Shakira Mebarak (full name: Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll) was born 2-2-77 in Barranquilla, Colombia (on the coast)
born poor to a Colombian mother and American father of Lebanese descent, she's the youngest of 8 siblings
Shakira = "Woman of grace" in Arabic
Shakira music description = often compared to Alanis Morissette the beautiful, yet headstrong talented sensation is best known for tropical Latin Pop with a bit of Arabian and rock influence (this eventual mix caused some initial controversy when she went mainstream) mixed with quirky poetic lyrics
early musical interests included rock groups Led Zeppelin, the Beatles, the Police, the Cure, and Nirvana.
knewing that aspired to be a professional musician early, she wrote her first song at age eight, began entering (and winning) talent competitions at age ten
learned guitar at 11, about the same time it is thought she was kicked out a school choir for singing too loud over her fellow classmates
moved to Bogota, Colombia at age 13 aspiring to become a model.
pursued a musical carrer instead, immediately signing up with Sony's Colombia division
released Magia (Magic) in 1991 which made a name for her in Colombia
released the lackluster Peligro (Danger) in 1993
was selected to represent her native country for the Festival OTI in Spain during 1993, but was later rejected as being too young at age 16
returned to the studio in 1995 after more than a year break acting on Colombian soap opera El Oasis in 1994
released the sleeper success Pies Descalzos (Bare Feet), well received internationally
left El Oasis in 1997
released 1998's Dónde Están los Ladrones? (Where Are the Thieves?) with the aid of music mogul Emilio Estefan.
bigger than Descalzos, that album hit #1 for 11 weeks on the U.S. Latin charts and spun off many singles including heavily Arabian-flavored "Ojos Así".
"Ojos Así" was translated to English (Estafan's wife Gloria (anyone know her?) offered to do it originally before Shakira learnt enough English to do so herself)
has been engaged to Antonio de la Rúa, the son of the former President of Argentina, since 2000
performed the first-ever Spanish-language broadcast on MTV's Unplugged in 2000. A corresponding album was released, topping the charts for two weeks
the MTV Unplugged album would capture three Grammy Awards: Best Latin Pop Album (at the original Grammies) and Best Female Pop Vocal ("Ojos Así") and Best Female Rock Vocal ("Octavo Dia") at the inaugarial Latin Grammy Awards.
released the single/ video "Whenever, Wherever" in 2001, lead-off single from the later released Laundry Service
the mostly-English Laundry Service released in late 2001 serviced two pop top ten hits, the second one being the ballad "Underneath Your Clothes"
due to extensive touring for Laundry, a remix collection (2002's Laundry Service: Washed and Dried) and a live album (2004's Live & Off the Record) appeared instead of a new album
two new albums, one in Spanish, one in English would follow in 2005: Fijacion Oral, Vol. 1 came out June 7; Oral Fixation, Vol. 2, November
Fijacion Oral hit #1 on both the U.S. Top Latin Album and Pop Latin Album Charts. The album debuted at #4 on the U.S. Pop Album Charts
the lead single "La Tortura", which made its way into the pop Top 40, hit #1 on the Hot Latin Songs and Latin Airplay charts
"La Tortura" and "No" each received nominations at the 2005 MTV Music Video Awards Latin America, both for Video of the Year.
Took home four Latin Grammy Trophies in October 2006 - see above.
