Shakira facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Shakira
Shakira at the 2023 Latin Grammy Awards
Born	Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll (1977-02-02) 2 February 1977 (age 48) Barranquilla, Atlántico, Colombia
Occupation	Singer songwriter dancer record producer
Years active	1990–present
Organization	Barefoot Foundation
Works	Discography songs recorded videography concerts live performances
Partner(s)	Antonio de la Rúa (1999–2010) Gerard Piqué (2011–2022)
Children	2
Awards	Awards records impact
Musical career
Origin	Bogotá, Colombia
Genres	Latin pop pop dance reggaeton rock
Instruments	Vocals guitars harmonica drums
Labels	Sony Colombia Epic RCA Sony Latin
Signature

Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll (born February 2, 1977) is a famous singer and songwriter from Colombia. Many people call her the "Queen of Latin Music" because she has had a huge influence on music in Latin America. She also helped make Spanish-language music popular all over the world. Shakira has won many awards, including four Grammy Awards and fifteen Latin Grammy Awards.

Shakira started her music career very young, signing with Sony Music Colombia when she was just 13. After her first two albums, Magia (1991) and Peligro (1993), didn't sell well, she became very popular with her next albums, Pies Descalzos (1995) and Dónde Están los Ladrones? (1998).

She then started singing in English with her fifth album, Laundry Service (2001). This album sold over 13 million copies worldwide, becoming the best-selling album ever by a female Latin artist. Her success continued with Spanish albums like Fijación Oral, Vol. 1 (2005), Sale el Sol (2010), El Dorado (2017), and Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran (2024). All these albums reached the top of the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart. This made her the first woman to have number-one albums in four different decades! Her English albums, Oral Fixation, Vol. 2 (2005), She Wolf (2009), and Shakira (2014), also sold millions of copies.

Shakira is one of the world's best-selling musicians. She has many hit songs, including "Whenever, Wherever", "La Tortura", "Hips Don't Lie", "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)", "Loca", "Chantaje", "Te Felicito", "Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53", and "TQG". Besides music, Shakira was a coach on the TV show The Voice and voiced a character in the animated movie Zootopia. She also helped produce and judge the dance show Dancing with Myself. Billboard magazine named her the Top Female Latin Artist of the Decade twice.

Shakira has written or co-written most of her songs. She is known for mixing Middle Eastern sounds with Western music and vice versa. She has also done a lot of good work for charity, especially through her Barefoot Foundation. For her music and charity work, she received awards like the Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year and the Harvard Foundation Artist of the Year in 2011. She was also part of the President's Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics in the United States and received an honor from the French government. Shakira often speaks up for children, the Latino community, and other groups.

Early life and beginnings

Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll was born on February 2, 1977, in Barranquilla, Colombia. Her name means "thankful" in Arabic. She is the only child of William Mebarak Chadid and Nidia Ripoll Torrado. Her family has roots in Spain and Lebanon. Shakira was raised Catholic and went to Catholic schools. She has eight older half-siblings from her father's previous marriage. She grew up in Barranquilla, a city on Colombia's northern Caribbean coast.

Shakira wrote her first poem, "La Rosa de Cristal" (The Crystal Rose), when she was only four years old. She loved watching her father write stories. When she was seven, she got her own typewriter and started writing poems that later became song lyrics. When Shakira was two, her half-brother died in a motorcycle accident. Six years later, she wrote her first song, "Tus Gafas Oscuras" (Your Dark Glasses), inspired by her father, who wore dark glasses to hide his sadness.

Shakira's family faced tough times when her father, a jeweler, lost his money when she was eight. They lost their cars and furniture. When she was 14, she bought her parents a car with money from her first album, Magia.

When she was four, Shakira's father took her to a Middle Eastern restaurant. There, she heard the doumbek, a traditional drum used for belly dancing. She loved it and started dancing on a table! She wanted to dance for everyone. At her Catholic school, she would belly dance every Friday morning. Her teachers and parents encouraged her. However, in second grade, she was not allowed in the school choir because her voice was too strong. Classmates even said she sounded like a goat. She was also often sent out of class for being very active. One day, her father took her to a park to see children who lived there without homes. This made a big impression on her, and she promised herself, "one day I'm going to help these kids when I become a famous artist."

Between the ages of ten and thirteen, Shakira performed at events in Barranquilla. She met Monica Ariza, a local theater producer, who helped her. Ariza convinced Sony Music Colombia executive Ciro Vargas to audition Shakira. Vargas was impressed and arranged another audition in Bogotá with other Sony Music executives. Shakira sang three songs and impressed them enough to get a contract at age 13 to record three albums.

Career highlights

Early albums and breakthrough

Shakira's first album, Magia, was recorded when she was 13. It was released in 1991. The songs were a mix of pop rock and disco. Even though it was played on Colombian radio, it didn't sell many copies. After this, her record label wanted her to make another album. In 1993, Shakira performed at the Viña del Mar International Song Festival in Chile and won third place. One of the judges who voted for her was Ricky Martin.

Her second album, Peligro, came out in 1993. It was better than Magia, but Shakira wasn't happy with it and didn't promote it, so it also didn't sell well. She wrote nine of the eighteen songs on her first two albums. She usually doesn't perform songs from these early albums now. In 1993–1994, Shakira also acted in a Colombian TV show called El Oasis.

In 1994, Shakira recorded "¿Dónde Estás Corazón?" for a compilation album in Colombia. This song became a big hit in her home country.

Shakira finished high school at 15. She couldn't continue formal education because of her music career. At her school, nuns encouraged students to help teach children in poor areas. This was one of Shakira's first experiences with child poverty. She later said she missed out on being a typical teenager because she was so focused on her goals.

