Shakira Biography

For his part, Sanz came away dazzled by the experience of working with Shakira. "Shaki is a small girl but she's a very big woman," said the Spanish singer. "She is crazy in love with her dreams and also tremendously aware…To work with Shaki has been wonderful but to get to know her has been the best."

Like most Latin American artists of her generation, Shakira has been a long-time Soda Stereo fan, particular of the band's resident songwriting and producer Gustavo Cerati. His work on "No", and "Día Especial" (Special Day) feature his cutting-edge, delicately layered electronic stylings and guitar work, and are among the highlights on the album. "To me, Cerati is the biggest rock en español star. I'm an even bigger fan after sharing a studio with him. "

After achieving superstardom throughout Latin America, and the United States (her last Spanish album sold over 1 million in the U.S. and nearly 4 million copies in Latin America and Spain) Colombian-born Shakira became worldwide phenom with the launch of 2001's Laundry Service, her first English album. Her unique artistry was quickly exalted and the album, Laundry Service produced a string of successes including chart-topping hits "Whenever, Wherever" and "Underneath Your Clothes." A tri-lingual child prodigy who wrote her first song at age eight, Shakira signed her first recording contract with Sony Music Colombia by the age of 13. Her first breakthrough release Pies Descalzos, ("Barefeet") catapulted her to superstar status in Latin America, Brazil and Spain. Her next album, ¿Dónde Están Los Ladrones? produced by Shakira, became an even bigger worldwide hit, spending 11 weeks at #1 on the U.S. Billboard Latin album chart and producing two #1 Latin hits "Ciega, Sordomuda," and "Tu."

Additionally, Shakira dedicates as much time as possible to her Foundation Pies Descalzos, which promotes education and relieves some of the basic needs among children displaced by violence in Colombia and has become a goodwill ambassador for Unicef.page << 1 2 3 4 5 6 >>