Shakira: Latin Pop Sensation

November 22, 2007 at 4:24 am | In American Culture, Business & Marketing, Communication, Contemporary Spanish, Hispanic, Latin Culture, Latin Roots, Latin Stars, Modern Spanish, Orgullo Hispano, Orgullo Latino, Pop Culture, Sabor Latino, Shakira, Spanglish, Television & Film | 15 Comments
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Her real name is Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll. She was born in February 2, 1977, in Barranquilla, Colombia, into a poor family. Her mother was a native Colombia and her father was of Lebanese descent. As a child, Shakira soaked up music from both cultures and listened heavily to English language rock & roll. Within her favorite rock & roll bands are Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, The Police, The Cure and Nirvana. Known as Shakira, her first name; she is a singer, songwriter, instrumentalist, record producer, dancer, philanthropist and she is also an occasional actress. As an actress she played the role on a Colombian telenovela: “El Oasis”.Shakira, her main name, is a Spanish name that came from the Arabic word for “graceful”.According to her biography, she wrote her first song at age eight and speaks English, Spanish, Arabic, Portuguese and Italian. She is a perfectionist and spends hours in the studio. Her career started in Latin America where she has been a major figure; approximately in the mid-1990s. With her album Laundry Service she conquered the English–speaking world. She is the only artist from South America to reach the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100, the Australian ARIA chart. The United World Chart and the UK Singles Chart.

Gabriel Garcia Marquez wrote once: “Shakira’s music has a personal stamp that doesn’t look like anyone else’s and no one can sing or dance like her, at whatever age, with such an innocent sensuality, one that seems to be of her own invention”  

An interesting note about her album LAUNDRY SERVICE is the way she was able to translate her Latin American sensibility into a new language. Shakira’s partnership with Emilio and Gloria Estefan gave her the idea to do songs in English. The first song that was translated in English by Gloria Estefan  was “Ojos Así”,  a great hit written originally by Shakira!  That song appears in Shakira’s album ¿Dónde están los ladrones? or Where are the thieves?She has dyed her long brown hair blonde and has romanced Antonio de la Rua, who is son of the former president of Argentina)Shakira’s discography includes:

  • Magia (Magic;1991)
  • Peligro (Danger;1994)
  • Pies Descalzos (Barefeet;1995)
  • The Remixes (1997)
  • ¿Dónde están los ladrones? (Where are the thieves?;1998)
  • MTV Unplugged (2000)
  • Laundry Service (2001)
  • Grandes Éxitos (Greatest Hits; 2002)
  • Live Off the Record (2004)

Shakira’s DVDs and films:

  • MTV Unplugged (2000)
  • Live Off the Record (2004)

If you would like to buy or to download some of her music, this is a great site to do so:http://music.aol.com/artist/shakira/174707/discography So, what do you think of Shakira? We would like to see what you have to say!

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15 Comments »

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  1. I absolutely adore Shakira! I remember when she was just starting off. Around that time, Alanis Morisette (who is married to Lance Armstrong, as a fun sidenote) was popular along with Fiona Apple and other rock and pop artists of similar styles. Shakira took a formula that worked and brought some Latin flavor to it, which I think is truly amazing! At the same time, she has a very unique vocal style that sets her part. Shakira’s style is a bit remniscent of The Cranberries (another favorite of mine).

    I believe Shakira really embodies everything it means to be Hispanic/Latino in today’s world. We really have so many traditions borrowed from cultures around the world. Shakira is the pride of our people because she, in many ways, reflects everything that we are about.

    I know that, in regards to her musical talent, people are either hot or cold about her. I love her musical talent and I adore the fact that Shakira remains very down-to-earth, in spite of her tremendous success. It’s great that she still returns to her homeland and shares with the common folks. Not many artists of her caliber can say the same.

    Juanes is a similar artist in many regards. He gets my respect and admiration but Shakira has a more special place, for many reasons.. I think part of it is that she reminds me of a girl I dated in Puerto Rico whose name, interestingly enough, was Shakira.. Good memories there!

