David Bisbal

When David Bisbal failed to win the top spot on Spain's Operación Triunfo (American Idol meets Big Brother), he probably didn't think he'd become a bigger pop star than just about any Spaniard since Enrique Iglesias. But even then, the intensity, passion and sincere optimism that has become his most beloved trademark set him apart from his reality TV co-stars.

Bisbal's debut album, Corazón Latino (Latin Heart), has sold over one million copies in Spain alone (the equivalent of selling over 7 million copies in the U.S.) and that buzz, along with an export-ready album title, propelled Bisbal on a long tour of Latin America and the U.S.. His second album, Bulería, overflowing with heartfelt ballads and Flamenco Pop dance songs, stands to be an even bigger commercial success. (It won't hurt that Bulería's fourth track, "Esta Ausencia", was picked up as the theme song to the telenovela Piel de otoño.)

If you can imagine an Alejandro Sanz without Shakira’s hips, an edgier Luis Miguel or Justin Timberlake by way of the once Arab south of Spain, you've got some sense of what makes this 27 year-old from Almería so charismatic.

With the release of Premonición just two weeks ago Bisbal is making big waves in the U.S.. The album has gone gold in the U.S. and Puerto Rico in record time and the single Quién me iba a decir has already charted at number one on radio stations across the U.S. and Spain. Everything about this third coming reeks of confidence; on the album's cover, as Bisbal strikes a seductive, vaguely Christ-like pose. If you know Spanish culture, this is as close as it gets to that D'Angelo video.

Among Premonición's musical highlights is the explosive party hit Torre de Babel (Tower of Babel) which features master flamenco guitarist Vicente Amigo and gets a canny remix from reggaetoneros Wisin & Yandel.

David Bisbal has arrived.