Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Shakira
Discover the career path of Shakira, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.
Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll is a highly influential Colombian singer-songwriter. She is celebrated for her global popularization of Hispanophone music. Her contributions to music have been recognized with numerous awards, including four Grammy Awards and fifteen Latin Grammy Awards, among which are three Song of the Year wins.
June 1991: Release of 'Magia'
In June 1991, Shakira's debut album, 'Magia,' was released, marking the start of her professional music career.
February 1993: Performance at Viña del Mar International Song Festival
In February 1993, Shakira performed at Chile's Viña del Mar International Song Festival, winning third place with the ballad "Eres".
March 1993: Release of 'Peligro'
In March 1993, Shakira's second studio album, titled Peligro, was released. It was considered a commercial failure due to Shakira's refusal to promote it.
1993: Second Album Release: Peligro
In 1993, Shakira released her second album, Peligro, continuing her early career development despite the album's commercial underperformance.
1994: Acting Role in El Oasis
In 1994, Shakira acted in the Colombian telenovela El Oasis, playing the character of Luisa Maria.
1994: Recording of "¿Dónde Estás Corazón?"
In 1994, Shakira originally recorded the song "¿Dónde Estás Corazón?" for the compilation album Nuestro Rock Volumen II.
1994: Started in Colombian TV series 'El Oasis'
In 1994, Shakira started in the Colombian TV series 'El Oasis'.
February 1995: Started Recording 'Pies Descalzos'
In February 1995, recording for Shakira's third studio album and international debut album, titled Pies Descalzos, started after the success of her single "¿Dónde Estás Corazón?".
October 1995: Commencement of Tour Pies Descalzos
In October 1995, Shakira commenced her first international tour, named simply Tour Pies Descalzos, which lasted for two years.
October 1995: Release of 'Pies Descalzos'
In October 1995, Shakira's album 'Pies Descalzos' was released, reaching number five on the U.S. Billboard Top Latin Albums chart.
1995: Release of Pies Descalzos Album
In 1995, Shakira released her third studio album, Pies Descalzos, which later inspired the name of her foundation.
1995: Return to Recording with Luis Fernando Ochoa
In 1995, Shakira returned to recording music under Sony Music Columbia, collaborating with Luis Fernando Ochoa.
1995: Breakthrough with 'Pies Descalzos'
In 1995, Shakira rose to prominence with her album 'Pies Descalzos', marking a turning point in her career after her first two albums.
November 1996: Tour Pies Descalzos Concert in Mexico City
In November 1996, Shakira performed the Tour Pies Descalzos concert at Mexico City's Auditorio Nacional, attended by 10,000 spectators.
1997: Founding of Pies Descalzos Foundation
In 1997, Shakira founded the Pies Descalzos Foundation, a Colombian charity with special schools for poor children all around Colombia.
1997: Viña del Mar concert
In 1997, Shakira had a concert at Festival Viña del Mar concert. The concert was one of her finest moments.
1997: Viña del Mar International Song Festival Concert
In 1997, Shakira performed at the Viña del Mar International Song Festival concert in Chile.
1997: Billboard Latin Music Awards and Album Success
In 1997, Shakira received three Billboard Latin Music Awards for Album of the Year for Pies Descalzos, Video of the Year for "Estoy Aqui", and Best New Artist. 'Pies Descalzos' sold over 5 million copies.
1997: Starred in Colombian TV series 'El Oasis'
In 1997, Shakira starred in Colombian TV series 'El Oasis'.
September 1998: Release of 'Dónde Están los Ladrones?'
In September 1998, Shakira's fourth studio album 'Dónde Están los Ladrones?' was released, becoming an even bigger worldwide hit than 'Pies Descalzos'.
1998: Release of 'Dónde Están los Ladrones?'
In 1998, Shakira released 'Dónde Están los Ladrones?', which further solidified her rising prominence.
August 1999: MTV Unplugged Recording
In August 1999, Shakira's MTV Unplugged was recorded in New York City, marking MTV Unplugged's first Spanish language broadcast.
1999: MTV Unplugged Broadcast
In 1999, Shakira's MTV Unplugged became the first episode broadcast entirely in Spanish, marking a significant milestone for Latin pop acts.
March 2000: Tour Anfibio
In March 2000, Shakira embarked on her Tour Anfibio, a two-month tour of Latin America and the United States.