Pies Descalzos and Dónde Están los Ladrones?

After the success of "¿Dónde Estás Corazón?", Shakira started recording her third album, Pies Descalzos, in 1995. This was her first album meant for a wider audience. She worked with Luis Fernando Ochoa, who helped her with her next three albums. Pies Descalzos and Dónde Están los Ladrones? are considered her most important albums.

The Pies Descalzos album was released in October 1995. It reached number five on the U.S. Billboard Top Latin Albums chart. It had six hit songs, including "Estoy Aquí" and "¿Dónde Estás Corazón?". The album became very popular in eight countries and sold over 5 million copies worldwide. Its success led to a remix album called The Remixes. Shakira also recorded Portuguese versions of some songs because of her popularity in Brazil. By age 19, Shakira was the best-selling female pop rock artist in Latin America. The president of Colombia even named her a national cultural ambassador.

Shakira's fourth album, Dónde Están los Ladrones?, was released in September 1998. The name means "Where Are the Thieves?" and was inspired by her lyrics being stolen from a suitcase at an airport. This album became an even bigger hit worldwide than Pies Descalzos. It sold over 7 million copies globally. Eight singles were released from the album, including "Ciega, Sordomuda" and "Ojos Así". "Ojos Así" became a global hit, mixing Arabic music elements.

In 1999, Shakira was nominated for a Grammy Award. Her first live album, MTV Unplugged, was recorded in New York City in 1999 and released in 2000. It was the first Spanish-language "MTV Unplugged" show. Critics loved it. In March 2000, Shakira went on her Tour Anfibio across Latin America and the United States. She won an MTV Video Music Award for "Ojos Así" in August 2000. MTV Unplugged also won a Latin Grammy Award.

Shakira became a huge star in Latin music. She was ready to try singing in English and become a global artist.

Laundry Service and English transition

After her success, Shakira started working on an English album. Her manager, Emilio Estefan, saw her potential to become popular in the U.S. music market. Gloria Estefan helped Shakira improve her English.

Shakira worked for over a year on new songs. "Whenever, Wherever" (also called "Suerte" in Spanish) was released in August 2001. It was the first song from her new English album. It became a huge international hit, reaching number one in many countries.

Shakira's new album, Laundry Service, was released in November 2001. It had nine songs in English. The album was a big success, selling over 200,000 copies in its first week in the U.S. and becoming a triple platinum album. It helped Shakira become a major artist in North America. Other popular songs from the album included "Underneath Your Clothes" and "Objection (Tango)". Laundry Service became Shakira's best-selling album ever, selling more than 15 million copies worldwide. This made her the biggest Latin female crossover artist in the world.

Some critics thought her English lyrics were not as strong as her Spanish ones. However, others praised her unique style. Shakira herself produced the album. She also signed a big deal with Pepsi and released songs for them.

In 2002, Shakira performed at various events, including MTV Icon and VH1 Divas Las Vegas. She won several awards, including the International Viewer's Choice Award for "Whenever, Wherever". In November 2002, she started her Tour of the Mongoose, which had 61 shows around the world. In 2004, she released a live album, Live & off the Record, from this tour.

Shakira said that becoming a global artist meant facing new challenges. She felt more closely watched in the U.S. than in Latin America. She also changed her band members, hiring new musicians.

"Crossover" discussions

Shakira decided to create a new album from scratch for her English debut, instead of just translating her old songs. She worked on it for a year in Uruguay and the Bahamas. She wanted to mix different musical styles, saying it gave her freedom and that she didn't want to be limited to one style.

Her "crossover" to English music caused some debate among her fans. Some wanted her to stay true to her original style, while others wanted her to fit into mainstream music. Some fans thought her blonde hair and English songs meant she was "abandoning her roots" to appeal to English-speaking audiences.

Shakira said she dyed her hair blonde because she liked it, not for any other reason. She told fans who were upset that she was proud of her Colombian and Latin roots. She also said that her fans in Latin America loved her new album.

Like other female artists, Shakira faced pressure to look a certain way. Some people said she used stereotypes to become more visible. However, Shakira's light hair and Latina identity helped her become very popular in the English-speaking market.

Fijación Oral, vol. 1 and Oral Fixation, vol. 2

For her next albums, Shakira wrote sixty songs in both Spanish and English. She chose twenty for two separate albums. She wanted to introduce her English-speaking audience to her Spanish music.

The first song from her sixth album, the Spanish Fijación Oral, vol. 1, was "La Tortura" (co-written with Luis Fernando Ochoa). It was released in April 2005 and featured Alejandro Sanz. This song stayed at number one on the Billboard Hot Latin Tracks chart for a record 25 weeks. It also reached number 23 on the Hot 100. Shakira and Sanz were the first artists to perform a Spanish-language song at the MTV Video Music Awards in 2005.

Fijación Oral, vol. 1, released in June 2005, was very popular in North America, South America, and Europe. It debuted at number four on the Billboard 200 chart, selling many copies. It sold over two million copies in the U.S. and earned certifications in Latin America just a day after its release. It was a top album in Spain, Italy, Greece, and Germany. Other singles from the album included "No" and "Las de la Intuición". The album has sold over five million copies worldwide. In 2006, Shakira won her second Grammy Award for Best Latin Rock/Alternative Album. She also won four Latin Grammy Awards, including Album of the Year for Fijación Oral, vol. 1.

Shakira's second English album and seventh studio album, Oral Fixation, vol. 2, was released in November 2005. It debuted at number five on the Billboard 200. It sold 1.8 million records in the U.S. and over eight million worldwide.

