Shakira – Queen of Latin Music

Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll is Colombian songwriter, musician, singer, producer, actress, dancer and a philanthropist who was born on 2nd February 1977. She was regarded as the queen on Latin music for her choice and versatility in the industry. She started her journey as early as at 13 years when she was featured in the Sony Music Colombia. After completing her first four albums in different languages, she enters into a fifth one in the English language, called Laundry Service which was released in 2001. This single sold 13 million copies all over the world. She also became a leading cross over artist for her albums “Wherever, Whenever” and “Underneath Your Clothes”.

Early Life and Career

Shakira was born in 1977 in Colombia and was raised as a Catholic. At the age of six, she started writing poetry and eventually evolved into songs. After losing her brother to an accident, she wrote her first song in Latin that translated ‘Your Dark Glasses’,  that resembled her father’s grief hid behind the dark glasses.

After everyday practice of belly dancing, she was invited to participate in events at the age of 10 and 13, which helped gain recognition and gained her first contract for the Sony Music Colombia in 1990. She gained exposure after her first singles ‘Magia’ was aired on the Colombian radio. Since her first albums were a commercial failure, Sony decided to fun for the third one as her last chance for the contract and the album reached immense popularity. Shakira’s third album not only gained her popularity but also was the top 5 songs on the US Billboard Latin charts.

She arranged her first international tour in 1996 for a year, and it consisted of 20 shows in various regions and countries. Since then her fame and popularity in grew up the graph.

Philanthropy

She started the Pies Descalzos Foundation, which is a Colombian charity and other international groups as well. The foundations laid emphasis on the education of the needy and their aid for healthy food and shelter. So far, the organization has constructed five schools that provide free education and meals to over 4000 unprivileged students.

Awards and achievements

Apart from being titles as the Top Female Latin Artist of the decade, during the course of her music career, Shakira received various awards including

• Grammys
• 12 Latin Grammys award
• 39 Billboard Latin Music Awards
• 6 Guinness World records
• 7 Billboard Music Awards

Shakira is also the most-streamed Latin artist on Spotify and is also one of the three female Latin artists to cross over 2 billion views on Youtube. Adding to her award collections are the Latin recording. Academy person of the year and the President’s Advisory comments on Education Excellence for Hispanics. She was also the top-earning women in 2008 and 2019, according to the listing of Forbes. She’s also performed thrice in the openings of the FIF World cup.