Shakira, the gifted Colombian vocalist, has had a significant impact on the music industry. Her impressive achievements and partnerships have earned her a devoted following worldwide. With each album release, Shakira has displayed her flexibility as both a singer and songwriter, from her earliest efforts to her current projects. Many of her most famous songs have been lauded in the Latin music genre and received multiple accolades. Furthermore, she has collaborated with high-profile artists and was a member of legendary supergroups. Undoubtedly, Shakira’s influence on the music industry will persist for many years to come.
Shakira has had a successful and constantly evolving musical career, showcasing her unique style and talent as a songwriter in both Latin and global music. Her early albums, such as her debut “Magia” released in 1991, laid the foundation for her career, while her second album “Peligro” in 1993 featured collaborations with notable composers. Her musical style continued to evolve, with her crossover into English-language music with “Laundry Service” in 2001, which included hit songs like “Whenever, Wherever” and “Underneath Your Clothes.” Her album “Fijación Oral, Vol. 1” in 2005 earned her a Grammy Award for Best Latin Rock/Alternative Album and featured collaborations with artists like Alejandro Sanz. Her latest album “El Dorado” in 2017 also received positive reviews and included collaborations with artists such as Maluma and Nicky Jam. Shakira’s ability to evolve throughout her career has earned her a devoted fan base and cemented her status as a global icon.
Shakira became a global sensation in the 2000s with her album “Laundry Service,” which featured collaborations with renowned artists such as Tim Mitchell, Glen Ballard, and Gloria Estefan. This album was a turning point for her career as it blended her pop-rock style with Latin rhythms and achieved worldwide success. Shakira also released two notable albums called “Oral Fixation Vol. 1” and “Oral Fixation Vol. 2,” featuring collaborations with Luis Fernando Ochoa, Gustavo Cerati, The Matrix, and Brendan Buckley.
Even today, Shakira continues to exhibit her versatility and talent with fresh works and collaborations. Her self-titled album released in 2014 features collaborations with Rihanna and Blake Shelton, exploring different musical genres. Shakira’s capacity to adapt and blend styles has made her one of the most adored and influential artists globally.
Shakira’s extensive repertoire includes international anthems like “Hips Don’t Lie,” “Whenever, Wherever,” and “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa),” accumulating millions of streams on various streaming platforms.
Shakira has a long list of popular hits that go beyond just “La Tortura,” “Underneath Your Clothes,” and “She Wolf.” Her music has won over fans all around the world, not just in Spanish-speaking countries. Over the course of her career, Shakira has received many awards for her incredible musical talent, including several Grammy Awards for Best Female Pop Vocal Album and Best Latin Music Album, along with honors from the Billboard Music Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, and Premios Lo Nuestro. Her contributions to music have also earned her some special distinctions, such as being appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and being named Artist of the Year by Billboard magazine. Shakira’s international recognition is a testament to her impact on the music industry, thanks to her ability to seamlessly blend different genres and captivate audiences with her stage presence. She is an iconic and beloved figure in the world of music.
Shakira has had the privilege of working alongside numerous esteemed artists in the music industry, leading to the creation of highly successful projects that allowed her to explore diverse genres and expand her global reach. Let’s delve into some of the notable musicians she has collaborated with.
Alejandro Sanz: The worldwide hit “La Tortura,” a duet by Shakira and Alejandro Sanz, blended both artists’ unique styles to perfection.
Beyoncé: The infectious single “Beautiful Liar” was the result of the collaboration between Shakira and Beyoncé, which went on to become a musical phenomenon with an iconic music video.
Miguel Bosé: “Si Tú No Vuelves,” a song capturing the emotional essence of both artists, solidified their legacy in Latin music as Shakira and Miguel Bosé joined forces.
Wyclef Jean: The explosive fusion of Caribbean rhythms and captivating lyrics were evident in “Hips Don’t Lie,” a highly successful single that emerged from Shakira’s collaboration with Wyclef Jean.
