Shakira

Shakira
Name	Shakira
Caption	Shakira performing in 2010.
Birth name	Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll
Birth date	2 February 1977
Birth place	Barranquilla, Colombia
Occupation	Singer, songwriter, dancer, record producer, philanthropist
Years active	1990–present
Genre	Latin pop, dance-pop, rock en español, world music
Label	Sony Music Latin, RCA Records, Live Nation Entertainment
Associated acts	Carlos Vives, Beyoncé, Alejandro Sanz, Rihanna
Website	shakira.com

Shakira. Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll is a Colombian singer, songwriter, dancer, and philanthropist who is one of the most successful Latin American recording artists of all time. Emerging from Barranquilla, she gained fame across the Hispanic world in the mid-1990s before achieving massive global crossover success in the early 2000s. Renowned for her distinctive vocal style, energetic performances, and fusion of diverse musical genres, she has sold over 95 million records worldwide, won numerous awards including three Grammy Awards and twelve Latin Grammy Awards, and is noted for her extensive philanthropic work through her Barefoot Foundation.

Early life and career beginnings

Born in Barranquilla to a Colombian mother and a father of Lebanese descent, she displayed a passion for writing and performing from a very young age. She signed her first record deal with Sony Music Colombia at age 13, releasing her debut albums *Magia* and *Peligro*, which achieved limited success. Her commercial breakthrough came with the 1995 album *Pies Descalzos*, which spawned major hits across Latin America and Spain. The follow-up, *¿Dónde Están los Ladrones?*, produced with Emilio Estefan and featuring collaborations with Luis Fernando Ochoa, solidified her status as a leading figure in Latin pop and rock en español, earning her first Grammy Award nomination.

Musical style and artistry

Her artistry is defined by a pioneering fusion of Latin music, Middle Eastern influences, rock and roll, and dance-pop. Her signature vocal delivery often incorporates belting and a distinctive vibrato, while her songwriting frequently explores themes of love, heartbreak, and social issues. Key to her global identity is the incorporation of dance forms like belly dance and Latin dance into her elaborate stage shows and music videos. She is also known for playing instruments such as the harmonica, guitar, and drums, and has collaborated with a wide array of artists including Wyclef Jean, Alejandro Sanz, and Beyoncé.

Commercial success and impact

Her 2001 album *Laundry Service*, featuring the global smash "Whenever, Wherever", catapulted her to international superstardom, topping charts from the United States to Australia. Subsequent albums like *Fijación Oral, Vol. 1* and *Oral Fixation, Vol. 2*, which included the record-breaking "Hips Don't Lie" with Wyclef Jean, further cemented her commercial dominance. She has performed at major global events like the FIFA World Cup ceremonies in 2006 and 2010, with "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" becoming one of the best-selling World Cup songs ever. Her success helped pave the way for other Latin artists in the Anglophone market and she has been honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Philanthropy and activism

A dedicated humanitarian, she founded the Barefoot Foundation (Fundación Pies Descalzos) in 1997, which focuses on providing quality education and nutrition for vulnerable children in Colombia. She has served as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 2003, advocating for early childhood development and education globally. She has also been involved with the ALAS foundation alongside figures like Miguel Bosé and Juanes, and has performed at benefit concerts for disaster relief, including efforts following the 2010 Haiti earthquake.

Personal life

She was in a long-term relationship with Antonio de la Rúa, son of former Argentine president Fernando de la Rúa, from 2000 to 2011. Since 2011, she has been in a partnership with Spanish footballer Gerard Piqué, a former player for FC Barcelona and the Spain national football team; the couple has two children. She maintains residences in Barcelona, Miami, and Barranquilla. In 2023, she reached a settlement with the Spanish tax authorities regarding a tax fraud case, a period she described as one of the most difficult of her life.

Discography and filmography

Her major studio albums include *Pies Descalzos* (1995), *¿Dónde Están los Ladrones?* (1998), *Laundry Service* (2001), *Fijación Oral, Vol. 1* (2005), *She Wolf* (2009), and *El Dorado* (2017), the latter winning a Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album. She has also released successful live albums and compilations through Sony Music Latin and RCA Records. Her film and television appearances include a role on the ABC network series *Ugly Betty*, serving as a coach on the American version of *The Voice*, and starring in the concert documentary *Shakira in Concert: El Dorado World Tour*.

Category:Colombian singers Category:Latin pop singers Category:1977 births