Italian Laura Pausini started singing at a very young age, mostly influenced by her father, Fabrizio Pausini, making her solo live debut at the age of 12, soon recording an independent album called I Sogni Di Laura. After being discovered by producer Angelo Valsiglio, the singer had the opportunity to participate in San Remo's Festival on February 25, 1993, coming in first place with a song called "La Solitudine" a successful pop ballad which allowed her to release a self-titled album that same year. At that time, the singer was 18 years old. In 1995, after issuing her second album and becoming the best-selling Italian artist, Laura Pausini achieved a Montecarlo's World Music Award, in addition to being voted Latin Revelation of the Year in the U.S. In 1997, the artist started touring worldwide. ~ Drago Bonacich, All Music Guide