The main song from Oral Fixation, vol. 2 was "Don't Bother". The second song, "Hips Don't Lie", featuring Wyclef Jean, was released in February 2006. It became Shakira's first number one song on the Billboard Hot 100. It was a worldwide hit, reaching number one in over 55 countries and becoming one of the biggest-selling songs of the 21st century. Shakira and Wyclef Jean also performed a version of "Hips Don't Lie" at the closing ceremony of the 2006 FIFA World Cup.

Shakira went on the Oral Fixation Tour, which had 120 shows between June 2006 and December 2007, visiting five continents. In 2006, Shakira received the Billboard Spirit of Hope Award for her Fundación Pies Descalzos.

In 2007, Shakira and Beyoncé worked together on the song "Beautiful Liar". This song quickly climbed the charts and was nominated for a Grammy Award. It was Shakira's first song with another female artist. Shakira also wrote songs for the movie Love in the Time of Cholera (2007), based on the novel by Colombian author Gabriel García Márquez. One of these songs, "Despedida", was nominated for a Golden Globe Award.

She Wolf and "Waka Waka"

In 2008, Forbes magazine named Shakira one of the top-earning female artists. In July, she signed a big contract with Live Nation Entertainment for tours, recordings, and merchandise.

In January 2009, Shakira performed at the "We Are One" event for President Barack Obama's inauguration. She sang "Higher Ground" with Stevie Wonder and Usher.

In July 2009, Shakira released "She Wolf" as the main song from her new album. It was a big success. Her eighth album, She Wolf, came out in October 2009. Critics generally liked it, calling it a varied pop album. It reached number one in several countries. She Wolf sold 2 million copies worldwide.

In 2010, Shakira worked with the South African band Freshlyground to create "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)", the official song for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. The song was based on a traditional Cameroonian folk song. "Waka Waka" became a global hit, selling over four million copies and becoming the best-selling World Cup song ever. Shakira performed it at the World Cup's opening and closing ceremonies.

For her work with the World Cup and other charity efforts, Shakira received the Free Your Mind MTV award in 2010. She thanked everyone who supported her in promoting education for children around the world.

After "Waka Waka"'s success, Shakira released Sale el Sol, her ninth album, in October 2010. It was mostly in Spanish and received good reviews. It won a Latin Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Album. The album was very successful in Europe and Latin America, reaching number one in many countries. In the U.S., it debuted at number seven on the Billboard 200. The main song, "Loca", was number one in many countries. Sale el Sol has sold ten million copies.

In 2011, Shakira appeared in an episode of Dora the Explorer. In September, she started The Sun Comes Out World Tour to support her recent albums. The tour had 107 shows across many continents. In December 2011, she released her fourth live album, Live from Paris.

On November 9, 2011, Shakira was honored as Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year for her music and charity work. She was the youngest musician to receive this award. In 2012, Shakira became a coach on the U.S. TV show The Voice for two seasons.

Shakira's self-titled tenth album, Shakira, was released in March 2014. It debuted at number two on the U.S. Billboard 200. The album included songs like "Can't Remember to Forget You" (a duet with Rihanna) and "Dare (La La La)". A version of "Dare (La La La)" was a theme song for the 2014 FIFA World Cup. On July 13, 2014, Shakira performed "La La La (Brazil 2014)" at the 2014 FIFA World Cup closing ceremony. This was her third time performing at a FIFA World Cup.

El Dorado and recent work

Shakira worked on her eleventh album, El Dorado, starting in late 2015. She also voiced the character Gazelle in the 2016 animated movie Zootopia and sang the song "Try Everything" for it. In May 2016, she worked with Colombian singer Carlos Vives on "La Bicicleta", which won several Latin Grammy Awards. In October 2016, Shakira released "Chantaje" with Colombian singer Maluma, a song from El Dorado. It became one of Shakira's most-viewed videos on YouTube.

The El Dorado album was released on May 26, 2017. Other songs included "Me Enamoré" and "Perro Fiel" with Nicky Jam. In January 2018, Shakira won her third Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album for El Dorado, making her the only female Latin artist to do so.

The El Dorado World Tour was announced in June 2017. It was supposed to start in November, but Shakira had vocal cord problems and had to postpone the tour until 2018. She said it was a very difficult time for her. The tour began in June 2018 and visited Europe, Asia, North America, and Latin America, with 54 concerts. Shakira performed mostly by herself, without many backup dancers. In November 2019, she released her fifth live album, Shakira in Concert: El Dorado World Tour.

In January 2020, Shakira released "Me Gusta" with Puerto Rican rapper Anuel AA. On February 2, 2020, Shakira and Jennifer Lopez performed at the Super Bowl LIV halftime show. Millions of people watched it, and it became one of the most viewed halftime shows ever on YouTube. Shakira included a traditional Colombian dance called champeta. In December 2020, Shakira teamed up with Black Eyed Peas on "Girl Like Me", a tribute to Latin women.

In January 2021, Shakira sold the rights to her 145 songs. This was a trend among musicians during the COVID-19 pandemic when live performances were limited. In July 2021, she released the song "Don't Wait Up".

Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran and current tour

On April 21, 2022, Shakira released "Te Felicito" with singer Rauw Alejandro. This was the first song from her upcoming twelfth album, Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran. In May, she received a special award from the British Ivors Academy for her songwriting. In May 2022, her dance competition show Dancing with Myself premiered on NBC. In June, she released "Don't You Worry" with Black Eyed Peas and David Guetta. In October, "Monotonía" with Ozuna was released. This song was about the sadness she felt after her relationship with Gerard Piqué ended.

