Shakira — Colombian singer-songwriter

Shakira

Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll

Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll ( shə-KEER-ə, Spanish: [ʃaˈkiɾa isaˈβel meβaˈɾak riˈpol]; born 2 February 1977) is a Colombian singer-songwriter, dancer, and record producer. Referred to as the "Queen of Latin Music", she has had a significant impact on the musical landscape of Latin America and has been credited with popularizing Hispanophone music globally, contributing to increased learning and use of the Spanish language worldwide. She is also credited with opening the doors of the international market for other Latin artists. Her accolades include four Grammy Awards and 15 Latin Grammy Awards. Shakira made her recording debut with Sony Music Colombia at the age of 14. She rose to prominence with the albums Pies Descalzos (1995) and Dónde Están los Ladrones? (1998). Her first English release, Laundry Service (2001), sold over 13 million copies worldwide, becoming the best-selling album by a female Latin artist. Her success was further solidified with the Spanish-language albums Fijación Oral, Vol. 1 (2005), Sale el Sol (2010), El Dorado (2017), and Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran (2024), all of which topped the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart, making her the first woman with number-one albums across four different decades. Her English albums Oral Fixation, Vol. 2 (2005), She Wolf (2009), and Shakira (2014) achieved platinum status worldwide. Shakira is among the world's best-selling musicians with numerous number-one singles, including "Estoy Aquí", "Ciega, Sordomuda", "Whenever, Wherever / Suerte", "Underneath Your Clothes", "Objection (Tango)", "La Tortura", "Hips Don't Lie", "Beautiful Liar", "She Wolf", "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)", "Loca", "Rabiosa", "Can't Remember to Forget You", "Dare (La La La)", "La Bicicleta", "Chantaje", "Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53", "TQG", and "Dai Dai". Shakira served as a coach on two seasons of the American singing competition television series The Voice (2013–2014), had a voice role in the animated films Zootopia (2016) and Zootopia 2 (2025), and executive produced and judged the dance competition series Dancing with Myself (2022). Billboard named her the Top Female Latin Artist of the Decade twice (2000s and 2010s), and she was nominated for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2026. Involved with the FIFA World Cup at various points since 2006, Shakira has been described as the tournament's artistic, publicity, and humanitarian icon. Shakira has written or co-written a vast majority of music and lyrics she performed during her career and is regarded as an "international phenomenon", known for blending Western and Middle Eastern influences. She received the Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year and Harvard Foundation Artist of the Year awards in 2011, for her philanthropic and humanitarian work, such as the Barefoot Foundation, and was appointed to the President's Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics. Additionally, she was granted the honor of Chevalier of the Order of Arts and Letters by the French government in 2012, and advocates for equitable development of the Global South, the rights and interests of children, the Latino minority in the U.S. and Canada, women, and other under-represented groups.

Singer Songwriter Dancer Latin Pop Colombia Barranquilla Music

Shakira (born ) is a Colombian singer-songwriter, dancer, and record producer. Referred to as the "Queen of Latin Music", she has had a significant impact on the musical landscape of Latin America and has been credited with popularizing Hispanophone music globally.

Born in Barranquilla, Colombia, Shakira made her recording debut with Sony Music Colombia at the age of 13. Throughout her career, she has released numerous hit albums including Pies Descalzos, Dónde Están los Ladrones?, Laundry Service, Oral Fixation, and She Wolf. Her music blends elements of Latin, pop, rock, and Arabic influences.

Shakira has won numerous awards including four Grammy Awards and 15 Latin Grammy Awards. She is one of the best-selling music artists of all time, with an estimated 80 million records sold worldwide. Her halftime show performance at Super Bowl LIV in 2020 was one of the most-watched performances in history.

Early life and education

Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll was born on February 2, 1977, in Barranquilla, a city located on the northern Caribbean coast of Colombia. She is the only child of William Mebarak Chadid and Nidia Ripoll Torrado. Her parents are of Lebanese and Catalan descent, though she has distant Italian roots through an ancestor with the surname Pisciotti.

Shakira was raised Catholic and attended Catholic schools. She has eight older half-siblings from her father's previous marriage. From a young age, she showed a passion for singing and performing, often entertaining family gatherings with her performances.