August 2001: Release of "Whenever, Wherever" / "Suerte"
At the end of August 2001, "Whenever, Wherever" (English) / "Suerte" (Spanish) was released as the lead single from Shakira's first album intended for an English-speaking audience.
November 2001: Release of 'Laundry Service' album
In November 2001, Shakira released her album 'Laundry Service' (titled 'Servicio de Lavanderia' in Latin America and Spain) featuring nine English tracks, which debuted at number three on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart.
2001: Success of Laundry Service
By the time she released Laundry Service in 2001, Shakira had already sold 10 million albums in Latin America, according to Billboard.
2001: English-Language Market Entry with 'Laundry Service'
In 2001, Shakira entered the English-language market with her fifth album, 'Laundry Service', achieving significant international success.
2001: "Whenever Wherever" on MTV
In 2001, Shakira's "Whenever Wherever" music video was aired on MTV in both English and Spanish, a first for a Spanish-language video on U.S. MTV.
November 2002: Embarking on Tour of the Mongoose
In November 2002, Shakira started her first worldwide tour, the Tour of the Mongoose, that included 61 shows by May 2003, across North America, South America, Europe, and Asia.
2002: Success of 'Laundry Service' album
In 2002, despite initial criticism, Shakira's 'Laundry Service' became the best-selling album of the year, selling over 15 million copies worldwide and solidifying her position as a leading Latin crossover artist.
May 2003: Completion of Tour of the Mongoose
By May 2003, Shakira had completed 61 shows as part of her Tour of the Mongoose, which began in November 2002.
2004: Release of 'Live & Off the Record'
In 2004, Shakira released 'Live & Off the Record', a DVD and live album commemorating the Tour of the Mongoose.
2004: Declined Hollywood Walk of Fame Star
Originally, in 2004, Shakira was offered a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, but she declined.
April 2005: Release of 'La Tortura'
In April 2005, Shakira released 'La Tortura' featuring Alejandro Sanz, which remained on the Billboard Hot Latin Tracks chart for a record 25 weeks.
June 2005: Release of 'Fijación Oral, vol. 1'
In June 2005, Shakira's 'Fijación Oral, vol. 1' was released to great success, becoming the highest U.S. debut for a Spanish-language album and earning numerous certifications in Latin America.
November 2005: Release of 'Oral Fixation, vol. 2'
In November 2005, Shakira released her second English studio album, 'Oral Fixation, vol. 2', which debuted at number five on the Billboard 200.
2005: MTV Video Music Awards Performance
In 2005, Sanz and Shakira performed "La Tortura" at the MTV Video Music Awards.
2005: Founding member of ALAS Foundation
In 2005, Shakira became a founding member of Latin America in Solidarity Action (ALAS Foundation), a coalition promoting early childhood public policies in Latin America and the Caribbean.
2005: Release of 'Fijación Oral, Vol. 1' and 'Oral Fixation, Vol. 2'
In 2005, Shakira released 'Fijación Oral, Vol. 1', a Spanish-language album, and 'Oral Fixation, Vol. 2', an English-language album, both contributing to her continued success.
February 2006: Release of 'Hips Don't Lie'
In February 2006, Shakira released 'Hips Don't Lie' featuring Wyclef Jean, which became her first number one single on the Billboard Hot 100.
April 2006: Honored at UN ceremony
On April 3, 2006, Shakira was honored at a UN ceremony for creating the Pies Descalzos Foundation, recognizing her commitment to children's education.
June 2006: Beginning of the Oral Fixation Tour
In June 2006, Shakira embarked on the Oral Fixation Tour, which included 120 shows across five continents until December 2007.
November 2006: Release of 'Illegal'
In November 2006, Shakira released 'Illegal', featuring Carlos Santana, as the third and final single from the album 'Oral Fixation, vol. 2'.
2006: Collaboration with Alejandro Sanz
In 2006, Shakira collaborated with Alejandro Sanz on 'Te Lo Agradezco, Pero No', which became a top ten hit in Latin America.
April 2007: Success of 'Beautiful Liar' Collaboration
In April 2007, Shakira's collaboration with Beyoncé on 'Beautiful Liar' achieved significant chart success, setting a record for the largest upward movement on the Billboard Hot 100 at the time.
