Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, known as Shakira, needs no introduction—the Colombian singer, dancer, philanthropist, businesswoman and mother is an internationally recognized artist. In the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards, she was awarded the Video Vanguard Award for her extensive musical career and, most of all, her music videos that have been a milestone in the history of pop music.
Shakira, a world class artist, has a multitude of Grammy, Latin Grammy and American Music Awards under her belt. Perhaps best known for hits such as “Whenever, Wherever” and “Hips Don’t Lie,” Shakira is the best-selling Colombian artist of all time, with estimates of more than 70 million albums sold worldwide. In addition, at another stage of her career, she participated as a judge on the popular singing competition show The Voice.
Beginnings of her career
Shakira was born on February 2, 1977 in Barranquilla, Colombia. Born to a Lebanese father and Colombian mother, Shakira honors both her Latin and Arabic heritage in her music. She wrote her first song at the age of 8 and signed her first record deal at 13. Her first hit album was Pies Descalzos in 1996, which sold over 3 million copies. The album featured her signature sound, a mix of Latin, rock and Arabic musical styles. Her next album, ¿Dónde Están Los Ladrones? (1998), reached the top of the Billboard Latin charts. Her unique voice and hip movements were responsible for putting Shakira’s talent on the map.
In 2001, Shakira released her first English-language album, Laundry Service, which quickly became a hit in the United States. The album reached #3 on the charts, selling over 200,000 copies in its first week of release. Subsequently, she released Fijación Oral, Vol. 1 and 2, accompanied by international tours that reaffirmed her success in Latin America and the world. By 2012, Shakira’s album sales in the United States had reached nearly 10 million and her album sales worldwide had reached more than 70 million, making her the best-selling Colombian artist of all time and the second most successful Latin singer after Gloria Estefan.
She was a judge on NBC’s popular singing competition show The Voice. After singing the theme song for the 2010 World Cup, “Waka Waka,” Shakira returned to the World Cup stage in 2014, when she participated in the closing ceremony in Brazil. In 2020, she shared the stage with JLo at the Super Bowl halftime show, an event in which she represented the Latino community “as an important force in the U.S.,” in Shakira’s own words.
Philanthropic side
Simultaneously, Shakira developed her philanthropic mission focused on universal education and early childhood development, with special attention to the health, nutrition and stimulation of children who are not yet in school. The Barefoot Foundation was founded in Barranquilla, Colombia in the late 1990s by Shakira. The foundation offers programs to support children and their families by providing real solutions that not only improve the quality of their lives, but also guarantee their right to a quality education, which will determine their growth and success in society. Thanks to this and her visibility, in October 2011, President Obama appointed Shakira as a member of the Presidential Educational Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics, in which Shakira advised Obama and Secretary Arne Duncan on issues regarding the education of Hispanic students.
The Colombian singer has also participated in projects with the World Bank and is a goodwill ambassador for Unicef. On September 16, Shakira opened a new school in El Bosque, the largest and one of the poorest neighborhoods in Barranquilla, her hometown in Colombia. Shakira’s Barefoot Foundation plans to build more schools in five Colombian departments (Atlántico, Bolívar, Chocó, Norte de Santander and La Guajira), which will join the schools they have built in Barranquilla, Quibdó and Cartagena. This philanthropic organization estimates that since its creation in 1997, it has impacted 152,000 children and young people with educational projects and school infrastructure, and accompanied more than 880,000 families to help them break the cycle of poverty.
Shakira embodies the essence of Latino pride through her unwavering commitment to the celebration and preservation of her cultural heritage. She exudes a deep sense of connection to her roots, showcasing the richness of Latino traditions, language and values with infectious enthusiasm. Whether through her vibrant celebrations of Hispanic holidays, advocacy for immigrant rights, or promotion of Latino arts and culture, Shakira demonstrates a deep dedication to fostering unity and empowerment within the Latino community.
References:
https://www.biography.com/musicians/shakira
https://www.shakira.com/philanthropy
https://time.com/6313045/shakira-best-music-videos-mtv-vmas/
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