Shakira

Shakira is my favorite artist, period (although Jack Johnson is pretty high up there!). Although I have a mild obsession with all her songs, I’m also amazed at how awesome of a person she is. In case you are wondering who Shakira even is, I’ll give you some background info!

Shakira is from Colombia and is of Lebanese, Spanish, and Italian descent. Her name means “thankful” in Arabic (so cool!) She’s an only child but has 8 half siblings from her father’s side. She was first introduced to the doumbek, the drum often used for belly dancing, at age 4, which greatly influenced her popular and well-known dance style. She was rejected from her school choir because her vibrato was too strong and, according to the class, she sounded like a goat!

Her parents declared bankruptcy when she was 8, and her family sold many of their belongings in order to get some money. She was really upset about this until her father took her to a local park to see orphans who lived there. Upon seeing those kids, see declared that she would find a way to help the kids when she became famous.

Shakira has released 6 albums to date: Pies Desclazos, ¿Dónde Están Los Ladrones?, Laundry Service (first English album), Fijación Oral Vol. 1, Oral Fixation Vol. 2, and She-Wolf and is about to release Loca.

In 1995 Shakira founded the Pies Descalzos foundation, a Colombian charity with special schools for poor children all around Colombia. She, as well as other groups and organizations, fund the foundation. She is also known for performing at various benefit concerts. She’s an international UNICEF (United Nations Children’s Fund) Goodwill ambassador. She’s received numerous awards from “Humanitarian of the Year” to Top 50 Most Charitable Celebrities by OK! Magazine. She recently opend a $6 million school in Barranquilla, Colombia (her hometown) and was asked to speak at the University of Oxford to talk about her work with children and education.

After knowing all of that, I can’t imagine anyone NOT liking Shakira! I guess I’m slightly biased since I’ve always been a fan of her music. I went to her concert recently and just through her performances anyone can see how dedicated she is to her fans. She performed over 2 hours straight and there was not one moment where I was not entertained. Here are a few songs that I highly recommend:

-Ciega, Sordomuda

-Si Te Vas

-Underneath Your Clothes

-Estoy Aquí

-Whenever, Wherever

-La Tortura

****Once I started this list I realized how I wanted to put all her songs on here. Basically, just listen to all 6 albums—you won’t be disappointed!

Through both her performances and philanthropies Shakira shows her dreams to help people and change the world positively. There need to be more people like her in this world!

“Walking gets too boring when you learn how to fly.” Gypsy-Shakira