November 2007: Release of 'Oral Fixation Tour' Live Album
In November 2007, Shakira's third live album, 'Oral Fixation Tour', was released.
December 2007: End of the Oral Fixation Tour
In December 2007, Shakira concluded the Oral Fixation Tour, which began in June 2006, with 120 shows.
May 2008: ALAS Foundation Charity Concert Performance
On 17 May 2008, Shakira performed at the ALAS Foundation charity concert in Buenos Aires, leading the presentation of Alejandro Sanz's song "No es lo Mismo" and performing "La Maza".
2008: Honorary Chair of Global Campaign for Education
In 2008, Shakira served as the Honorary Chair of the Global Campaign for Education Global Action Week, advocating for education worldwide.
2008: Forbes Ranking and Live Nation Contract
In early 2008, Forbes ranked Shakira as the fourth top-earning female artist, and she signed a contract with Live Nation Entertainment.
June 2009: Feature on Mercedes Sosa's Album
In June 2009, a studio recording of "La Maza" by Mercedes Sosa featuring Shakira was released on Sosa's album Cantora, un Viaje Íntimo.
July 2009: Release of 'She Wolf' Single
In July 2009, Shakira released 'She Wolf' as the lead single from her upcoming album.
October 2009: Release of 'She Wolf' Album
In October 2009, Shakira released her eighth studio album 'She Wolf', receiving positive reviews.
2009: Release of 'She Wolf'
In 2009, Shakira released her album 'She Wolf' which received platinum certifications in various countries.
March 2010: Awarded medal by UN International Labour Organization
In March 2010, Shakira received a medal from the UN International Labour Organization, recognized as a "true ambassador for children and young people, for quality education and social justice".
May 2010: Release of 'Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)'
In May 2010, Shakira released 'Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)' with Freshlyground, the official song of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
October 2010: Sale el Sol Album Release
In October 2010, Shakira released "Sale el Sol", her ninth studio album, which received critical acclaim and commercial success.
November 2010: Received MTV Free Your Mind award
In November 2010, Shakira received the MTV Free Your Mind award for her dedication to improving access to education for all children around the world, following her performance at the MTV European Music Awards.
2010: Most Searched Female Entertainer
In 2010, Google revealed that Shakira was the most searched female entertainer of the year.
2010: Nokia Download Statistics
In 2010, Nokia reported that Shakira had more music downloads than any other Latino artist in the last five years, with She Wolf topping the charts. She was also ranked number five on the 'Online Video's Most Viral Artists of 2010'.
2010: Launch of "S by Shakira" Beauty Line
In 2010, Shakira began her own beauty line, "S by Shakira", with parent company Puig.
2010: Collaboration with World Bank and Barefoot Foundation
In 2010, Shakira collaborated with the World Bank and the Barefoot Foundation to launch an initiative for educational and developmental programs for children in Latin America.
2010: MTV Free Your Mind Award
In 2010, Shakira received the 2010 Free Your Mind MTV award for her involvement with the World Cup campaigns and philanthropic work.
2010: Release of Sale el Sol
In 2010, Shakira released her album, Sale el Sol, marking a return to her musical roots with ballads, rock songs, and Latin dance rhythms.
February 2011: Agreement between FC Barcelona Foundation and Pies Descalzos
In February 2011, the FC Barcelona Foundation and Pies Descalzos reached an agreement to collaborate on children's education through sport, furthering Shakira's philanthropic efforts.
August 2011: Dora the Explorer Appearance
In August 2011, Shakira appeared in an episode of "Dora the Explorer", and a song titled "Todos Juntos" was released with a music video.
November 2011: Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year
On 9 November 2011, Shakira was honored as Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year for her artistic achievements and philanthropic undertakings.
December 2011: Live from Paris Album Release
In December 2011, Shakira released her fourth live album, "Live from Paris", promoted by the single "Je l'aime à mourir".
2011: Awards and Appointments in 2011
In 2011, Shakira received the Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year and Harvard Foundation Artist of the Year awards. She was also appointed to the President's Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics in the United States.
June 2012: "Get It Started" Release
In June 2012, Shakira collaborated with rapper Pitbull for the song "Get It Started", which was slated to be the lead single from Pitbull's album.