On January 11, 2023, Shakira released "Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53" with Argentine DJ Bizarrap. This song became number one in 16 countries and broke 14 Guinness World Records. It was a very direct song about her past relationship. Shakira said making the song helped her heal.

On February 24, 2023, "TQG" by Karol G and Shakira was released. It became Shakira's sixth top-ten hit in the U.S. and broke another Guinness World Record. Shakira released "Acróstico" in May, a heartfelt song for her two children, Milan and Sasha, who also sang and played piano on a version of the song. In June, "Copa Vacía" with Colombian singer Manuel Turizo was released. In July 2023, Shakira made history by having three songs in the top three spots on the Latin Pop Airplay chart. In September, she released "El Jefe" with American band Fuerza Regida, a song about working-class struggles.

On September 12, 2023, Shakira received the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards. She was the first South American artist to get this award. She also won several Latin Grammy Awards for her songs "Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53" and "TQG".

Shakira's twelfth album, Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran (meaning "Women No Longer Cry"), was released on March 22, 2024. It was her first album in almost seven years and was inspired by her personal experiences. Critics praised the album for its honesty and mix of genres like Latin, rock, and hip-hop. Shakira said the creative process helped her turn "tears into diamonds" and "vulnerability into strength." The album debuted at number one on the Top Latin Albums chart, making her the first woman with number one albums across four decades on the Billboard Latin album charts.

"Puntería" with Cardi B was released with the album and became a number one hit on the Latin Airplay chart. "(Entre Paréntesis)" with Grupo Frontera was also released. On March 26, 2024, Shakira performed a free concert in New York's Times Square to celebrate her new album. About 40,000 people attended.

Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour

On April 12, 2024, Shakira announced her Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour at the Coachella Festival. This was her first tour in over six years. On July 14, Shakira performed at the 2024 Copa América final halftime show in Miami, a first for a soccer championship game. She sang "Hips Don't Lie", "Te Felicito", "TQG", and "Puntería".

The tour was planned to start in North America, but the U.S. and Canada dates were moved to follow the Latin American leg due to high demand for larger stadiums. The first concert of the tour happened on February 11, 2025, in Rio de Janeiro. The show featured advanced technology and was seen as a message of female empowerment.

Shakira had to cancel some shows in Peru and Chile due to health issues and stage safety concerns. She wrote an emotional letter to her fans about these cancellations. More shows were added later to make up for the missed ones. Shakira said the tour was becoming more "intimate and profound" and that she felt "stronger and happier" with each performance. For her last shows in Medellín, Colombia, she brought Maluma and Carlos Vives as special guests. Shakira plans to take her show to Europe, Asia, and the Middle East in 2025 and 2026.

On May 6, 2025, Shakira performed on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon with Wyclef Jean to celebrate the 20th anniversary of "Hips Don't Lie". The U.S. and Canada part of the tour started on May 13 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Shakira invited 50 successful local Latina women to walk with her to the stage. She expressed her happiness with the sold-out concerts.

On May 15, she sang "Monotonía" with Ozuna in New Jersey. Some shows in Boston and Washington, D.C., were canceled due to technical issues and stage safety. Shakira was very upset about this. The mayor of Washington, D.C., even invited Shakira to come to their city. A concert in San Antonio was also postponed. The Los Angeles show was moved, and a second show was added.

On May 23, 2025, Shakira and Alejandro Sanz released a new duet, "Bésame". On June 6, Shakira performed in Miami, her home, with many celebrity friends. She often shouts "Mi gente latina!" (My Latin people!) at her shows. She spoke about the challenges immigrants face in the U.S. and called for fairness.

In September 2024, Shakira released "Soltera", a lively song about enjoying life without a partner. In May 2025, "Soltera" won her the Favorite Latin Song award at the American Music Awards, making her the most-awarded female Latin artist in the show's history.

In February 2025, Shakira won the Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album for Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran. She dedicated the award to immigrants in the United States and to women who work hard for their families.

Artistry

Freddy DeMann, who managed Shakira's career, said she is a "brilliant songwriter" with an "unbelievable voice." He added that she "dances better than anyone out there" and writes, sings, plays instruments, and produces her own music. He called her "the whole package."

Music influences and styles

Shakira is known for her unique sound. Billboard reviewers said she is very thoughtful in her songwriting, with honest lyrics. Her music often has rock guitar and Latin rhythms.

In 2017, a journalist from Deutsche Welle noted that Shakira's music has a "globalized sound." It mixes Latin beats with Middle Eastern and other world music elements, making it familiar and enjoyable. Rolling Stone magazine said Shakira's music, with its folk, Middle Eastern, and Latin styles mixed with rock and pop, gave her more credibility than other pop stars.

Early rock era

From her teenage years, Shakira loved rock music. She listened to bands like Led Zeppelin, Metallica, Nirvana, The Beatles, and Aerosmith. She said she was "so in love with that rock sound." She also admired Madonna, Sheryl Crow, and Alanis Morissette. She knew from a young age that she was meant to be a big performer.

Lucas Villa wrote in 2020 that 25 years ago, Shakira, with her dark hair, made her mark with Pies Descalzos. He said she poured her heart into the album, showing her poetic lyrics. In Dónde Están los Ladrones? (1998), she mixed Latin rock with pop and Middle Eastern music, reflecting her Lebanese heritage. Even after many years, her "free-spirited Shakira essence remains the same."

