Shakira is a Colombian singer, songwriter, and actress born in 1977 in Barranquilla. A global icon of Latin pop, she blends Arabic, rock, and Afro-Caribbean influences. She was the first Latin American artist to surpass one billion views on YouTube.
Shakira(1977 — ?)
Shakira
Espagne, Colombie
7 min read
Frequently asked questions
Famous Quotes
« Hips don't lie.»
« I wanted to be a singer since I was four years old.»
Key Facts
- Born on February 2, 1977, in Barranquilla, Colombia, to a Lebanese father and a Colombian mother
- Signed her first record deal at age 13 with Sony Music Colombia (1991)
- International breakthrough with the album 'Laundry Service' (2001), which sold over 13 million copies
- Founded the Pies Descalzos Foundation in 1997 to support education for underprivileged children in Colombia
- First Latin artist to reach number one on the US charts with 'Whenever, Wherever' (2001)
Works & Achievements
Shakira's third album and her first major commercial success in Latin America, selling over 5 million copies. It marked the emergence of her artistic identity, blending rock with Latin sounds.
A critically acclaimed album that established Shakira as a socially conscious songwriter. It explores political and social themes tied to Colombia in the 1990s.
Her first entirely English-language album, selling over 13 million copies. It marked Shakira's breakthrough into the global market and features the hit 'Whenever, Wherever'.
Contains 'Hips Don't Lie', one of the best-selling songs in music history, symbolizing the fusion of global pop and Afro-Caribbean sounds.
The official anthem of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, it was YouTube's most-watched video in history for several years, accumulating over 3 billion views.
A humanitarian organization founded by Shakira that funded the construction of several schools in Colombia, giving thousands of underprivileged children access to education.
A collaboration with Argentine DJ Bizarrap that reached number one in over 30 countries within 24 hours, setting a historic streaming record for a Spanish-language song.
Anecdotes
Shakira began composing songs at age 8, following the death of her half-brother in a motorcycle accident. Music became her way of coping with grief and expressing her deepest emotions.
Her name Shakira comes from the Arabic شاكرة (shākira), meaning 'the grateful one'. Her father is of Lebanese descent, which explains the strong Middle Eastern influences in her music and dance.
At an audition for a record label at age 13, a producer dismissed her by saying she 'sounded like a mooing cow'. Despite this humiliating rejection, she persisted and signed her first contract at 13 with Sony Colombia.
Shakira was the first artist to simultaneously have two songs in the Billboard Hot 100 top 10 in both Spanish and English, with 'Hips Don't Lie' in 2006. The track stayed at number 1 in more than 55 countries.
Primary Sources
I started writing songs when I was eight years old. It was after my half-brother died. Music was my salvation, my way of dealing with pain.
Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world. I believe every child deserves the chance to learn, to grow, and to dream.
When I was 18 I decided to create this foundation because I had seen poverty up close in Colombia and knew I had to do something concrete to change that reality.
I am Colombian, I am Latin American, I have Arab roots and that is reflected in my music. I never wanted to choose between my identities — I carry them all with me.
Key Places
Shakira's hometown, a multicultural Caribbean port where African, European, and Arab influences coexist. This cultural diversity has deeply shaped her musical universe.
The Colombian capital where Shakira signed her first record deal and recorded her early albums. The city remains the nerve center of the Latin American music scene.
A major hub for international Latin pop, Miami is the city where Shakira built her English-language and international career, with recording studios and her production company.
Shakira lived in Barcelona from 2011 to 2022 with her two sons, recording several albums there. The city shaped her European roots and boosted her global media presence.
The venue of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, where Shakira performed 'Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)', which became one of the most-listened-to sports anthems in history.
Typical Objects
Shakira taught herself to play guitar as a child, and the instrument is central to her songwriting. She writes most of her songs while accompanying herself on guitar.
Drawing on her Lebanese heritage, Shakira incorporates belly dancing into her stage performances. The veil is an iconic accessory in her choreography.
Shakira is known for her spectacular concerts, where she sings live while performing acrobatic dance routines, making full use of modern sound technology.
From childhood, Shakira has jotted down lyric and melody ideas in notebooks. She has said she writes in several languages, including Spanish, English, and Arabic.
Shakira's costumes blend Arabic, Caribbean, and rock influences, featuring colorful fabrics, golden embellishments, and flowing materials that complement her dancing.
A pioneer of artists' digital presence, Shakira was among the first major stars to use Facebook and Twitter to communicate directly with fans around the world.
School Curriculum
Vocabulary & Tags
Key Vocabulary
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Daily Life
Morning
Shakira starts her day very early with an intense workout session combining dance, yoga, and cardio training. She has said that movement is a vital need for her, both physically and artistically.
Afternoon
Afternoons are devoted to composing music and rehearsing choreography. Shakira often writes in several languages simultaneously and collaborates with musicians from around the world through studio sessions.
Evening
Evenings are split between professional commitments — interviews, music video shoots, tour rehearsals — and family time with her children. She has always emphasized the importance of balancing her public life with her private life.
Food
Shakira follows a Mediterranean diet enriched with traditional Colombian dishes. She avoids fast food and places great importance on healthy eating to maintain her energy levels on stage.
Clothing
On stage, she wears costumes designed by leading international fashion designers, often inspired by Middle Eastern or Caribbean dance attire. In everyday life, she favors a casual, colorful style that reflects her Latin roots.
Housing
Shakira has lived in several major world cities — Bogotá, Miami, Barcelona, Paris. Her homes are always located in vibrant, cosmopolitan neighborhoods, reflecting her international lifestyle.
Historical Timeline
Period Vocabulary
Visual Style
Un style visuel flamboyant mêlant l'esthétique pop internationale aux ornements orientaux et aux couleurs chaudes des Caraïbes colombiennes. La direction artistique de Shakira joue sur le mouvement, la lumière et la fusion culturelle.
Sound Ambience
Un univers sonore où se croisent les percussions afro-caribéennes, les cordes orientales, la pop internationale et l'énergie des grandes scènes mondiales. L'ambiance reflète le métissage culturel et la dimension planétaire de l'œuvre de Shakira.
