Shakira Mebarak

Courtesy Shakira.com

Shakira was born on February 2, 1977 in Barranquilla, Colombia. At an early age she developed the first steps in her creative life after being discovered by an executive at Sony Colombia, the label gave her a recording contract for three albums. The first, "Magia" was recorded in 1991 when she was 14 years old. She then returned to the studio to prepare her second album "Peligro" which premiered in 1993.

Although, this album began to win over some fans. Shakira was feeling distant from the songs and thought the musical project was more of the producers’ reflections than her own. In 1995, Shakira released her third album “Pies Descalzos” which launched her to fame and stardom in Latin America.

Shakira then began another stage in her career with renowned producer Emilio Estefan, also known as the husband of Gloria Estefan, Emilio was the executive producer of her fourth album titled "Donde Están los Ladrones" which premiered in 1998. With this album Shakira won new fans in countries like France, Switzerland, Canada and especially in the United States.

To consolidate the growing popularity in the Anglo-Saxon culture, Shakira decided to learn English and made the first Spanish edition of "MTV Unplugged" for MTV. The recorded sound production in this program earned Shakira, her first Grammy Award. Subsequently, in August 2000, she was named Favorite International Artist at the MTV Video Music Awards. In 2001 with the release of her first English language album “Laundry Service”, Shakira jumped from Latin American superstar to global superstar, admired by the public around the world.

In 2004, Shakira released her famous “Tour of the Monggose”. She later released a double album project: “Fijación Oral Vol 1” and “Oral Fixation Vol 2”. Exclusively in English which hit the market in June and November 2005. This lead to a successful outcome in 2006 with the “Oral Fixation Tour” that included 140 citied in North America, Europe, Africa, Southeast Asia and Latin America.

That same year, Shakira was honored with the Spirit of Hope Award, celebrating 12 years of her Pies Descalzos Foundation, dedicated to helping young victims of violence and poverty in Colombia, by providing educational, nutritional, psychological and health programs.

In 2006, Shakira took part in the creation of ALAS (América Latina en Acción Solidaria) A Latin American Foundation which promotes Early Childhood Development. Shakira is also a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF.