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, known as Shakira, is a highly influential Colombian singer-songwriter. She is recognized for her global impact on popularizing Hispanophone music. Her achievements include four Grammy Awards and fifteen Latin Grammy Awards, with three of those being for Song of the Year, underscoring her significant contributions to the music industry.

Sections (7)

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

1999: Gabriel García Márquez Praises Shakira's Innocent Sensuality and Musical Talent

In 1999, Gabriel García Márquez wrote about Shakira, praising her innocent sensuality, phenomenal musical talent, extraordinary maturity, and will of granite.

2006: Shakira Cited as a Celebrity Sharing Her Unique Talent and Culture

In 2006, the journal Global Issues cited Shakira as one of the celebrities who "made it big by sharing the uniqueness of their talent and culture with the global community".

November 2009: AllMusic Describes Shakira as a Wildly Inventive Diva

In November 2009, Steve Huey of AllMusic described Shakira as a "wildly inventive diva" who created a cross-cultural pop sound rooted in Colombia. He noted her creative control over her music and her reputation as an ambitiously poetic lyricist.

November 2009: The making of Saint Shakira

In November 2009, The Guardian published an essay by Euan Ferguson titled "The making of Saint Shakira," discussing Shakira's influence on social change in Colombia, especially in childhood education, and her ability to discuss issues with world leaders. She is viewed as a saint in Colombia and Ferguson found her authentic and convincing.

2009: Scott Malcomson comments on Shakira's life

In 2009, Scott Malcomson described Shakira's life in The New York Times Magazine as "relentless and unlikely", commenting on her work ethic, relationship with fans, and the complexities of her feminine allure.

2009: Shakira reflects on her motivations

In 2009, Shakira reflected on her motivations for working hard, initially driven by the desire to bring joy to her parents and later to make her country proud. Eventually, she realized she was also working for herself.

2009: Shakira's Universal Appeal as a Latin Artist

In 2009, The New York Times Magazine noted Shakira's universal appeal as a Latin artist, balancing her Lebanese ancestry and English-language songs while staying true to her Latin American roots.

November 2010: Living proof that pop and politics can mix

In November 2010, The Independent published an article calling Shakira a "living proof that pop and politics can mix", highlighting her ability to balance battling poverty with her pop career and her influence with the global political elite. The article also noted her fluency in English and her preference for discussing geo-politics over her own sexual politics.

November 2011: Honored as Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year

On November 9, 2011, Shakira was honored as the Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year for her artistic achievements and philanthropic endeavors. She was the youngest musician to receive this honor.

2013: "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" Named Best World Cup Song

In 2013, Billboard named "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" the best World Cup song and "the most successful World Cup anthem ever".

2014: Third Performance at FIFA World Cup and Naming of Aleiodes shakirae

In 2014, Shakira became the first musical act to perform three times at the FIFA World Cup. Additionally, Aleiodes shakirae, a newly-described species of parasitic wasp, was named after her.

September 2017: Time Magazine Refers to Shakira as a Pop Legend

In September 2017, Time magazine referred to Shakira as a "pop legend".

2017: Deutsche Welle comments on Shakira's globalized sound

In 2017, Deutsche Welle's journalist Kate Müser commented on Shakira's "globalized sound", which blends Latin beats with Middle Eastern and other world elements, making listeners feel like citizens of the world. Müser quoted Rolling Stone's comparison of Shakira to American female pop idols, highlighting her stylistic breadth.

2018: "Hips Don't Lie" Selected as One of the Greatest Songs by 21st Century Female Artists

In 2018, "Hips Don't Lie" was selected as one of the greatest songs by 21st-century female artists by National Public Radio, ranked at number 65.

2018: Shakira Recognized as a Titan of Latin Pop by The New York Times

In 2018, The New York Times called Shakira "a titan of Latin Pop," highlighting her diverse output spanning rock, pop, and reggaeton over three decades.

2019: Houston Press: Women who should have been introduced into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

In 2019, Houston Press listed Shakira as one of the women who should have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, citing her debut album release nearly 30 years prior.

October 2020: Lucas Villa comments on Shakira's 25th anniversary

In October 2020, Lucas Villa wrote about the 25th anniversary of Shakira's "Pies Descalzos" album, highlighting her creative control and poetic lyricism.

December 2020: Entertainment Tonight Perceives Shakira as One of the Most Influential Artists of the 21st Century

In December 2020, Entertainment Tonight recognized Shakira as "one of the most influential artists of the 21st century".

2020: Shakira Paved the Way for Latin Artists Like Maluma and J Balvin

In 2020, Shakira has paved the way for Latin artists such as Maluma and J Balvin to crossover to U.S. Market.

2020: Shakira's Longevity and Ability to Crack the Digital-Streaming Era

In 2020, Shakira's longevity in the music industry and her ability to crack the digital-streaming era were highlighted by The New Zealand Herald and Paper magazine.

January 2021: Shakira Hailed as the "Queen of Latin Music"

In January 2021, Merck Mercuriadis of the Hipgnosis Songs Fund hailed Shakira as the "Queen of Latin Music," emphasizing her role as a serious and successful songwriter.

December 2021: Shakira Named One of the Most Influential Female Artists of the 21st Century by Kiss FM

In December 2021, Kiss FM named Shakira one of the most influential female artists of the 21st century, highlighting her being an international star without abandoning her Latin American roots.

2022: Included in list of "the most influential women in the history of music"

In 2022, Shakira's financial worth was estimated at $300 million. In 2022, MTV (Latin American TV channel) included Shakira in the list of "the most influential women in the history of music", as the only Latina on the list.

2025: Shakira's Emotional State and Concert Dates in Mexico

In 2025, Shakira reflected on her emotional state, noting that "healing processes take many years." Additional concert dates in Mexico were announced for March and April. For the last two shows of the Latin American tour, Shakira had Maluma and Carlos Vives as special guests.

2026: Planned Tour Expansion to Europe, Asia, and the Middle East

According to Billboard, in 2026 Shakira plans to extend her tour beyond the Americas to Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The goal is to ensure her music, story, and legacy reach every corner of the globe during 2025 and 2026.