Shakira showed her rock skills during her early tours, like the Tour Pies Descalzos (1995–1997) and Tour Anfibio (2000). Her albums from this "black-haired rock era," Pies Descalzos and Dónde Están los Ladrones?, were mainly rock with folk elements. Pies Descalzos (1995) helped her become known internationally with its strong sound and personal lyrics. Songs like "Estoy Aquí" and "Antología" were anthems.

In Dónde Están los Ladrones? (1998), Shakira showed her "bohemian rockera persona" with powerful songs and deep lyrics. Her songwriting shined in "Ciega, Sordomuda" and "Ojos Así". "Ojos Así" is famous for mixing different musical styles and Arabic dance.

Laundry Service and beyond

With Laundry Service (2001) and later albums, Shakira explored different pop music styles, including pop rock and Latin pop. She said her music is a "fusion" because of her mixed background: "I'm a fusion between black and white, between pop and rock, between cultures – between my Lebanese father and my mother's Spanish blood, the Colombian folklore and Arab dance I love and American music." She was the first Latin artist to get praise from mainstream U.S. rock critics.

Arabic and Middle Eastern music greatly influenced her hit "Ojos Así" and its English version, "Eyes Like Yours," on Laundry Service. She also used styles from different South American countries, like Tango in her rock version of "Objection (Tango)". Critics noted her unique lyrics and powerful voice. Shakira said she is always experimenting and doesn't want to limit herself to one category. She has also been inspired by Indian music, which influenced her dancing. She is proud of her Arab heritage and said many of her dance moves come from Arabic culture.

"Whenever, Wherever" was a grand song that made her a global superstar. Its videos showed her famous hip-shaking dance moves. Laundry Service also included dance-pop, ballads, and other songs.

Laundry Service showed Shakira's ability to change her musical style. Her later explorations into different music genres started with this album.

Fijación Oral, Oral Fixation, and She Wolf

The Spanish album Fijación Oral, vol. 1 (2005) featured "La Tortura" with Alejandro Sanz, which had reggaeton beats and dancehall elements. The album mostly had pop songs.

Her English album Oral Fixation, vol. 2 (2005) brought Shakira back to mainstream pop and rock. The most successful song was "Hips Don't Lie" with Wyclef Jean, which mixed salsa, reggaeton, and cumbia. "Don't Bother" continued her rock style, and "Illegal" featured Carlos Santana. Shakira produced the entire album herself.

She Wolf (2009) was mainly an electropop album, featuring the song "She Wolf" and its Spanish version "Loba". This album had an electronic, clubby sound, different from her previous music. Shakira said she wanted to experiment with sounds from different parts of the world, combining electronic music with world sounds, like Indian and Middle Eastern music. She wanted to make an album that people could have fun with. The "She Wolf" song became an anthem for the LGBTQ movements, which Shakira supports.

Sale el Sol and Shakira

Shakira's next album, Sale el Sol (2010), was mostly in Spanish and was a return to her earlier style. It included ballads, rock songs, and Latin dance songs, with styles like reggaeton, merengue, and cumbia. The English and Spanish versions of "Waka Waka" were on this album. Shakira collaborated with artists like El Cata and Pitbull.

The album opened with the rock song "Sale el Sol". Other songs included the ballad "Antes de las Seis" and the merengue pop "Addicted to You".

With the Shakira (2014) album, Shakira explored mainstream pop, rock, and even country. She described the album as having "a little bit of rock, a little bit of folk, a little reggae and naturally some dance—but as always, and above all, a lot of heart." Popular songs included the ballad "Empire", the reggae rock "Can't Remember to Forget You" with Rihanna, and "Dare (La La La)", which was a theme song for the 2014 FIFA World Cup.

El Dorado

El Dorado (2017), named after a legendary city of gold, showed Shakira's versatility. It included hits like the reggaeton "Chantaje" with Maluma and the vallenato "La Bicicleta" with Carlos Vives. Shakira used styles from urban music. "Me Enamoré" was about her love for Gerard Piqué. Other songs included the ballad "Nada" and "Perro Fiel" with Nicky Jam.

Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran

Shakira's album Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran (March 2024) was released after seven years. It was inspired by her breakup and emotions, turning her pain into music. The album features various genres, including Afrobeats, bachata, and Tex-Mex rhythms. "Cómo Dónde y Cuándo" was a return to her rock roots.

Shakira said she was in a stage of survival and reflection, celebrating the strength of women. She sang by herself in songs like "Tiempo Sin Verte" and "Última", and collaborated with artists like Cardi B, Karol G, and Bizarrap. "Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53" was a very direct song about her ex-partner and became a female empowerment anthem. The album includes two versions of "Vol. 53".

The opening song "Puntería" with Cardi B is an electropop track. "La Fuerte" is another electropop song with Bizarrap. "Tiempo Sin Verte" is a pop rock song with her strong "rockera" vocals. "Cohete" is a dance-pop song with Rauw Alejandro. "Última" was the last song she added to the album, about accepting the end of her relationship. "Te Felicito" was the first song released for the album, a reggaeton electropop track. The reggaeton hit "TQG" with Karol G had strong lyrics inspired by their personal experiences. "Acróstico" is a heartfelt ballad from Shakira to her children, Milan and Sasha, who sing and play piano on it. "Copa Vacía" with Manuel Turizo is another reggaeton track. "El Jefe" with Fuerza Regida is about the abuse of power.

In September 2024, Shakira released "Soltera", an Afrobeats-influenced song about enjoying life without a male partner. The video showed her having a carefree night out with friends.

Dance and stage appearance

Shakira is also known for her dancing. She says her unique style combines Latin dancing with Middle Eastern belly dance, which she learned from her Lebanese heritage. She even said she learned to belly dance by trying to flip a coin with her belly! Her hip shaking is so famous that other artists mention it in their songs.

