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Shakira is an popular Colombian pop singer, stunning belly dancer, song-writer as well as a model. She is originally named as Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, who was born on February 2, 1977, in Barranquilla, Colombia. Basically, she is well known for her two hits named 'Hips Don't Lie' and 'Whenever, Wherever'. She was born with the belly dancing ability, pop sensation and poetic writing sense. Initially, she wrote a first song when was just 8. She managed to release her first album 'Magia' and 'Peligro' at the age of 14 in the early 1990's. However, these two albums presented by Shakira failed to achieve commercial success.
Her third album named 'Pies Descalzos' was released in 1996. This album was proved as a huge breakthrough for her. She recieved massive success in Latin America with the sale of 3 million copies of her third album. Shakira became an overnight superstar in the Spanish singing industry. Now, she is the highest successful Colombian pop singer who has sold her more than 70 million music albums worldwide.
Childhood And Early Life:
Shakira (fully named as Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll) was born on 2nd February 1977. She was born as well as grew up in Barranquilla, Colombia. She is the daughter of William Mebarak Chadid and Nidia Ripoll. His fther is from Lebanon whereas her mother is from Colombia.
Because of their backgrounds, Shakira inherits s both cultures in her music vocals. When she was only four years old, she wrote her first poem named as 'The Crystal Rose'. Once at the age of four, On her arrival to a restaurant along with her father, she began dancing on a table when the arabic music was being played. Shakira used to sing and perform dance in order to entertain her class fellows as well as teachers. She became famous and got a title 'The belly dancer girl'.
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Shakira's Best Belly Dancing Video:
(video source: youtube.com)
As she was growing up, she was being realized about her level of inclination towards music. Shakira was also quite famous in her living area and people used to invite her to perform on their arranged various events. Monica Ariza, a producer of local theatre, impressed by her performances decided to help her regarding her career. The lady Monica Ariza managed to convince the executive of Sony Colombia named 'Ciro Vargas' to hold an audition for Shakira. She expressed her talent by performing three songs at the audition and also impresses the executive. He signed her for the recording of three albums.
Career:
In 1990, Shakira started her career with the first debut album titled as 'Magia' which was released in 1991. This album included the collection of songs written by her when she was just 8 years old. Although, her first album failed to give positive results commercially. Shakira recorded her second studio album named as 'Peligro' , released in March, 1993. This album of her performed well than expectations. However, still failed to do well commercially as well as internationally. After the two flopped albums, Shakira decided to take a break from recording albums and completing her graduation.
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Shakira's 'Magia' Official Video:
(video source: youtube.com)
Shakira's "Pies Descalzos" Official Video:
(video source: youtube.com)
Major Breakthrough's:
Shakira's third studio album 'Pies Descalzos' was peaked at number one in eight different countries. The album presented six hit singles recorder by her. Shakira went on different international places for the promotion of 'Pies Descalzos' album. She also recieved three Billboard Latin Music Awards for this album.
Her fourth album 'Donde Estan los Ladrones' was out in markets in 1998. It became the bigger hit album than her third album worldwidly. This album managed to reach at the top of Billboard Latin Music Chart and remained on top in U.S. Latin Albums for the straight eleven weeks. It became the most selling Spanish album with the sales of over 7 million copies worldwide. She recieved her first Grammy award for th Best Latin Pop Album in 2001.
Shakira's Grammay Award Wining Video:
(video source: youtube.com)
International Prominence:
On achieving the huge success and popularity as a best music superstar throughout the world, Shakira made a goal to become an international stardom. She moved to Miami, Florida, along with her family in order to increase her fan following in America. She managed to work on improving her English language skills to present English music album. After the heavy efforts of almost 3 to 4 years, she released her first English language album named 'Laundry Service' in 2001.
The fifth studio album as well as first English album names 'Laundry Service' brought her the huge popularity in the US for what she had been looking for. The album featured seven singles including 'Whenever, Wherever' and 'Underneath Your Clothes'. These two songs were the biggest hits of the album. 'Laundry Service' became the most selling album with the sale of over 20 million copies in the market.
Spanish Album 'Fijación Oral, Vol.':
In June 2005, Shakira's sixth studio Spanish language album 'Fijación Oral, Vol.' was released. The album performed good as a whole as compared to the expectations. One million copies of the Spanish album were sold during the first three days. This album was followed by the English language album titled as 'Oral Fixation, Vol. 2' which was released in November. Shakira won her second Grammy Best Latin Pop Album award for her Spanish language album 'Fijación Oral, Vol'.
