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Shakira, the Colombian singer, has left an indelible mark on the music industry. With a career full of successes and collaborations, she has won the hearts of millions of fans worldwide. From her early albums to her latest works, she has showcased her talent and versatility as a singer and songwriter. Her most popular and recognized songs have been awarded and have made a mark in Latin music. Additionally, she has collaborated with prominent artists and participated in iconic supergroups. Shakira’s impact on the music industry is undeniable.
Shakira’s Musical Journey
Shakira’s musical journey has been marked by constant evolution and success over the years. Starting in the 1990s, the Colombian singer released a series of albums that made a significant impact in Latin and global music. Let’s take a look at her early albums, notable collaborations, and her latest works.
Early Albuminas and Notable Collaborations
Shakira’s debut studio album, “Magia,” releas ed in 1991, marked the beginning of her musical career. Although it didn’t achieve commercial success, it laid the foundation for her unique style and talent as a songwriter. The album featured collaborations with artists like Miguel Enrique Cubillos and Pablo Tedeschi, who contributed to the creation of some of the songs.
In 1993, Shakira released her second album, “Peligro,” which also featured collaborations with notable composers like Desmond Child and Eduardo Paz. This album showcased the evolution of her musical style and her ability to create powerful and emotive songs.
Notable Albums of the 2000s
In the 2000s, Shakira gained greater international recognition with albums that became true hits. One of them was “Laundry Service” (2001), which included collaborations with prominent artists like Tim Mitchell, Glen Ballard, and Gloria Estefan. This album marked a turning point in her career, combining her pop-rock style with Latin rhythms and achieving great success worldwide.
Another notable album of this decade was “Oral Fixation Vol. 1” (2005) and “Oral Fixation Vol. 2” (2005), which showcased Shakira’s artistic maturity. In these albums, she collaborated with renowned musicians and producers such as Luis Fernando Ochoa, Gustavo Cerati, The Matrix, and Brendan Buckley, blending different musical genres and exploring new sounds.
Latest Works and Recent Collaborations
In recent years, Shakira has continued her musical career with new works and collaborations that demonstrate her versatility and talent. In 2009, she released “She Wolf,” in which she collaborated with The Neptunes and Jorge Drexler. The following year, she presented “Sale el Sol,” an album featuring collaborations with El Cata and Luis Fernando Ochoa.
One of her most outstanding projects was her self-titled album, released in 2014. In this album, Shakira worked with renowned artists like Rihanna and Blake Shelton, exploring different musical genres and establishing herself as a significant figure in the international music scene.
Throughout her career, Shakira has shown her ability to reinvent herself and adapt to musical trends, fusing styles and collaborating with renowned artists. Her contribution to music has been widely recognized, making her one of the most influential and beloved artists worldwide.
Successes and Worldwide Recognition
Shakira’s career is filled with hits that have captivated audiences worldwide. Over the years, she has released a series of songs that have become authentic anthems and have made a mark in the music industry.
Shakira’s Most Popular Songs
Among Shakira’s extensive repertoire, there are songs that stand out for their popularity and impact on the audience. Tracks like “Hips Don’t Lie,” “Whenever, Wherever,” and “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” have become international anthems and accumulated millions of streams on streaming platforms.
Other songs like “La Tortura,” “Underneath Your Clothes,” and “She Wolf” are also part of the singer’s greatest hits. These songs have not only been very popular in Spanish-speaking countries but have also won the hearts of audiences worldwide.
Awards and Recognition for Her Music
Shakira’s artistic quality has been recognized with numerous awards throughout her career. She has received multiple Grammy Awards, including Best Female Pop Vocal Album and Best Latin Music Album. Additionally, she has been honored at the Billboard Music Awards, MTV Video Music Awards, and Premios Lo Nuestro, among others.
In addition to awards, Shakira has been granted special distinctions for her contribution to music. She has been appointed a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and named Artist of the Year by Billboard magazine.
Shakira’s international recognition is a reflection of her impact on the music industry. Her ability to blend different musical genres and her charisma on stage have made her an iconic and beloved figure in the music world.
Notable Collaborations
Shakira has had successful collaborations with a variety of recognized artists in the music industry. These collaborations have allowed her to explore different styles and expand her reach internationally. Here are some of the artists Shakira has worked with:
Artists Who Have Collaborated with Shakira
- Alejandro Sanz: The duet between Shakira and Alejandro Sanz in the song “La Tortura” became a global hit, blending the unique styles of both artists.