In her earlier performances, Shakira used minimal production and little makeup. She focused on her vocals, dance moves, and stage presence. She often performed barefoot. She said she used to get "lost in a cloud of hairdressers," but later decided to take control of her image and do her own makeup.

Shakira has said she is a "control freak" and wants to be involved in "everything" in her career. She is a perfectionist and always wants to do better. She loves performing for large crowds but feels uncomfortable with small audiences. She feels most free and confident on stage.

Shakira started dyeing her black hair blonde in her twenties. She said it wasn't a planned move to appeal to American audiences, but she just liked how her curls looked blonde. Her stage appearance changed dramatically between her 1999 and 2001 shows, becoming "tougher and wilder."

Songwriting

Merck Mercuriadis, a music executive, praised Shakira's songwriting, saying she is one of the most successful songwriters of the last 25 years. He noted that she has written or co-written almost every song she has recorded. Isabelia Herrera, a music critic, called Shakira's songwriting "fascinating" and "unique." Shakira has written hundreds of songs, many of which became hits.

Singing

Shakira has a contralto voice and is known for her "unique and mesmerizing" singing, which includes her "trademark" yodeling. One writer described her as having "the range of an operatic diva". Her singing is often described as "full-throated and urgent." Her vocal style has been compared to Spanish yodeling, and her Arabic roots influence her voice and music.

Instruments

Drew Foppe, a guitar technician who has worked with Shakira, said she plays both acoustic and electric guitars well on stage. He noted that she is in complete control of everything that happens on stage, from the sound to the look. She knows exactly how she wants every instrument to sound. In her early rock performances, Shakira also played the harmonica a lot.

Legacy and impact

Shakira is a very important figure in Latin and world music. AllMusic described her as a "wildly inventive diva" who created a pop sound rooted in Colombia but reaching all over the world. She is known for her rock-influenced style and for having a lot of creative control over her music. She is also known as one of Latin music's most poetic lyricists. When she released her first English music in 2001, she became an instant pop sensation with her unique style and belly dance moves.

The Independent called Shakira an "international phenomenon." She won the Best Female award at the MTV Europe Awards in 2005, beating out other famous singers. With her Lebanese background and English songs, like "Hips Don't Lie" with Wyclef Jean, Shakira showed how universal a Latin artist could be. The New York Times called her "a titan of Latin Pop" and noted her ability to mix rock, pop, and reggaeton over almost three decades. Many people call her the "Queen of Latin Music."

Shakira's global success is different from other famous Latino singers because she grew up in South America and became a global star. Her success has inspired other Latin American artists to try to become popular in the U.S. music market. For example, MTV said Shakira "opened doors" for artists like Paulina Rubio. Spin magazine said she paved the way for Latin artists like Maluma and J Balvin.

Time magazine called Shakira a "pop legend" in 2017. Entertainment Tonight called her "one of the most influential artists of the 21st century." The Economist called her "the crossover queen," and Billboard called her "the queen of the World Cup." Billboard also noted that Shakira's music videos have "redefined the role of dancing in music videos."

Authors of the book Reggaeton said Shakira helped make the reggaeton genre popular in North America, Europe, and Asia. The Public Broadcasting Service said Shakira, along with Gloria Estefan and Ricky Martin, were the most successful artists of the "Golden Age of Latin Music" that changed America's culture. Shakira has also influenced popular culture in the Arab world, where her Lebanese background is a source of pride.

In 1999, Shakira's MTV Unplugged concert was the first "unplugged" episode broadcast entirely in Spanish. This was a big step for her in the U.S. music market. In 2001, the "Whenever, Wherever" music video was aired on MTV in both English and Spanish versions, a first for the channel. "La Tortura" was the first full Spanish-language music video to air on MTV without an English version.

"Hips Don't Lie" was named one of the greatest songs by 21st-century female artists by National Public Radio. They noted that even though it wasn't marketed as reggaeton, it's the most popular song in the genre's history. "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" was named the best World Cup song ever by Billboard.

In 2010, Google said Shakira was the most searched female entertainer of the year. In 2020, she was the most Googled musician/band. Many artists, including Rihanna, Taylor Swift, Selena Gomez, Katy Perry, Justin Bieber, and Beyoncé, have said Shakira influenced them or expressed admiration for her.

Gabriel García Márquez, a Nobel Prize-winning novelist from Colombia, greatly admired Shakira. He wrote in 1999 that "no one of any age can sing or dance with the innocent sensuality Shakira seems to have invented." He praised her "phenomenal musical talent" and "extraordinary maturity." They became friends.

Shakira's influence goes beyond pop culture. Fortune magazine named her one of the "World's Greatest Leaders" in 2017. They said she is a "force of nature in the philanthropic world" and uses her huge social media following to help children.

The Guardian wrote in 2009 about Shakira's impact on social change in Colombia, especially in childhood education. They said she is celebrated "as something of a saint" in Latin America. The newspaper found her authentic and effective in discussing issues with world leaders.

The Independent noted in 2010 that Shakira is "living proof that pop and politics can mix." She is able to get the attention of global political leaders because of her fame. Shakira speaks Spanish, Portuguese, English, Italian, French, and Catalan.

Despegar, a company that partnered with Shakira, said in June 2024 that she has "challenged the boundaries of art and music, establishing herself as one of the most influential and beloved artists of all time."

