Lasting Legacy of Shakira: A Look at the Influence on History

A closer look at the lasting mark left by Shakira—a timeline of influence.

Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, a Colombian singer-songwriter dubbed the "Queen of Latin Music," is celebrated for her global popularization of Hispanophone music. She has significantly impacted the Latin American musical scene. Her achievements include four Grammy Awards and fifteen Latin Grammy Awards, including three Song of the Year wins, marking her as a highly decorated and influential figure in the music industry.

Sections (7)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals Legacy & Impact

1999: Gabriel García Márquez's admiration for Shakira.

In 1999, the Colombian Nobel Prize-winning novelist Gabriel García Márquez wrote that "no one of any age can sing or dance with the innocent sensuality Shakira seems to have invented" and admired her phenomenal talent, extraordinary maturity, and will of granite. Later, Márquez and Shakira became friends.

2001: Shakira Discusses Musical Fusion

In 2001, Shakira told the Colombian newspaper El Tiempo that musical fusion offers her the opportunity to remove any type of label people want to place on me and gives her freedom.

July 2002: Shakira's comments on her new album

In July 2002, Shakira told Ted Kessler of The Observer, that her motivation for entering the English-speaking market was strictly intellectual: being exposed to new cultures, building bridges, growing as a person. "I just feel that my playground is larger now. I now talk to different cultures and I hope that I can bridge those gaps and differences between us. It's an adventure, a dream... I feel like I'm on an anthropological mission".

2002: Description of Shakira's Vocal Style

In 2002, Evan Wright of Rolling Stone described Shakira as a "rock girl through and through" with a singing style that is "full-throated and urgent".

2002: Shakira's Interview

In 2002, Shakira gave an interview where she expressed her belief in God and the sacraments, reflecting on her education and early exposure to child poverty issues at the Colegio La Enseñanza.

April 2006: Honored by United Nations

On April 3, 2006, Shakira was honored at a United Nations ceremony for establishing the Pies Descalzos Foundation. During her acceptance speech, she highlighted the plight of children in Latin America.

2006: Shakira cited as one of the celebrities in today's globalized world.

In 2006, the journal Global Issues, published by the U.S. Bureau of International Information Programs, cited Shakira as one of the celebrities "in today's globalized world" who "made it big by sharing the uniqueness of their talent and culture with the global community".

December 2008: Named Humanitarian of the Year

In the December 2008/January 2009 issue, People en Español declared Shakira the Humanitarian of the Year as part of its Las Estrellas del Año awards.

November 2009: "The making of Saint Shakira" essay published by The Guardian.

In November 2009, The Guardian published an in-depth essay by Euan Ferguson titled "The making of Saint Shakira," discussing her impact on Colombia's social change, childhood education, and her ability to engage with world leaders.

November 2009: Description of Shakira as a Wildly Inventive Diva

On November 22, 2009, Steve Huey of AllMusic described Shakira as a "wildly inventive diva who created a cross-cultural pop sound rooted in her native Colombia but encompassing nearly every territory in the world."

2009: Article in The New York Times Magazine

In 2009, Scott Malcomson wrote an article in The New York Times Magazine describing Shakira's life as "relentless and unlikely", commenting on her work ethic, relationship with fans, and the limiting yet critical factor of her "feminine allure".

2009: Shakira's Universal Appeal

In 2009, Scott Malcomson wrote in The New York Times Magazine that Shakira, with her Lebanese ancestry and English-language songs, demonstrated how universal a Latin artist could be, especially with her bilingual hit 'Hips Don't Lie' done with Wyclef Jean.

2009: Reflection on life in the public eye

In 2009, Shakira reflected on her life, stating that being in the public eye since a young age is the only way of living she knows and that her family and friends help her remember what's real.

2009: Reflection on professional motivation

In 2009, Shakira reflected on her motivations for her career, initially driven by a desire to bring joy to her parents and make her country proud. She later realized the importance of personal fulfillment, stating she was working for herself.