Mercedes Sosa: Shakira’s collaboration with the legendary Argentine singer resulted in a powerful song called “La Maza,” featuring a striking social and political message.
Super Groups and Iconic Songs
In addition to individual collaborations, Shakira has also contributed to supergroups and significant musical projects, including:
Shakira has left an incredible impact on the music industry through her collaborations with various artists. As a compassionate individual, she supported the victims of the Haitian earthquake by contributing to the creation of “El último adiós/The Last Goodbye” alongside other Latin American musicians. She also participated in Michael Jackson’s charity song, “What More Can I Give,” to aid the victims of September 11. Shakira’s commitment to the environment was showcased when she joined international artists in the musical project called “Sing” to promote awareness about climate change.
Shakira’s unique style of blending Latin rhythms with pop and rock elements has made a significant contribution to Latin music’s contemporary sound. Her albums “Pies descalzos” and “¿Dónde están los ladrones?” revolutionized Spanish music and solidified her position in the music industry. Her ability to connect with other artists and adapt to different genres has made her an iconic figure in the music scene. Shakira’s influence and recognition as one of the most influential artists worldwide have made a lasting impression on Latin music, and her legacy will continue for years to come.
Shakira is a global music icon who has transcended the Latin music scene and captivated audiences worldwide. Her collaborations with mega-stars Beyoncé and Rihanna have contributed to her far-reaching influence and elevated many of her songs to karaoke classics. Her distinctive combination of Latin rhythms with pop, rock, and other genres has inspired countless artists, including Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, and Camila Cabello in the pop world. Shakira’s emotional lyrics and infectious beats have left an indelible mark on the music industry. Moreover, she has served as a muse for the urban music and reggaeton movements, encouraging artists like J Balvin and Maluma to experiment with cross-genre fusions. Lastly, Shakira has penned several love songs for her partner, Piqué, including hits like “Waka Waka” and “Acróstico,” cementing their enduring romance through music.
During the World Cup in 2010, Shakira graced the stage with her performance of “Esto es África,” showcasing her bilingual skills in English and Spanish. Interestingly, her future partner, Piqué, didn’t make an appearance in the song, but he was featured in the music video with other footballers. This moment proved to be a turning point for their relationship, despite not being alluded to in the lyrics. Later in the same year, Shakira released “Loca,” which marked the first song that made a direct reference to Piqué. The lyrics included phrases like “I’m crazy about my tiger, he’s crazy about me…and for you, he erased.” The music video for “Loca” was shot in Barcelona, adding more weight to their love story. Hence, this song served as the starting point of Shakira’s romantic expressions towards Piqué in her music.
Back in 2014, Shakira dropped three tracks that appeared to draw inspiration from her former partner. One of the songs, titled “Dare (La, La, La),” had lyrics revolving around the search for someone with “blue eyes” whom she adores. Meanwhile, another track called “Broken Record” featured a line where she sings about how his eyes take her to places she never even dreamed of. It’s worth noting that Shakira is ten years older than Piqué, who happens to share the same birthday as her (they were both born on February 2nd). Throughout their two-decade relationship, Piqué has celebrated his goals on the field by crossing his arms and making a “V” sign in honor of his beloved.
Shakira has a song in her collection named “23” that speaks about the age of footballer Gerard Piqué when they first came across each other. The lyrics of the song are sentimental and emphasize the idea of fate and how Piqué’s eyes stole her heart. During their relationship back in 2017, three tracks were inspired by Piqué. “La Bicicleta,” a well-known summer hit featuring Carlos Vives, highlights how Piqué was unwilling to depart Colombia after his visit to Tayrona. “Me enamoré” reveals Shakira’s desire to have ten kids with Piqué and once again praises his stunning blue eyes. “Toneladas” represents her profound love for him, stating that the world without him would be meaningless. Nonetheless, “Te felicito,” although it may seem friendly, the lyrics reveal insincerity and a loss of love.