At age 14, Shakira signed with Sony Music Colombia after performing three songs for executives. She enrolled at University of the North to study music, though she eventually left to focus on her music career.

Career

Early career (1990–2000)

Shakira's debut album, "Magia", was released in June 1991 under Sony Music Colombia. The album consisted of pop rock ballads and disco uptempo songs, though it was not a commercial success, selling only 1,200 copies in Colombia.

Her second album, "Peligro" (1993), was better received but still not commercially successful. However, her third album, "Pies Descalzos" (1995), became a major breakthrough, reaching number five on the U.S. Billboard Top Latin Albums chart and selling over 5 million copies worldwide.

Her fourth album, "Dónde Están los Ladrones?" (1998), became an even bigger worldwide hit, selling over 7 million copies. The album featured hit singles like "Ciega, Sordomuda", "Inevitable", and "Ojos Así".

Crossover to English-language market (2001–2005)

In 2001, Shakira made her crossover to the English-language market with the album "Laundry Service". The album's lead single, "Whenever, Wherever", became an international success, reaching number one in most countries and number six on the U.S. Hot 100.

Laundry Service became the best-selling album of 2002, eventually selling more than 15 million copies worldwide. The album established Shakira's musical presence in the mainstream North American market.

Her subsequent albums, including "Oral Fixation, Vol. 2" (2005), continued her success. The album featured the hit single "Hips Don't Lie" featuring Wyclef Jean, which reached number one in multiple countries.

Global superstardom (2006–present)

Shakira's performance of "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)", the official song of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, became one of the most-watched music videos of all time, with over 3 billion views on YouTube. The song cemented her status as a global icon.

Throughout the 2010s and 2020s, Shakira continued to release chart-topping music and collaborate with artists like Rihanna, Maluma, and Cardi B. Her halftime show performance at Super Bowl LIV in 2020, alongside Jennifer Lopez, was watched by over 100 million viewers.

In 2023, Shakira achieved massive success with the single "Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53" with Bizarrap, which broke numerous records and became a cultural phenomenon.

Artistry and musical style

Shakira's music is characterized by its fusion of Latin, pop, rock, and Arabic influences. She is known for her distinctive vocal style, which includes a unique vibrato and ability to switch between singing and rapping.

Her performances are renowned for their energy and choreography, often incorporating belly dancing moves that reflect her Lebanese heritage. She plays multiple instruments including guitar, harmonica, and drums.

Recognition and achievements

Shakira's career has been marked by numerous achievements and records:

  • Four Grammy Awards and 15 Latin Grammy Awards
  • One of the best-selling music artists of all time with over 80 million records sold
  • Most-watched halftime show performance in Super Bowl history
  • Over 97 million followers on Instagram
  • Multiple Billboard Hot 100 top-ten hits
  • UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 2003

Personal life

Shakira was in a long-term relationship with Spanish footballer Gerard Piqué from 2011 to 2022. The couple has two sons: Milan (born 2013) and Sasha (born 2015). Their relationship was highly publicized, and their breakup in 2022 became major international news.

Shakira is known for her philanthropic work, particularly through her Barefoot Foundation, which provides education and nutrition to children in Colombia and other developing countries.

Discography

Studio albums

  • Magia (1991)
  • Peligro (1993)
  • Pies Descalzos (1995)
  • Dónde Están los Ladrones? (1998)
  • Laundry Service (2001)
  • Fijación Oral, Vol. 1 (2005)
  • Oral Fixation, Vol. 2 (2005)
  • She Wolf (2009)
  • Sale el Sol (2010)
  • Shakira (2014)
  • El Dorado (2017)
  • Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran (2024)
Shakira — Latin Grammy 2023
Shakira — Latin Grammy 2023 — Wikimedia Commons
Shakira 2014
Shakira — 2014 — Wikimedia Commons
Shakira — Global Citizen 2017
Shakira — Global Citizen 2017 — Wikimedia Commons
Shakira — Rio
Shakira — Rio — Wikimedia Commons

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References

  1. "Shakira." Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shakira
  2. "Shakira | Songs, Age, Biography." Britannica. britannica.com
  3. Wikidata entity: Q34389 — Shakira. wikidata.org/wiki/Q34389

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