- Beyoncé: Shakira and Beyoncé joined forces in the catchy song “Beautiful Liar,” creating a musical phenomenon and an iconic music video.
- Miguel Bosé: The collaboration between Shakira and Miguel Bosé in the song “Si Tú No Vuelves” captured the emotional essence of both artists and consolidated their legacy in Latin music.
- Wyclef Jean: Shakira and Wyclef Jean collaborated on the successful single “Hips Don’t Lie,” an explosive fusion of Caribbean rhythms and captivating lyrics.
- Mercedes Sosa: Shakira joined forces with the legendary Argentine singer to perform “La Maza,” a powerful song with a striking social and political message.
Supergroups and Iconic Songs
In addition to individual collaborations, Shakira has participated in supergroups and significant musical projects. Some notable examples include:
- “El último adiós/The Last Goodbye”: Shakira was part of this powerful collaboration with other Latin American artists to pay tribute to the victims of the earthquake in Haiti.
- “What More Can I Give”: Shakira joined this initiative led by Michael Jackson, participating in this charity song to support the victims of September 11.
- “Sing”: Shakira contributed her voice to this musical project with various international artists, driven by the fight against climate change.
- “Gracias a la vida”: Shakira performed this iconic song alongside other artists as a tribute to the immortalization of the work of Chilean singer-songwriter Violeta Parra.
- “Ay Haití” and “Somos el mundo 25 por Haití”: Shakira got involved in these charity initiatives to raise funds and provide support to Haiti after the devastating earthquake.
Throughout her career, Shakira has shown her ability to create unique and transcendent collaborations, blending styles and leaving her mark on each project. Her artistic versatility and her ability to connect with other artists have made her an iconic figure in the international music scene.
Impact of Shakira on the Music Industry
Her Legacy in Latin Music
Shakira has left an indelible mark on Latin music, becoming one of the most influential and recognized artists worldwide. Her unique style, blending Latin rhythms with elements of pop and rock, has redefined the sound of contemporary Latin music.
With her album “Pies descalzos” in 1995, Shakira captivated audiences worldwide with songs like “Estoy Aquí” and “¿Dónde Estás Corazón?”. Her success continued with the release of “¿Dónde están los ladrones?” in 1998, which included iconic tracks like “Ciega, Sordomuda” and “Ojos Así.” These albums marked a turning point in Spanish music, opening doors for new artists and solidifying Shakira as an essential figure in the music scene.
In addition to her impact on Latin music, Shakira has taken her music to audiences worldwide. Her collaborations with internationally renowned artists like Beyoncé on “Beautiful Liar” and Rihanna on “Can’t Remember to Forget You” have helped spread her musical influence beyond borders. Many of these songs have become karaoke classics.
Influence on Other Artists and Genres
Shakira’s influence goes beyond Latin music; she has made an impact on various genres and artists. Her unique style of fusing Latin rhythms with pop, rock, and other genres has been a source of inspiration for many artists worldwide.
In the pop world, artists like Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, and Camila Cabello have expressed their admiration for Shakira and cite her influence on their own careers. Her ability to combine emotive lyrics with catchy rhythms has left a lasting mark on the music industry.
Beyond pop, Shakira has also influenced urban music and reggaeton. Her collaboration on the hit “La Bicicleta” with Carlos Vives and her unique dance style have inspired artists like J Balvin and Maluma (“Chantaje”) to explore musical fusions and adopt elements of her characteristic style.
The Songs Dedicated to Piqué Throughout Her Career
Many songs have been dedicated by Shakira to Piqué during their long-lasting relationship. From “Waka Waka” to “Acróstico,” she has expressed her love and emotions through her music.
Waka Waka
During the 2010 World Cup, Shakira performed the song “Esto es África” or “This is Africa” in both English and Spanish. In this song, Piqué is not mentioned at any point, but he does appear in the music video alongside other footballers who participated in the event. This was a significant moment as it marked the beginning of the relationship between the former footballer and the talented Colombian singer. Although the song does not directly reference their romance, their joint participation in the video contributed to strengthening their connection in the context of the World Cup and the bonds that would be formed in the future. Here is the karaoke version for you.
