Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll was born on February 9, 1977 in Barranquilla, Columbia. The singer grew up in a poverty-stricken family. Her mother was a native Columbian and her father was of Lebanese descent. As a child, she listened to music from both her parent’s culture but also she enjoyed American Rock N’ Roll. Shakira’s favorite American bands and artists were Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, The Police, The Cure, and Nirvana. When she was eight years old, Shakira began writing her own music. At ten she was entering and winning talent competitions. At eleven, Shakira taught herself how to play the guitar. In 1990, when she was only 13 years old, Shakira moved to Bogota in hopes of getting a modeling contract. Instead, she got a record deal with Sony’s Columbia division.
Shakira’s debut album, Magia (Magic), was released in 1991. The songs were all written by Shakira. Although the album did not go international, it began a name for the young artist. In 1993, Shakira released Peligro (Danger). In 1994, Shakira took a break from singing and starred on the Columbian soap opera, El Oasis. In 1995, she returned to recording. This time, she insisted with her record label that she be able to create whatever type of music she wanted to. Shakira wanted her next cd to be amix of Arabic, Latin, and Rock N’ Roll. Shakira’s album, Pies Descalzos (Bare Feet), was internationally released. At first, the album did not do so well. But, with the release of “Estoy Aqui,” the album sky rocketed. The single became a hit in Latin America, Spain, and Brazil. The album also spawned the hits “Donde Estas Corazon,” “Antologia,” “Pienso En Ti,” “Un Poco de Amor,” and “Se Quiere, Se Mata.” The album was number one in eights different countries. It even went platinum in the US Latin Charts. Shakira toured for two yearsin order to promote Pies Descalzos.
Soon after, Shakira signed Emilio Estefan (singer, Gloria Estefan’s husband) as her manager. Shakira then released Donde Estan Las Ladrones? (Where are the Thieves?). The album was a mjor hit.It stayed at number one for 11 weeks on the Billboard Latin chart. The single, “Ojos Asi,” did extremely well. Shakira realized she needed to learn English in order to successfully cross-over. She appeared on MTV’s Unplugged. This was the first Spanish taping of the popular show. In early 2000, the album for the show was released. Shakira received a Grammy for Best Latin Pop Album. Soon after, the singer dyed her long brown hair to blond. She also began dating Antonio de la Rua (son of former president of Argentina). In fact, at one point when Argentina was in turmoil, all of Shakira’s albums were taken off the shelf. The new government felt that she would create support for the old regime (which her boyfriend’s father had been president).
In 2002, Shakira released her first cross-over album entitled Laundry Service. The hit single, “Wherever, Whenever,” turned the Latin star into an overnight American super star. The album peaked at number six on the billboard charts. The single, “Underneath Your Clothes,” also did extremely well. Laundry Service went to triple platinum.
Bio written by: bandhunt |
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