Monuments

• In 2006, a 6-tonne, 16-foot-tall statue of Shakira was placed in her hometown of Barranquilla, Colombia.
• In July 2018, Shakira visited Tannourine in Lebanon, her family's ancestral village. Two trees were dedicated to her, and a square was named after her.
• In December 2023, Barranquilla honored Shakira with a 21-foot bronze statue in a park. The sculpture shows her belly dancing.

Achievements

Shakira has received many awards and honors. She has won four Grammy Awards and fifteen Latin Grammy Awards, which is the second most for a female artist. With over 95 million records sold worldwide, Shakira is one of the best-selling musicians in the world. By 2001, she had already sold 10 million albums in Latin America.

Three of her albums are among the best-selling Latin albums in the United States: Fijación Oral, Vol. 1, Dónde Están los Ladrones?, and Pies Descalzos. She is the female artist with the most best-selling Latin albums in the U.S.

"Hips Don't Lie" was the most-played pop song in a single week in American radio history. Shakira was the first artist to reach number one on both the Mainstream Top 40 and Hot Latin Songs charts at the same time. She is the only artist from South America to have number-one songs on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, Australian charts, and UK charts. She has the most top-ten hits on Billboard's Hot Latin Songs chart (37). Her song "La Tortura" held the record for most weeks at number one on that chart (25 weeks).

In 2011, the Harvard Foundation named Shakira Artist of the Year for her music and humanitarian work. They praised her contributions to music and her efforts to help people around the world. In November 2011, Shakira received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She was also named Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year at the Latin Grammys. In 2012, she received an honor from the French minister of culture for her contributions to arts and literature.

In 2014, Shakira became the first musical act to perform three times at the FIFA World Cup. In 2015, Time recognized Shakira as one of the most influential people on social media because of her large following and how she uses it to promote her work and charity.

In 2018, Spotify listed Shakira as one of the most-streamed female artists of the decade. In 2020, she became the first female artist to have four songs from different decades with over 100 million streams on Spotify. She also broke the Vevo Certified Awards record for most videos with over 100 million views. In 2022, her financial worth was estimated at $300 million.

In May 2023, Billboard honored Shakira as the "Latin Woman of the Year" for her achievements and influence. They noted her record-breaking success and her continued relevance.

Charity and advocacy

In 1997, Shakira started the Fundación Pies Descalzos (the Barefoot Foundation), a charity in Colombia. This foundation builds and supports schools for children in need in Colombia. It also provides teaching and meals. Shakira helps oversee the foundation and visits the schools. In 2006, she was honored at a United Nations ceremony for her work with the foundation. She reminded everyone that many children die in Latin America every day.

In 2006, Shakira became a founding member of the Latin America in Solidarity Action (ALAS) Foundation. This group of artists and business leaders works to improve early childhood education in Latin America and the Caribbean. Shakira spoke about the need for public and private groups to work together to protect children. In 2007, she helped secure $40 million from the Spanish government for natural disaster victims. In 2008, she was an honorary chair for the Global Campaign for Education.

People en Español named Shakira Humanitarian of the Year in 2008. In 2010, she worked with the World Bank and the Barefoot Foundation to create programs for children in Latin America.

Shakira is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, representing the UN children's agency. In March 2010, she received a medal from the UN International Labour Organization for being a "true ambassador for children and young people, for quality education and social justice." She urged people to work together to make education and good jobs a reality for everyone. In November 2010, she received the MTV Free Your Mind award for her efforts to help children get an education.

In 2011, the FC Barcelona Foundation and Pies Descalzos agreed to work together on children's education through sports. In October 2011, President Barack Obama appointed her to the President's Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics. In April 2014, Shakira received the Hero Award at the Radio Disney Music Awards for her charity work.

In November 2018, Shakira visited her hometown of Barranquilla to discuss building a new school. She spoke out against the government's plan to reduce the education budget, saying it was "unacceptable" and that more investment was needed. She also talked about social inequality and how it affects children's schooling.

In April 2020, the World Literacy Foundation gave Shakira the 2020 Global Literacy Award for her work in improving literacy for disadvantaged children. In May 2020, she donated over 50,000 face masks and ten respirators to help fight the COVID-19 pandemic in Barranquilla. In October 2020, Prince William appointed her to the Earthshot Prize Council, which awards prizes for environmental efforts. During the 2021 Colombian protests, Shakira spoke out against violence and called for human rights to be protected.

Shakira wrote an article for Time magazine in October 2020 about 545 children separated from their parents at the U.S.–Mexico border. She criticized U.S. immigration policies and said those responsible should be held accountable. She noted that it's not always easy for her, as a non-American citizen, to comment on domestic policies.

On February 2, 2025, Shakira's 48th birthday, she won a Grammy Award for Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran. She dedicated the award to immigrants in the United States, saying, "You’re loved, worth it and I will always fight with you." She also dedicated it to women who work hard for their families, calling them "the real she wolves."

At the start of her U.S. tour in May 2025, Shakira wanted to celebrate the Latino community. She said, "This moment together is a celebration of who we are, how far we've come." She sees fighting prejudice as her mission throughout her career.

Other activities

Shakira has also been involved in other projects. She acted in the Colombian TV show El Oasis in 1994.

In 2010, Shakira launched her first perfume line, S by Shakira. By 2019, she had released 30 fragrances. In 2015, Shakira was featured as a playable character in the game Angry Birds POP! and had her own video game called Love Rocks Starring Shakira.

In 2015, it was announced that Shakira would voice the character Gazelle, a pop star, in the Disney animated movie Zootopia. She also recorded the song "Try Everything" for the film. Zootopia was a huge success, earning over $1 billion worldwide. In November 2024, Shakira announced she would return as Gazelle for Zootopia 2, set for release in 2025, and would create new music for it.