September 2012: The Voice Coach
In September 2012, it was announced that Shakira would replace Christina Aguilera as a coach for the fourth season of the U.S. TV show The Voice.
January 2013: "Dançando" Single Release
In January 2013, Ivete Sangalo released a single titled "Dançando", featuring Shakira, off her album Real Fantasia.
February 2013: "Blanca Mujer" Release
In February 2013, Draco Rosa released "Blanca Mujer", a duet he sang with Shakira, as a promotional single.
March 2013: The Voice
In March 2013, Shakira started as a coach on the U.S. TV show "The Voice".
December 2013: New Single Announcement
In December 2013, it was announced that Shakira's new single ("Can't Remember to Forget You", a duet with Rihanna) would be issued in January 2014.
January 2014: "Can't Remember to Forget You" Release
In January 2014, Shakira released "Can't Remember to Forget You", a duet with Rihanna.
March 2014: Shakira Album Release
In March 2014, Shakira's self-titled tenth studio album, "Shakira", was released.
April 2014: Hero Award at Radio Disney Music Awards
On 27 April 2014, Shakira was honored with the Hero Award at the Radio Disney Music Awards for her Fundación Pies Descalzos work.
2014: Release of 'Shakira'
In 2014, Shakira released her self-titled album 'Shakira' which received platinum certifications in various countries.
August 2015: Announcement of Zootopia Role
On 14 August 2015, at Disney's D23 Expo, it was announced that Shakira would play a character in the Disney animated movie Zootopia.
September 2015: Featured in Angry Birds POP!
On 17 September 2015, Shakira was featured as a playable bird in the game Angry Birds POP! for a limited time, and also in a special tournament in the game Angry Birds Friends after a few weeks.
October 2015: Release of Love Rocks Starring Shakira
On 15 October 2015, Love Rocks starring Shakira was the first video game that featured the pop star.
2015: Time's Most Influential People on Social Media
In 2015, Time recognized Shakira as one of the most influential people on social media, highlighting her philanthropy.
May 2016: "La Bicicleta" Collaboration
In May 2016, Shakira collaborated with Carlos Vives on the track "La Bicicleta", which later won Latin Grammy Awards.
October 2016: "Chantaje" Single Release
On 28 October 2016, Shakira released the single "Chantaje" with Maluma, from the upcoming El Dorado album.
2016: Voice role in Zootopia
In 2016, Shakira had a voice role in the animated film Zootopia.
2016: Zootopia's Box Office Success
In 2016, Zootopia, featuring Shakira as Gazelle, opened to record-breaking box office success and grossed over $1 billion worldwide.
April 2017: "Me Enamoré" Single Release
On 7 April 2017, Shakira released the song "Me Enamoré" as the second official single from El Dorado.
May 2017: El Dorado Album Release
On 26 May 2017, Shakira's El Dorado album was issued.
June 2017: El Dorado World Tour Announcement
On 27 June 2017, The El Dorado World Tour was announced.
September 2017: "Perro Fiel" Single Release
On 15 September 2017, Shakira released "Perro Fiel" featuring Nicky Jam, as the third single from El Dorado.
2017: Release of 'El Dorado'
In 2017, Shakira released 'El Dorado', another Spanish-language album that topped the Billboard Top Latin Albums chart.
2017: Named One of the World's Greatest Leaders
In 2017, Shakira was named as one of the "World's Greatest Leaders" by Fortune, highlighting her influence as a socio-political figure.
January 2018: El Dorado World Tour Rescheduled
In January 2018, Shakira announced new dates for the El Dorado World Tour after postponements due to vocal issues.
January 2018: Grammy Award for El Dorado
In January 2018, Shakira won her third Grammy Award for Best Latin Pop Album for El Dorado.
June 2018: "Chantaje" Views
As of June 1, 2018, Shakira's "Chantaje" music video reached over 2.1 billion views on YouTube.
November 2018: Speaks about educational policies in Barranquilla
In November 2018, during a visit to Barranquilla for the construction of a school, Shakira criticized the Colombian government's plans to reduce the national education budget.
2018: Spotify's Most Streamed Female Artists
In 2018, Spotify listed Shakira as one of the top 10 most streamed female artists of the decade on the platform, making her the highest-streamed Latin artist.