Shakira, now was achieving superstardom throughout the world including America. She gained the reputation of superstar of the Latin Music. The release of her seventh studio album 'Oral Fixation, Vol. 2' in November 29, 2005, made a viral record of selling over eight million copies throughout the world.
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Shakira's Fijación Oral, Vol.' Song:
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The newly recorded song 'Hips Don't Lie' was proved as a bonus track for her seventh album. The song reached at No. 1 place in U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and became the highest selling song of the 21st century.
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Shakira's 'Hips Don't Lie Official Song:
(video source: youtube.com)
She Wolf Album:
An American business magazine, Forbes, named Shakira the fourth highest earning female musician in the history. In July 2008, Shakira signed a ten year contract with the Live Nation. She released her eighth studio album titled as 'She Wolf' which was released on July 13, 2009. In the same year, the lead song 'She Wolf' was released with the same name of album. The song became successful single around the world including Latin America, Germany, Spain, Italy, Austria And France. The album was quite appreciated from the millions of listeners. It reached the spot of No. 15 on the Billboard Charts and also placed on fifteenth number on the Billboard 200.
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Shakira's 'She Wolf' Official Video:
(video source: youtube.com)
Waka Waka - A Smash Hit:
Global superstar Shakira, joined with the South African group 'Freshlyground' created the theme song 'Waka Waka' for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The song became the international smash hit in 2010. It also managed to become the most selling official FIFA World Cup song in the whole history.
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Shakira's 'Waka Waka' Official Video:
(video source: youtube.com)
Sale El Sol Album:
Afte the hit song 'Waka Waka', Shakira released her ninth studio album named 'Sale El Sol' in October, 2010. The album was recorded in Spanish Language and brought her the more success and popularity. It featured the title song 'Loca' which became the biggest hit around the globe and remained on No. 1 in many countries. Shakira went on worldwide tour in order to promote her new album. The album was become the most selling album of the year of its release.
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Shakira's 'Sale El Sol' Official Video:
(video source: youtube.com)
The Voice Show:
In 2012, An American musical talent show 'The Voice' announced to replace 'Christina Aguilera' with the superstar 'Shakira' for the fourth season. The show was aired on March 25, 2013,presenting the Shakira and Usher as the judges(couches). Shakira became the more popular personality in the television world as well.
After the end of show, Christina Aguilera and Cee Lo Green was returned as a judges on the show for fifth season. Shakira and Usher made their appearance again on 'The Voice' show in the sixth season.
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The Best Of Shakira At 'The Voice Show':
(video source: youtube.com)
Recent Work:
On Januray 13, 2014, Shakira released her new song titled as 'Can't Remember to Forget You'.
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Shakira's 'Can't Remember To Forget You' Song:
(video-source: youtube.com)
Shakira performed the song 'La La La(Brazil 2014)' at the closing ceremony of FIFA World Cup 2014 with the musician 'Carlinhos Brown'. This song became the biggest hit of the time.
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Shakira's 'La La La (Brazil 2014) Offical Song:
Zootopia:
Recently on August 14, 2015, Disney announced the character of Shakira as Gazelle in the upcoming animated movie named 'Zootopia'.
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Shakira's 'Zootopia' Official Video:
(video source: youtube.com)
Charity Work:
Shakira founded the 'Pies Descalzos Foundation' in 1997. It is a Colombian Charity foundation who provides basic education to all poor children. This foundation also provides the nutrients and food to the needy people in Colombia. Now efforts are being made to extend the services of this foundation to other countries including South Africa.
Shakira founded the ALAS foundation in the year 2006. It is located in the area of Panama, and provide services and focused on pregnancy and childhood period. Shakira is also one of the global representative and serving as UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. She also opened a school in her hometown for providing education to poor children.
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Shakira Along With Children:
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Awards And Achievements:
Shakira has recieved numerous awards regarding her achievments. She has recieved Grammy award for Best Latin Pop Album in 2001. She has also won another Grammy award for Best Latin Pop/Alternative Album in 2006. Totally, she has won eight Latin Grammy Awards including the Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year.
Pop Vocal Album in 2010 for her album 'Sale El Sol' and ‘Fijación Oral Vol. 1’. She has also recieved five ALMA awards from seven nominations. She is also awarded with four American Music Awards. Shakira has also been received eighteen BMI awards from eighteen nominations.
As a whole, there is a long list of awards awarded to her for various achievements.
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Shakira Winning Award At MTV Europe Awards:
(video source: youtube.com)
You can dowload Shakira's songs as well by clicking here.
