Shakira is a well-known Colombian pop singer who is well recognized for her enthralling belly dance routines in the music video for “Hips Don’t Lie.” Her albums have sold over 70 million copies around the world. Shakira has had a passion for music since she was a child, and she wrote her first poem when she was four years old. She used to dance impromptu at restaurants while listening to groovy music when she was younger. She was known as ‘the belly dancer girl’ because she loved to sing and perform for her classmates and teachers at school. She began performing in her hometown as a teenager, catching the notice of local theater producer Monica Ariza, who introduced her to ‘Sony Colombia’ executive Ciro Vargas. When she was 14, she released her first album, ‘Magia.’ Despite the album’s lack of commercial success, it provided her with much-needed exposure. Her major break came with her third album, ‘Pies Descalzos,’ which reached number one in eight different nations. For the album, she received multiple accolades and nominations, and she became famous overnight. Her success in Latin music led her to branch out and record albums in English. ‘Laundry Service,’ her first attempt at an English language record, went multi-platinum and is considered her most successful album.
Childhood and Adolescence
Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll was born in Barranquilla, Colombia, on February 2, 1977, to Nidia Ripoll and William Mebarak Chadid. From her father’s previous marriage, she has several half-siblings.
She was drawn to the arts since she was a toddler, and she began writing poetry at the age of four. She also enjoyed dancing.
She entertained her teachers and classmates by singing and dancing, earning the moniker “belly dancer girl.”
She became well-known in her neighborhood and was frequently asked to play at various functions.
Monica Ariza, a local theater producer, asked Ciro Vargas, a ‘Sony Colombia’ executive, to conduct an audition for the teen. ‘Sony Colombia’ signed her to record three albums after being impressed by her performance.
Career of Shakira
‘Magia,’ her debut album, was released in 1991. She had written songs since she was eight years old. The album was not a commercial success.
‘Peligro,’ her second album, was published in 1993. Despite the fact that this album did better than its predecessor, it was nevertheless seen as a flop. She took a pause after the release of this album to finish high school and attend classes.
With her third album, ‘Pies Descalzos,’ she returned to the music industry in 1996. The album yielded six hit songs and was well-received by critics. To promote her album, she went on a tour dubbed ‘Tour Pies Descalzos.’
‘Donde Estan los Ladrones?’ was her next album, published in 1998. It featured Latin Pop songs with rock en Espanol characteristics. The record went on to become one of the most popular Spanish-language albums in the United States. It has sold over seven million copies all over the world.
In 2001, she released the album ‘Laundry Service,’ which marked her first foray into the English language market. The album’s debut song, ‘Whenever, Wherever,’ topped the ‘U.S. Billboard Hot Latin Songs’ chart, and the album was characterized by Latin rock and Latin pop styles.
In June 2005, she published her first Spanish album, ‘Fijacion Oral, Vol. 1’. The album ‘Oral Fixation, Vol. 2’ was released in November, and it was followed by the publication of the English album ‘Oral Fixation, Vol. 2’ in December. The album’s lead hit, ‘Hips Don’t Lie,’ reached number one on the ‘US Billboard Hot 100,’ and became her hallmark song.
In 2009, she released her album ‘She Wolf.’ The album sounded surprisingly different from her earlier works, with elements of electropop, dancehall, and global genres. It was praised for its originality.
She sang ‘Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)’ with the South African band ‘Freshlyground,’ the official song of the 2010 ‘FIFA World Cup.’ The song was a huge success.
She released her album ‘Sale el Sol’ in 2010 following the popularity of the single ‘Waka Waka.’ The CD was highly acclaimed and a commercial success around the world. On March 25, 2014, Shakira released her tenth studio album. She also performed the song ‘Dare (La La La)’ at the 2014 ‘FIFA World Cup’ closing ceremony in the same year.
She sang the song “Try Everything” for the 2016 film “Zootopia.” She embarked on her sixth world tour, dubbed “The El Dorado World Tour,” in 2018.
Major Projects of Shakira
Her debut English album, ‘Laundry Service,’ which included the hit track ‘Whenever, Wherever,’ is her best-selling album to date, having sold over 20 million copies worldwide. In various places, it was certified multi-platinum.
The single ‘Hips Don’t Lie,’ from the album ‘Oral Fixation, Vol. 2,’ achieved number one in the United States and 55 other countries. ‘Hips Don’t Lie,’ the best-selling single of the twenty-first century, became her signature tune.
Achievements & Awards
She received two Grammy Awards, one for ‘Best Latin Pop Album’ (2001) and the other for ‘Best Latin Pop/Alternative Album’ (2006) for ‘Fijacion Oral Vol. 1.’
She has eight Latin Grammy Awards to her name, including ‘Best Pop Vocal Album’ in 2010 for ‘Sale el Sol.’
Personal History and Legacy
She was in a long-distance relationship with lawyer Antonio de la Rua before calling it quits in 2011. She began dating Gerard Pique, a Spanish footballer, in 2011. On January 22, 2013, Shakira and Gerard had their first child. Shakira gave birth to their second son on January 29, 2015.
She is well-known for her philanthropic activities and philanthropy. In 1997, she established the ‘Pies Descalzos Foundation.’ The charity helps disadvantaged children by funding schools all around Columbia.
Estimated Net Worth
Trivia
John Lennon of the ‘Beatles’ has a huge influence on her.
Valerie Dominguez, the former Miss Colombia, is her cousin.