In September 2021, Shakira released an NFT collection called La Caldera. The money from this collection went to her Pies Descalzos Foundation to help children in Colombia.

In December 2021, Shakira became an executive producer for Dancing with Myself, an NBC dance competition show that aired in 2022.

In February 2025, Shakira partnered with Hard Rock International to empower women through music. The Hard Rock Heals Foundation donated $250,000 to Shakira's Pies Descalzos Foundation.

In June 2025, Shakira launched her new hair-care line, Isima, designed for Latina hair. In July 2025, Epson announced a partnership with Shakira, making her their official ambassador for the Middle East, Turkey, Africa, and Central and West Asia regions. The goal is to make technology accessible and sustainable, and Shakira's dedication to education and creativity aligns with Epson's mission.

Personal life

Shakira was in a relationship with Argentine lawyer Antonio de la Rúa starting in 1999. They were together for almost 11 years and were engaged, but never married. Antonio also managed Shakira's business and career for a number of years. In January 2011, they announced they were taking time apart from their romantic relationship but would continue to work together. Later, Antonio de la Rúa filed lawsuits against Shakira, claiming he was owed money, but these lawsuits were dismissed.

Shakira met Spanish football player Gerard Piqué in June 2010 while filming the music video for her song "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)". They started a relationship and lived in Barcelona. Their first son, Milan, was born on January 22, 2013. Their second son, Sasha, was born on January 29, 2015. In June 2022, Shakira and Piqué announced they were separating.

Shakira has said her life is "relentless and unlikely." She is very focused and hardworking. She tries to connect with her fans and values their loyalty. She has also spoken about the pressures of being a public figure and how she deals with her image.

Shakira has said that in her early years, she worked hard to bring joy to her parents and make her country proud. Later, she realized she also mattered and her motivations could be for herself. She said, "And now it's all for me, I guess that's why I'm still working, because this time I get to do it for me!"

Between 2007 and 2009, Shakira studied the history of Western Civilization at UCLA. In 2020, she completed an ancient philosophy course from the University of Pennsylvania, calling it a hobby.

Discography

• Magia (1991)
• Peligro (1993)
• Pies Descalzos (1995)
• Dónde Están los Ladrones? (1998)
• Laundry Service (2001)
• Fijación Oral, Vol. 1 (2005)
• Oral Fixation, Vol. 2 (2005)
• She Wolf (2009)
• Sale el Sol (2010)
• Shakira (2014)
• El Dorado (2017)
• Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran (2024)

Tours

• Pies Descalzos International Tour (1995–1997)
• Tour Anfibio (2000)
• Tour of the Mongoose (2002–2003)
• Oral Fixation Tour (2006–2007)
• The Sun Comes Out World Tour (2010–2011)
• El Dorado World Tour (2018)
• Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour (2025)

Filmography

Television

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1994	El oasis	Luisa Maria Rico
2002	Popstars Brazil	Mentor assistant	Season 1
2002	Taina	Herself	Episode: "Abuelo Knows Best"
2005	7 vidas	Herself	Episode: "Todo por las pastis"
2009	Ugly Betty	Herself	Episode: "The Bahamas Triangle"
2010	Wizards of Waverly Place	Herself	Episode: "Dude Looks Like Shakira"
2011	Dora and Friends: Into the City	Herself	Episode: "Dora's Explorer Girls: Our First Concert"
2013–2014	The Voice	Coach/Mentor	Seasons 4 and 6
2014	Dreamland	Herself	Episode: "3"
2020	Global Goal: Unite for Our Future	Herself	Television special
2020	The Disney Family Singalong: Volume II	Herself	Television special
2022	Dancing With Myself	Herself	TV Show
2022	Zootopia+	Gazelle (voice)	Episode: "So You Think You Can Prance ?"; archival recordings

Film

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2002	Shakira: The Documentary Film	Herself	Documentary
2007	Pies Descalzos Foundation	Herself	Documentary
2011	Hagamos que Salga El Sol	Herself	Documentary
2011	A Day with Shakira	Herself	Documentary
2016	Zootopia	Gazelle	Voice role
2020	Miss Americana	Herself	Documentary
2022	Jennifer Lopez: Halftime	Herself	Documentary
2025	Zootopia 2	Gazelle	Voice role

Interesting Facts About Shakira

• Shakira has Spanish and Lebanese family roots.
• She grew up Catholic and went to Catholic schools.
• At school, she was often sent out of class because she was very energetic.
• As a child, Shakira loved rock music. She listened to bands like Led Zeppelin, the Beatles, and U2.
• She often performs barefoot. She learned this dance style as a teenager to help her overcome shyness.
• Shakira has a unique and powerful singing voice, known for its "trademark" yodeling.
• Billboard reported that she is the best-selling female Latin artist of all time.
• In 2014, Shakira became the first music artist to perform three times at the FIFA World Cup.
• In 2020, she completed an ancient philosophy course from the University of Pennsylvania just for fun!
• She has won four Grammy Awards and fifteen Latin Grammy Awards.
• Shakira has sold over 125 million records worldwide.

Shakira's Inspiring Quotes

• "You can't achieve anything in life without a small amount of sacrifice."
• "I know what it's like to feel that fear and the need of affirmation and appreciation. To build confidence in yourself is the toughest thing."
• "I am a person who has many dreams. But as soon as I accomplish one, I move on to the next."

See also

In Spanish: Shakira para niños

• List of artists who reached number one in the United States
• List of artists who reached number one on the U.S. Dance Club Songs chart
• List of best-selling Latin music artists
• List of best-selling music artists
• Women in Latin music
• List of Colombians