Shakira
Biography
Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, known globally as Shakira, is a Colombian singer, songwriter, dancer, and record producer. Born on February 2, 1977, in Barranquilla, Colombia, to a Lebanese father and a Colombian mother, her multicultural background has significantly influenced her musical style, which is a fusion of Latin, rock, and Middle Eastern sounds. She wrote her first song at the age of eight and signed her first record deal with Sony Music Colombia at 13.
Early Career and Breakthrough
Shakira's first two albums, Magia (1991) and Peligro (1993), had limited success. She took a hiatus from music to act in the Colombian telenovela El Oasis. Her breakthrough came with her third album, Pies Descalzos (1995), which sold over three million copies and featured her trademark blend of Latin, rock, and Arabic musical styles. The album produced several hit singles, including "Estoy Aquí." Her fourth studio album, Dónde Están los Ladrones? (1998), further solidified her success in Spanish-speaking markets, reaching the top of the Billboard Latin charts. This album was inspired by an incident where a suitcase with her lyrics was stolen. Her MTV Unplugged album, released in 2000, earned her a Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album.
International Stardom
To reach a wider audience, Shakira moved to Miami and taught herself to write songs in English. Her first English-language album, Laundry Service (2001), was a global success, selling over 13 million copies worldwide and featuring the hit single "Whenever, Wherever." This album established her as a leading crossover artist. She continued her global success with the dual release of Fijación Oral, Vol. 1 (in Spanish) and Oral Fixation, Vol. 2 (in English) in 2005. The single "Hips Don't Lie" from the English album became a worldwide number-one hit.
Musical Evolution and Notable Achievements
Throughout her career, Shakira has been known for her musical versatility, incorporating various genres into her music, including electropop in her 2009 album She Wolf. She achieved another massive international hit with "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)," the official song of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Her 2017 album, El Dorado, won a Grammy for Best Latin Pop Album. In 2024, she released Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran, her first album in seven years. Shakira is one of the world's best-selling music artists, having sold over 95 million records worldwide. She has received numerous awards, including four Grammy Awards and fifteen Latin Grammy Awards.
Philanthropy and Other Ventures
In 1997, Shakira founded the Pies Descalzos Foundation (Barefoot Foundation), a charity that aims to help poor and impoverished children in Colombia through education. The foundation has built several schools in her home country. She is also a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. Beyond her music and philanthropy, Shakira has served as a coach on the American singing competition show The Voice and voiced a character in the animated film Zootopia (2016). In 2025, she launched a haircare line called Ísima.