November 2010: Shakira as 'living proof that pop and politics can mix'

In November 2010, The Independent published an article calling Shakira "living proof that pop and politics can mix". The newspaper noted Shakira's comfort and influence among political figures.

February 2011: Named Artist of the Year by the Harvard Foundation

In February 2011, the Harvard Foundation named Shakira Artist of the Year at its Cultural Rhythms festival, recognizing her contributions to music and humanitarian efforts.

2013: "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" named best World Cup song.

In 2013, Billboard named Shakira's "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" the best World Cup song and "the most successful World Cup anthem ever," recognizing its global impact and popularity that extended beyond the 2010 World Cup.

2015: Recognized as one of the most influential people on social media.

In 2015, Time recognized Shakira as one of the most influential people on social media, acknowledging her significant online presence and effective use of her platform for promoting her work and philanthropy.

September 2017: Time Magazine Calls Shakira a Pop Legend

In September 2017, Time magazine referred to Shakira as a "pop legend", recognizing her significant impact on the music industry.

2017: Comments on Shakira's "globalized sound"

In 2017, Deutsche Welle's journalist Kate Müser commented on Shakira's "globalized sound," noting how her blend of Latin beats, Middle Eastern elements, and pop influences made her a citizen of the world. Müser quoted Rolling Stone magazine's comparison of Shakira with American pop idols.

2017: Named as one of the "World's Greatest Leaders" of 2017 by Fortune.

In 2017, Shakira was named one of the "World's Greatest Leaders" by Fortune for her philanthropic work and influence on social media, particularly her advocacy for vulnerable children.

2018: "Hips Don't Lie" as one of the greatest songs by 21st century female artists.

In 2018, National Public Radio selected "Hips Don't Lie" as one of the greatest songs by 21st-century female artists, ranking it at number 65, highlighting its impact on the music genre and Shakira's success in appealing to a U.S. listenership.

2018: Shakira Called 'Titan of Latin Pop' by The New York Times

In 2018, The New York Times referred to Shakira as "a titan of Latin Pop", acknowledging her rock, pop, and reggaeton contributions over almost three decades, even as a new generation of Spanish-speaking artists crossed over into American music's mainstream.

2019: Considered for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

In 2019, Houston Press listed Shakira as one of the women who should have been introduced into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, acknowledging her long-standing career and impact.

October 2020: Lucas Villa on 25th Anniversary of 'Pies Descalzos'

In October 2020, Lucas Villa wrote about the 25th anniversary of Shakira's 'Pies Descalzos' album, noting her poetic lyricism and the blend of Latin rock with pop and Middle Eastern music influences that reflected her Lebanese heritage. He said the "free-spirited Shakira essence remains the same".

December 2020: Entertainment Tonight recognizes Shakira as an Influential Artist

In December 2020, Entertainment Tonight recognized Shakira as "one of the most influential artists of the 21st century", highlighting her lasting impact and influence in the music world.

2020: Shakira's impact on Latin Music

In 2020, Lucas Villa summarized in Paper magazine that Shakira paved the way for Colombian talent like J Balvin, Maluma and Karol G to emerge.

2020: Shakira's longevity in the music industry.

In 2020, The New Zealand Herald highlighted Shakira's longevity in the music industry. Also in 2020, The Paper magazine acknowledged Shakira's success in navigating the digital-streaming era. In 2020, Google reported Shakira as the most Googled musician/band of the year and the 7th most searched person.

January 2021: Merck Mercuriadis Hails Shakira as 'Queen of Latin Music'

In January 2021, Merck Mercuriadis of the Hipgnosis Songs Fund, after buying Shakira's song rights, hailed her as the "Queen of Latin Music", emphasizing her role as one of the most serious and successful songwriters of the last 25 years.

December 2021: Shakira listed as one of the most influential female artists of the 21st century.

In December 2021, Madison Troyer of Stacker listed Shakira as one of the most influential female artists of the 21st century, praising her international stardom while staying true to her Latin American roots.