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Whenever, Wherever
Background:
"My brain, I believe, is the most beautiful part of my body."
Shakira Grammy-winning, multi-platinum star Shakira received critical
acclaimed for her work in the best selling album Dónde están los
ladrones (1998). It spawned the mega-hit single "Ojos Así,"
and such U.S's chart topping singles as "Tu" and "Ciega,
Sordomuda." Aside from the album topping the Billboard's Latin
album chart for 11 consecutive weeks, it also sold over four million
copies worldwide.
In 1998, Shakira was named Latin Female Artist of the Year.
The Colombian native garnered even more recognition with the 2000 MTV
Unplugged album; a live version based on the acclaimed album Dónde están
los ladrones. She was awarded in 2000 for her efforts. The same year,
she also earned Latin Grammy Awards for her work in "Ojos As"
and "Octavo Dia." In 2001, Shakira drew praise with the
release of her English-Language debut album Laundry Service. Through the
first single "Whenever, Wherever," combined with its music
video, Shakira became well remembered not only in the English-speaking
world, but internationally as well. In addition, Laundry Service
received triple platinum certification and became one of the hit albums
of 2002.
Off screen, the ninth of 102 Stuff magazine's Sexiest Women in the World
(2002) is a philanthropist. She formed the charitable children's
organization "Pies Descalzos," which was named after her third
album. With her foundation, Shakira had donated 10,000 pairs of tennis
shoes to her hometown of Barranquilla to impecunious children.
As for her private life, the Latin pop sensation was linked to actor
Osvaldo Rios, then became headlines for dating her Antonio de la Rua,
the son of the former President of Argentina.
In 2005, Shakira, who is fluent in Portuguese, Italian, English, Spanish
and Arabic, launched the Spanish language album Fijacion Oral, Vol. 1.
The English language album, Oral Fixation, Vol. 2 will be released in
November.
Shaki
Childhood and Family:
"I was born and raised in Colombia, but I listened to bands like
Led Zeppelin, the Cure, the Police, the Beatles and Nirvana."
Shakira In Barranquilla, Colombia, Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll was
born on February 2, 1977. She is the daughter of William Mebarak
(jeweler and clock salesman) and Nidia del Carmen Ripoll Torrado. As the
youngest of the family, Shakira, whose name means "woman full of
grace" in Arabic, has seven older siblings: four brothers, Tonino
(road manager), Alberto (lawyer), Moises and Edward, and three sisters,
Lucy (neurosurgeon), Robin and Patricia.
A mix of Lebanese and native Colombian, Shakira, whose nickname is
Shaki, showed her love
of music at an early age. As a child, she listened to English-language
rock & roll, and began writing songs by age eight. Ten-year-old
Shakira was recognized in local and national talent contests, and often
won the shows. Her love of music continued as she began to study guitar
by age eleven.
Shakira's fondness of music continued to bloom when she decided to move
to Bogotá for a modeling career. Instead of doing modeling gigs, she
signed a record contract with Sony's Colombian when she turned thirteen.
Where are the thieves?
Career:
"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."
Gabriel García Márquez
Displaying her love for music early in life, Shakira, who once was
written out of her school choir due to her too-powerful voice, began her
music career in 1991 with the release of her debut album Magia (Magic),
which contains a collection of songs she wrote. The album did well in
her native country although it did not break internationally. Her second
studio album, Peligro (Danger, hit the music shelves in 1993), received
no better success.
Disappointed with the moderate success of her albums, Shakira tried her
hand in acting by joining the cast of the Colombian soap opera
"Oasis, El" in 1994, playing series regular Luisa Maria.
However, she decided to return to the music industry.
In 1995, Shakira recorded a blend of pop, rock and traditional Latin
rhythms in her third album titled Pies Descalzos (Barefeet). The result
of her work was astonishing as the album hit number one in eight
different countries, was certified platinum in the U.S., and sold over
four million copies worldwide. Its lead single, Estoy Aqui, became a hit
all over Latin America and in Spain, as well as being recognized
internationally. The album also spawned such hit singles as "Donde
Estas Corazon," "Antología," "Pienso en Ti,"
"Un Poco de Amors" and "Se Quiere, Se Mata."
The great success of Pies Descalzos (Barefeet) gave opportunity for
Shakira to embark on her first world tour. She also launched Portuguese
remixes of her songs for her Brazilian fans.
Shakira's big breakthrough arrived with the release of her big budget
album titled Dónde están los ladrones (Where are the thieves?) in
1998. Working with über-producer Emilio Estefan, she produced a perfect
mix of gritty, provocative lyrics and rock-laden tracks. As a result,
the album received rave reviews and quickly skyrocketed to No. 1 on
Billboard's Latin album chart for 11 consecutive weeks. It spawned the
worldwide mega-hit "Ojos así," and two chart topping singles
in the U.S, "Ciega, Sordomuda" and "Tu." Dónde están
los ladrones eventually gained multi-platinum certifications in such
countries as the U.S., Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Central America, and
Mexico, and gained platinum certification in Spain. Through the huge
success of her fourth album, Shakira was named 1998's Latin Female
Artist of the Year at the World Music Awards.
Following her success, Shakira launched the 2000 MTV Unplugged album; a
live version based on her best selling album Dónde están los ladrones.
Just like its predecessor, the album also tore up the charts, landing at
No. 1 on the Latin charts. It gained even more success when Shakira took
home her first Grammy for Best Latin Pop Performance in 2000.
Additionally, she won Unplugged-related trophies for Best Female Pop
Vocal ("Ojos Así") and Best Female Rock Vocal ("Octavo
Dia") at the 2000 Latin Grammy.
Shakira again drew attention with her first English recorded album,
Laundry Service (2001). With its first single "Whenever,
Wherever," accompanied by her sexy video, Shakira turned heads of
American audiences, making her a star in the English-speaking world.
The follow-up single, "Underneath Your Clothes," also became a
hit. Thanks to those two singles, Laundry Service debuted at No. 3 on
the American pop chart and was certified triple platinum. The album also
became one of the top albums of 2002.
To promote Laundry Service, Shakira staged her second world tour. She
then released a remix collection titled Laundry Service: Washed and
Dried, and a live album titled Live & Off the Record (2004).
Recently, the singer launched a Spanish language album titled Fijacion
Oral, Vol. 1 in June 2005. It spawned the lead "La Tortura"
(The Torture), in which she collaborated with Spanish pop-star Alejandro
Sanz. The video of the single entered Total Request Live (TRL), peaking
at No.9, while the album itself reached No. 4 on the Billboard 200 and
became the best-selling Spanish first-week sales album. It also was well
received in non-Spanish speaking countries including Canada and Germany.
Shakira will release the English language album, Oral Fixation, Vol. 2,
in November 2005. In her two albums, she co-produces and co-writes her
songs with Lester Méndez and Luis Fernando Ochoa. She teams up with
Rita Quintero for vocal compilation and direction of background vocals.
Awards:
- MTV Video Music (Latin America): Video of the year, 2002
- Grammy: Best Latin Pop Performance, Shakira: MTV
Unplugged, 2000
- Latin Grammy: Best Female Pop Vocal, "Ojos Así,"
2000
- Latin Grammy: Best Female Rock Vocal, "Octavo
Dia," 2000
- World Music: Latin Female Artist of the Year, 1998
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