Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, born on February 2, 1977, in Barranquilla, Colombia, is a globally recognized singer, songwriter, and dancer. Widely known as the "Queen of Latin Music," she is celebrated for her dynamic musical diversity, seamlessly blending genres such as Latin pop, pop rock, and urban dance with traditional Middle Eastern sounds. Her name, Shakira, means "grateful" in Arabic, a tribute to her Lebanese heritage on her father's side.
Shakira's musical journey started at a very young age. She wrote her first poem at four and her first song at eight. She was notably rejected from her school choir because her powerful vibrato made her sound "like a goat." At 13, she signed her first record deal with Sony Music Colombia, but her initial two albums, Magia (1991) and Peligro (1993), had limited success. Her first breakthrough came with her third album, Pies Descalzos (1995), which sold over four million copies and established her as a major star in Latin America. The album's title, which means "Bare Feet," later inspired the name of her foundation.
In 2001, Shakira made her successful transition into the English-language market with the release of the album Laundry Service. This album, which featured the hit single "Whenever, Wherever," sold over 13 million copies worldwide and solidified her international superstardom. She continued this success with the double-album project, Fijación Oral, Vol. 1 (in Spanish) and Oral Fixation, Vol. 2 (in English), both released in 2005. The English album contained the global sensation "Hips Don't Lie," a collaboration with Wyclef Jean, which topped charts in over 45 countries and became one of the most successful songs of the 21st century.
Beyond her music, Shakira is a dedicated philanthropist. At just 18 years old, she founded the **Pies Descalzos Foundation** to provide education and nutrition to impoverished children in her home country of Colombia. She has since expanded her humanitarian efforts as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and has been appointed to the President's Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics in the United States. Her work has earned her numerous awards, including the Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year and the Harvard Foundation Artist of the Year awards in 2011. Shakira's legacy is one of a musical pioneer who not only opened doors for other Latin artists but also used her platform to advocate for social change and education.
1. Her name, Shakira, means "" in Arabic, a tribute to her Lebanese heritage from her father's side.
2. She wrote her first "" at four and her first song at eight.
3. She was notably "" from her school choir because her powerful vibrato made her sound "like a goat."
4. At 13, she "" her first record deal with Sony Music Colombia.
5. Her third album, Pies Descalzos, "" her as a major star in Latin America.
6. The album's title, Pies Descalzos, later "" the name of her foundation.
7. In 2001, she made a successful "" into the English-language market.
8. Her album Laundry Service "" her international superstardom.
9. She continued her success with the "" project, Fijación Oral and Oral Fixation.
10. "Hips Don't Lie" was a "" with Wyclef Jean.
11. Beyond music, Shakira is a "" philanthropist.
12. She founded her foundation to provide education and nutrition to "" children.
13. She has been "" to the President's Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics.
14. Her work has earned her "" awards, including the Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year.
15. She used her platform to "" for social change and education.