Loca
In 2010, Shakira released “Loca,” which chronologically can be considered as the second song by the artist from Barranquilla with a reference to the Barcelona defender, and the first one in which a clear allusion to the footballer is made. In the song’s lyrics, we can hear the following phrase: “Yo soy loca con mi tigre | Él está por mí… y por ti borró” (I’m crazy about my tiger | He’s crazy about me… and for you, he erased). Furthermore, the music video for this song was filmed in Barcelona, adding a special and meaningful touch to her relationship with Piqué at that time. “Loca” marked the beginning of a series of romantic references to the footballer in Shakira’s music.
Dare(la,la,la)
In 2014, Shakira presented three songs that seemed to reference her ex-partner. The first one was “Dare (La, La, La),” where the singer expressed: “e busqué tanto hasta que llegaste… Con esa boca que Dios te ha dado | Tus dos luceros son todo lo que quiero… Sin tus ojos azules, me siento perdida.” In this song, Shakira showed her deep love and admiration for the footballer, emphasizing the importance of his blue eyes in her life.
Broken Record
In the same year, the talented Colombian singer released another captivating song titled “Rompiendo Récords” (Broken Record), in which we can hear the phrase: “No necesito seguir buscando… eres el indicado | Tus ojos me llevan a lugares con los que nunca había soñado…” It is clear that Piqué’s eyes were one of the charms that completely conquered Shakira’s heart.
It is important to remember that when they started their relationship, Piqué was 23 years old, while Shakira was 33, ten years older. Surprisingly, they share the same birthday, February 2nd. Throughout more than two decades of their relationship, we have witnessed how the footballer celebrates his goals by crossing his arms and making the “V” sign with each hand, a clear sign of dedicating the goal to his beloved on this special day (2nd of February).
23
In her musical repertoire, Shakira has a song called “23” that refers to Piqué’s age when they met. In the emotional lyrics, we can hear: “Hace unos años me sentía sola, solía dudar si existía un destino, pero luego me miraste con tus ojos azules… | ¿Crees en el destino? Porque yo sí, tal como lo hice en aquel entonces, cuando apenas tenías 23 años.”
La bicleta, Me enamore and Toneladas
During the peak of Shakira and the footballer’s relationship in 2017, there were three songs that made references to Piqué. One of them is the successful track “La Bicicleta,” sung together with Carlos Vives, which became one of the anthems of the summer. In one of the verses, Carlos Vives sings: “…i… si a Piqué algún día le muestras el Tayrona, después no querrá irse ‘pá’ Barcelona”
Another song from that year is “Me enamoré,” also very popular on the dancefloors. In the lyrics, Shakira expresses: “My life began to change…the night I met you | With you, I’d have ten children…let’s start with a couple | Look at those beautiful eyes…” (once again, making reference to Piqué’s blue eyes).
Furthermore, in 2017, there was another song called “Toneladas” where the Colombian singer shows her deep love for the footballer, singing: “And you give me massive tons of love | To me, this world without you would be nothing more than a bad invention | And if it weren’t for you, I would have given up my dreams.”
Te felicito
Monotonía
The title of this song could be the most revealing after the breakup. In ‘Monotonía’, Shakira shows her vulnerability. The song starts talking about monotony and then expresses her feelings. She gave more than she received in a dwindling relationship, fighting to save it: “Tú, distante con tu actitud y eso me llenaba de inquietud; tú no dabas ni la mitad, pero sí sé que di más que tú; estaba corriendo por alguien, que por mí ni estaba caminando”.
Music Sessions #53
When everything seemed calm, she revolutionized the music scene with a powerful and conflicted lyricism. In this collaboration with Bizarrap, Shakira leaves no stone unturned, making references to Piqué, Clara Chía, and even mentioning the mother of the former Barcelona player. These were some of the phrases the singer used: “Me dejaste de vecina a la suegra, con la prensa en la puerta y la deuda en Hacienda” “Te creíste que me heriste y me volviste más dura. Las mujeres ya no lloran, las mujeres facturan”.
TQG (Te Quedo Grande)
After a month and a half of success with ‘Session #53’ alongside Bizarrap, Shakira once again became the center of attention with another song that clearly alludes to the decline of her relationship with Piqué. This time, the Colombian singer collaborated with Karol G.
In this new melody, Shakira subtly reveals some cutting messages like: “Ahora tú quieres volver, se te nota; espérame ahí que yo soy idiota”.
Here we present a selection of Shakira’s best karaoke songs.