mas (Rebirth Demolition Crew Mix)
8. Bajo Otra Luz (The Wizard Remix)
9. Fuerte (Humby Urban Club Mix)
10. Manos al Aire (Tiesto Remix)
11. Bajo Otra Luz (Rebirth Demolition Mix)
12. Fuerte (Cajjmere Wray Hot Swear Mix)

DESPUÉS DEL ÉXITO MULTIPLATINO CON SU PRIMER DISCO EN ESPAÑOL MI PLAN, NELLY FURTADO PRESENTA SUS EXITOS EN ESPAÑOL REMEZCLADOS

INLCUYE EL EXITO #1 “MANOS AL AIRE”, “MAS” Y “BAJO OTRA LUZ”

PRESENTANDO SU NUEVO SENCILLO Y CLUB HIT NACIONAL

“FUERTE” (CON CONCHA BUIKA)

A LA VENTA EL 26 DE OCTUBRE

El primer sencillo “Fuerte” incluye la colaboración de la artista española Concha Buika, quien está nominada este año para un Latin Grammy, y ya es un himno nacional en clubes de los estados unidos llegando a la posición #2 en el Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Play Chart. El video del mismo fué grabado en locaciones en Canada y España bajo la dirección Richard Bernardin, Robacho Buika and Aaron A.

Track Listing:

1. Fuerte (Original English Version feat. feat. Concha Buika)
2. Manos Al Aire (Robbie Rivera Radio Mix)
3. Mas (Urban Remix feat. Tony Dize)
4. Bajo Otra Luz (Humby Remix)
5. Fuerte (Twisted Dee Club Mix)
6. Manos Al Aire (Juan Magan Remix)
7. Mas (Rebirth Demolition Crew Mix)
8. Bajo Otra Luz (The Wizard Remix)
9. Fuerte (Humby Urban Club Mix)
10. Manos al Aire (Tiesto Remix)
11. Bajo Otra Luz (Rebirth Demolition Mix)
12. Fuerte (Cajjmere Wray Hot Swear Mix)

Para más información sobre NELLY FURTADO visita:

www.nellyfurtado.com

twitter.com/nellyfurtado

www.facebook.com/nellyfurtado

www.universalmusica.com

AFTER THE MULTI-PLATINUM SUCCESS OF HER SPANISH DEBUT ALBUM MI PLAN, NELLY FURTADO PRESENTS

HER SPANISH HITS REMIXED

INCLUDES THE #1 RADIO HIT “MANOS AL AIRE”, “MAS” Y “BAJO OTRA LUZ”

FEATURING NEW SINGLE AND NATIONAL CLUB HIT

“FUERTE” (FEAT. CONCHA BUIKA)

IN-STORES  OCTOBER 26TH

(Miami, FL ) Octubet 26, 2010 - On the heels of a Latin Grammy Nomination for “Best Pop Vocal Album” for her Multi-Platinum and completely in Spanish debut album Mi Plan, Nelly Furtado is set to release on October 26^th an eclectic collection of remixes showcasing versions of her latest Spanish HIT singles including the #1 radio HIT “Manos Al Aire”, “Bajo Otra Luz”, “Mas” and “Fuerte”. Made to cater the tastes of DJs and Dance club fanatics, Mi Plan Remixes is sure to take over clubs and dance charts around the world!

Mi Plan Remixes will feature collaborations of the HIT tracks (remixed from their original versions) with Top Latin artists La Mala Rodriguez, Tony Dize and Concha Buika. The 12 tracks featured on the album were remixed by some of today’s most prolific and sought after DJ / Producers including Tiesto, Robbie Rivera, Twisted Dee, Demolition Crew, Cajjmere Wray, Humby and Spaniard Juan Magan

The First single “Fuerte”, featuring 2010 Latin Grammy Nominee Concha Buika, has already become and anthem in the US club scene nationwide, peaking at #2 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Play Chart. The music video was shoot in locations in both Canada and Spain and was directed by Richard Bernardin, Robacho Buika and Aaron A.

Track Listing:

1. Fuerte (Spanglish Version feat. Concha Buika)
2. Manos Al Aire (Robbie Rivera Radio Mix)
3. Mas (Urban Remix feat. Tony Dize)
4. Bajo Otra Luz (Humby Remix)
5. Fuerte (Twisted Dee Club Mix)
6. Manos Al Aire (Juan Magan Remix)
7. Mas (Rebirth Demolition Crew Mix)
8. Bajo Otra Luz (The Wizard Remix)
9. Fuerte (Humby Urban Club Mix)
10. Manos al Aire (Tiesto Remix)
11. Bajo Otra Luz (Rebirth Demolition Mix)
12. Fuerte (Cajjmere Wray Hot Swear Mix)

For more information on NELLY FURTADO visit:

www.nellyfurtado.com

twitter.com/nellyfurtado

www.facebook.com/nellyfurtado

www.universalmusica.com

UK fans can pre-order the album by clicking on the following links, don’t miss out!

HMV - http://zaphod.uk.vvhp.net/v-v/101008121030
Play - http://zaphod.uk.vvhp.net/v-v/101008120928