    Anywho, I’m rambling on here… This is a great piece and I hope to see more about Shakira. This is a nice crash course for those that love her and/or consider her to be an “overnight success”.. Clearly, it took her many years to get to where she is today.

    On a final note, I am a fan of all the aforemention musical preferences of hers. I especially love The Cure and Nirvana… And who doesn’t like a little Led Zeppelin and Beatles, at the very least?? My only gripe with Shakira is that she sampled a classic Jerry Rivera (yet another favorite Latin Pop Artist of mine)song and did not give him credit. I hope that her record label dropped the ball there and not her. I don’t see her as someone that steals material.. But everyone makes mistakes – we’re human, after all!

    Good stuff, Tatiana! =oD

    Comment by Yogizilla — November 23, 2007 #

  2. “Ojos Así” by Gloria Estefan ???

    It’s a mistake. I ave a CD right in front of me and it says “Ojos Así (Shakira/Pablo Flores/Javier Garza)

    Comment by Raphael Barbosa — November 25, 2007 #

  3. “Ojos Así” by Gloria Estefan ???

    It’s a mistake. I have a CD right in front of me and it says “Ojos Así (Shakira/Pablo Flores/Javier Garza)

    Comment by Raphael Barbosa — November 25, 2007 #

  4. Hello from a Shakira here in the UK. What a singer – what a girl!

    Comment by Anthony Lesley — December 1, 2007 #

  5. Arjona confirms a US tour???
    Rumor is that he’s gonna chat with fans next week.
    Have you heard how we can chat? Where? When? Etc.

    Rumor has it that he just filmed his 2nd video in Argentina.
    Has anyone seen any footage? What’s the song?

    Comment by laura — January 28, 2009 #

  6. How do you do all the dance like that can you come to my house to visit me i love your music so much LAUNDRY SERVICE I love to dance like you I can dance but i need some body like you to teach me i love you

    Mitcherline constant
    My tel(260) 449 9474
    call me. I love you

    Comment by mitcherline Constant — February 4, 2009 #

  7. i love shakira she is so hot and sexy iwish i test her ass with my toung
    and live for the rest of my life in her ass and pussy ahhhhhhhhhh iam daying iam fond of her back

    Comment by kebede — February 26, 2009 #

  8. GOOD MORNING SHAKIRA,
    REALLY YOUR VOICE,AND DANCE STYLE IS ABSOLUTLY DIFFRENT FROM THE OTHER STARS.
    I SHAL BE GLAD IF YOU SEND ME YOUR PICS WITH YOUR AUTO GRAPHS IN WHICH YOU MAY
    PLEASE BE WRITE THE WORDS ‘PERDESI BABA’
    THANK YOU.
    YOUR FAN
    goodlucksheikh@yahoo.com

    Comment by MR.SHEIKH — July 27, 2009 #

  9. HELLO………..SHAKIRA
    IF YOU HAVE TIME,PLEASE COME TO TOKYO………………….YOU CAN ENJOY JAPANESE
    FOOD ………..SUSHI……………TEMPRA,AND OTHER.
    HOPE TO HEAR YOU SOON.
    FAN OF SHAKIRA
    goodlucksheikh@yahoo.com

    Comment by MR.SHEIKH — July 27, 2009 #

  10. SHAKIRA THE GREATE
    I OFFER MY SERVICES AS A ‘BODY GUARD’ / TRANSLATOR/ PERSONAL SECRETARY
    HOPE TO HEAR YOU SOON
    goodlucksheikh@yahoo.com

    Comment by MR.SHEIKH — July 27, 2009 #

  11. hai shakira. this is raj frm india. . plz come 2 india. great country. .

    Comment by raj — July 27, 2009 #

  12. Much aloha with love, Shakira.

    Comment by ViC — August 5, 2009 #

  13. hi girl i love u so so bably

    Comment by latoya scott — August 8, 2009 #

  14. uyutyu

    Comment by utu — August 30, 2009 #

  15. Me too, i love shakira she is so hot and sexy iwish i test her ass with my toung
    and live for the rest of my life in her ass and pussy ahhhhhhhhhh iam daying iam fond of her back

    Comment by ngalye — September 2, 2009 #


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