In 2018, breakthrough star Dua Lipa teamed up with Spanish pop music legend Pablo Alborán for a powerful rendition of her debut album ballad “Homesick,” which went YouTube-viral. The clip has amassed an incredible 20 million views to date, and fans across the globe still can’t get over the magic.
This stellar performance comes from the LOS40 Music Awards 2018 (think Spanish version of the BRIT Awards), where Dua Lipa completely stole the show, taking home the most awards of any nominated international star. Music Man readers can check out Dua and Pablo’s live collab in the video below.
Dua opens this emotional song, flitting between a beautifully bold voice and tender falsettos. She drapes herself across the grand piano, her chrome-red dress emanating vintage Hollywood vibes as her angelic voice traverses the mountainous highs and lows of her hit.
The live audience breaks their haunting silence to scream after the first chorus, welcoming Pablo’s voice to the hit as he harmonizes on Dua’s second stunning verse. His deep voice is a perfect balance to Dua’s chart-topping tones, while his take on the brief piano solo is flawless.
This Spanish music awards show was the perfect event to sing the hit, Dua originally penning “Homesick” as a love song to her home city, London, after spending the first year of her career traveling the world and spending time in LA. The passion in Dua’s vocals only adds to the reality of her lyrics since she broke out of the London music scene into an era of global fame: “It’s a bittersweet feeling, longing and I’m leaving, I go, I go, I go, but I wish I was there with you.”
That night, Dua Lipa had picked up three awards, including International Artist of the Year (beating Ed Sheeran and Bruno Mars), International Album of the Year (with her self-titled debut release), and International Song of the Year (with “New Rules”). The only nomination she missed out on was International Video of the Year, “New Rules” losing out to David Guetta and Sia’s collab track, “Flames.”
Pablo had one hell of a night himself, picking up awards for Artist of the Year, Album of the Year (with “Prometo”), and Song of the Year (with “El Patio”).
Music Man readers might know Pablo Alborán from his 2010 debut hit, “Solamente Tú,” or his Spanish #1 singles including “Perdóname,” “El Beso,” and “Quién,” amongst many more. Each one of Pablo’s six studio albums has snatched the top spot on the Spanish album charts, including his latest LP: 2022’s “La Cuarta Hoja.”
Dua Lipa’s unforgettable collaboration with Pablo Alborán at the LOS40 Music Awards 2018 remains a standout moment in pop music history, showcasing her incredible talent and star power. With her elegant performance and captivating stage presence, Dua left an indelible mark, reinforcing her position as a powerhouse in the industry. To delve deeper into this iconic performance, be sure to explore the links provided below.