Shakira has built a career as an international celebrity who transcends continents and generations. Through her powerful voice, hit tracks like ‘Hips Don’t Lie’ and energetic moves, only a few pop stars command a stage. Now, as the anticipation is building for Shakira’s forthcoming concert in India, it’s the opportune time for fans to look back at her body of work to see why this Colombian icon has achieved such an impressive feat.
But behind Shakira’s electrifying stage presence and viral dance moves, there lies a fascinating backstory that is filled with interesting and lesser-known information about her life. Here are five lesser-known facts about Shakira that will add to the intrigue of her background.
She was signed by a record company when she was 13
Prior to becoming an international superstar, Shakira had been pursuing her dream of becoming a music star since she was a young girl. At age 13, she was signed to Sony Music Colombia. Although her first few albums were not global successes, they established a large fan base in Latin America. When she released Pies Descalzos at the age of 17, it marked the beginning of her global success.
She created a charity for children when she was still a teenager
Unlike other celebrities who often become active in charitable causes later in their lives, Shakira started at an early age when she set up the Barefoot Foundation (Fundación Pies Descalzos). At nineteen years old, Shakira launched the foundation to provide education to underprivileged children in Colombia. To date, the foundation has established a number of schools, which provide thousands of students with the opportunity for access to education and better opportunities.
Her hometown honoured her with a giant statue
In other parts of the world, artists often receive something small, like an award or a plaque. Shakira received something much bigger, and in this case, it was a truly enormous bronze statue in honour of her enormous dance moves. Her hometown, Barranquilla, Colombia, has erected an almost six-metre-tall bronze statue depicting Shakira in her iconic hip sway that her fans are very familiar with. For the people of Barranquilla, it represents a sense of pride in their local girl who has become a global success in the music industry.
‘Hips Don’t Lie’ almost didn’t happen
‘Hips Don’t Lie’ is among the most popular pop songs of the past decade. Shakira highly believed that this song would succeed. After reviewing her previous record, she felt so strongly about Hips Don’t Lie that she insisted on adding it to an album after its initial distribution date. The song’s success, chart-topping status worldwide, and her first number one song in the USA validate her instincts.
Her music blends cultures from around the world
The uniqueness of Shakira’s music is found in her talent for blending different styles of music. The singer typically incorporates Latin pop, rock, Middle Eastern sounds, and global beats into her musical compositions. Her cultural background has also given her the opportunity to develop her unique integrated style of music through her use of performance styles and musical elements.
The global icon who keeps reinventing herself
Decades later, Shakira is still one of the most well-known voices in worldwide popular music. As an adolescent entertainer with global success, philanthropic involvement, and cultural significance, Shakira’s rise to stardom has been anything but typical. Her upcoming shows in India represent an opportunity for fans to experience her energy, charisma, and legendary dance moves that have characterized her career over the last 20-plus years.
One thing’s certain – when Shakira takes the stage, the world watches.
