Nelly Furtado

In 2000, we were introduced to the dazzling Nelly Furtado as a bright junior member of the Lilith Fair sisterhood via her sing-along smash “I’m Like a Bird.” The Vancouver native kept impressing the critics with Folklore and its banjo-driven “Powerless (Say What You Want).” Exploring her youthful hip-hop roots on 2006's Loose and its crossover hits "Promiscuous" and "Maneater," she then released Mi Plan, her first Spanish language album, in September 2009. Who’s one degree separated from Michael Bublé, Juanes, and the Roots? Nely Furtado. Click on over to Next Steps to find out just how.

Nelly Furtado has said that being Portuguese-Canadian has made her comfortable traveling between social circles, and the same is true of her many musical partnerships. Whether connecting with crooners (like Josh Groban or Michael Bublé), hip-hop collectives (the Roots, Jurassic 5), a Colombian superstar (Juanes, on their energized duet “Fotografia”), or an electronic DJ/producer icon (Paul Oakenfold’s surprisingly emotional “The Harder They Come”), she maintains her (instantly recognizable) voice throughout. And on Ms. Jade’s “Jing Jing.” she impressively comes across just as sassy and authoritative as the Philly MC herself.

Were singer/songwriter Nelly Furtado and iTunes made for each other? Shuffle through her solo tracks and collaborations, and you’ll bounce into everything from melodic pop and positive hip-hop to Spanish language balladry and electronic rock. Whether matching Flo Rida’s mighty delivery on his hip-hop anthem “Jump,” keeping up with the rising star reggaeton duo Wisin y Yandel on their amped “Sexy Movimiento,” or blending voices with country giant Keith Urban on the inspiring “In God’s Hands,” she fits as naturally and tightly as a designer dress on the red carpet.