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, pop rock, dance-pop, world music
Label	Sony Music Latin, RCA Records, Live Nation Entertainment
Spouse	Gerard Piqué (2011–2022)

Shakira. Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll is a Colombian singer, songwriter, dancer, and philanthropist who has become one of the most successful Latin American recording artists in history. Renowned for her distinctive contralto voice and energetic belly dancing performances, she has sold over 80 million records worldwide. Her career, spanning over three decades, has successfully bridged the Latin music and Anglophone markets, earning her numerous Grammy and Latin Grammy Awards.

Early Life and Career

Born in Barranquilla, Colombia, to a Colombian mother and a father of Lebanese descent, Shakira began writing poetry and songs as a child. She signed her first record deal with Sony Music Colombia at age 13, releasing her debut albums, *Magia* and *Peligro*, which saw limited success. Her commercial breakthrough came with the 1995 album *Pies Descalzos*, which spawned major hits across Latin America and Spain. This success was solidified globally with her 1998 album *¿Dónde Están los Ladrones?*, produced by Emilio Estefan, and its lead single "Ojos Así".

Music Style and Influences

Shakira's music is a fusion of Latin pop, rock en español, Arabic, and dance-pop elements, often incorporating instruments like the accordion and darbuka. Her vocal style is characterized by a powerful contralto range with a distinctive vibrato. She cites diverse influences including The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Gloria Estefan, and traditional Lebanese music from her father's heritage. Her innovative blend of rock and roll with Latin rhythms and Middle Eastern melodies has defined her unique sound, particularly evident in songs like "Whenever, Wherever" and "Hips Don't Lie".

Discography

Shakira's discography includes numerous multi-platinum albums. Her first major crossover into the English-language market was the 2001 album *Laundry Service*, featuring the global hit "Whenever, Wherever". Subsequent successful albums include *Fijación Oral, Vol. 1* (2005), which won a Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album, and its companion *Oral Fixation, Vol. 2* (2005), containing "Hips Don't Lie". Later works include *She Wolf* (2009), *Sale el Sol* (2010), and her self-titled album *Shakira* (2014), featuring the hit "Can't Remember to Forget You" with Rihanna. Her most recent studio album is *El Dorado* (2017), which won a Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album.

Awards and Accolades

Shakira is one of the world's most awarded artists. She has won three Grammy Awards, twelve Latin Grammy Awards (holding the record for most won by a female artist), and has been nominated for a Golden Globe Award. She received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2011. In recognition of her cultural impact, she has been honored with the Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year award and a MTV Video Music Award for Best Choreography. Her World Cup anthems, "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and "La La La (Brazil 2014)" for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, are among the best-selling World Cup songs of all time.

Philanthropy and Activism

Shakira founded the Pies Descalzos Foundation in 1997, a charity focused on providing quality education and nutrition for vulnerable children in Colombia. She is a longtime UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, advocating for early childhood development globally. She co-founded the ALAS Foundation (Latin America in Solidarity Action) with other artists and business leaders to promote social investment in early childhood across Latin America. Her advocacy work has led her to address organizations like the World Economic Forum and the United Nations, and she has received awards such as the Crystal Award for her leadership in education.

Personal Life

Shakira was in a long-term relationship with Antonio de la Rúa, son of former Argentine president Fernando de la Rúa, from 2000 to 2010. She later began a relationship with Spanish FC Barcelona footballer Gerard Piqué in 2011; the couple has two sons, Milan and Sasha. They resided primarily in Barcelona, Spain, before announcing their separation in 2022. Fluent in Spanish, English, Portuguese, and some Italian and Arabic, she is known for her sharp business acumen, having served as a coach on the American version of the television series *The Voice*.

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