November 2019: Release of Shakira in Concert: El Dorado World Tour
In November 2019, Shakira released her fifth live album, Shakira in Concert: El Dorado World Tour, as a digital download.
2019: 30 Fragrances Released
As of 2019, Shakira has released 30 fragrances, not counting deluxe editions, under her "S by Shakira" beauty line.
January 2020: "Me Gusta" Release
In January 2020, Shakira released "Me Gusta", a collaboration with Anuel AA.
February 2020: Super Bowl LIV Halftime Show
In February 2020, Shakira and Jennifer Lopez performed at the Super Bowl LIV halftime show, watched by 103 million people.
May 2020: Donation to combat COVID-19 in Barranquilla
In May 2020, Shakira donated over 50,000 face masks and ten respirators to combat the COVID-19 pandemic in her hometown of Barranquilla, demonstrating her commitment to her community.
December 2020: "Girl Like Me" Release
In December 2020, Shakira was featured on Black Eyed Peas' single "Girl Like Me".
2020: Spotify and Vevo Records
In 2020, Shakira achieved several milestones, including being the first female artist with 4 songs from different decades to have over 100 million streams on Spotify and breaking the Vevo Certified Awards record.
2020: Most Googled Musician of the Year
In 2020, Shakira was the most Googled musician of the year.
2020: Recognition of Longevity in Music Industry
In 2020, The New Zealand Herald noted Shakira's impressive longevity and ability to bridge crossover lines in the music industry and Paper Magazine recognized Shakira's success in the digital-streaming era.
2020: Recipient of the 2020 Global Literacy Award
In 2020, The World Literacy Foundation announced Shakira as the recipient of the Global Literacy Award for her significant contribution to the improvement of literacy for disadvantaged children around the world.
January 2021: Catalog Sale
In January 2021, Shakira sold her catalog of 145 songs to Hipgnosis Songs Fund.
July 2021: "Don't Wait Up" Release
On 16 July 2021, Shakira released a single titled "Don't Wait Up".
December 2021: Executive Producer for Dancing with Myself
In December 2021, it was announced that Shakira will be an executive producer for Dancing with Myself, an NBC dance competition series.
2021: Condemns violence during Colombian protests
In 2021, Shakira condemned the violence during the Colombian protests and asked President Iván Duque Márquez to stop the human rights violations, advocating for the value of human life.
April 2022: "Te Felicito" Release
On 21 April 2022, Shakira released the song "Te Felicito" with Rauw Alejandro, as the lead single of her upcoming album.
2022: Dancing with Myself Airs
Dancing with Myself, on which Shakira was executive producer, aired in 2022.
2022: Executive Producer and Judge on 'Dancing with Myself'
In 2022, Shakira executive produced and judged the dance competition series 'Dancing with Myself'.
January 2023: "Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53" Release
In January 2023, Shakira released the single "Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53" with Bizarrap, achieving significant success and cultural impact.
February 2023: "TQG" Release
In February 2023, Karol G's single "TQG" with Shakira was released, breaking records and debuting atop the Global 200.
July 2023: Latin Pop Airplay Chart Domination
In July 2023, Shakira became the first woman in history to occupy the top three spots on the Latin Pop Airplay chart.
March 2024: Release of Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran
In March 2024, Shakira's twelfth studio album, Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran, was released through Sony Music Latin, marking her first album release in nearly seven years and receiving generally positive reviews.
September 2024: Release of "Soltera" and incident at LIV Miami
In September 2024, Shakira walked off stage mid-performance at LIV Miami nightclub and later released the single "Soltera", which achieved chart success.
November 2024: Announcement of Return as Gazelle for Zootopia 2
On 8 November 2024, Shakira announced that she will return as Gazelle for Zootopia 2, slated for release in 2025.
2024: Release of 'Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran'
In 2024, Shakira released 'Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran', marking her as the first woman with number-one albums across four different decades.
February 2025: Start of Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour
In February 2025, Shakira's Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran World Tour is scheduled to begin in Rio de Janeiro, marking her first tour in over six years and expected to break Latin ticket sales and concert records.
November 2025: Return as Gazelle in Zootopia 2
In November 2025, Shakira will reprise her voice role as Gazelle and write a new song for Zootopia 2.
2025: Release of Zootopia 2
Zootopia 2, featuring Shakira as Gazelle, is slated for release in 2025.
