In the world of pop music, America is often associated with generic and predictable tunes. It’s not often that you come across an international artist who remains loyal to their cultural heritage as they become more famous. Shakira is a rare exception to this trend, as she is deeply committed to promoting her roots through her music. Her love for her culture and origins shines through in all of her musical creations.
Shakira, a Colombian native hailing from Barranueilla, grew up with the unique blend of her Lebanese father’s cultural background and Colombian mother’s heritage. Her passion for music ignited when she started composing her songs at the tender age of 8. At 13, she inked her first record contract, paving the way for her successful music career.
The music industry is a unique and fascinating world. Shakira was quite young when she first made her debut in the American music scene, which is impressive considering that she had no cultural background from that country. Despite this, she still managed to support her own culture, and everyone seemed to embrace it happily.
Even though her first two albums didn’t gain much traction, Shakira refused to give up. She took matters into her own hands and wrote her third album, Pies Descalzos, in 1996, which ended up selling over three million copies worldwide. Not long after, she won her first Grammy Award for best Latin pop album in 2000, which helped establish her place in the Spanish-language music industry. As her fan base grew, she still had yet to truly conquer the Americas.
When she was 20 years old in 1997, she relocated with her family to Miami, Florida with the aim of broadening her fan base. She began mastering the art of writing songs in English and by 2001, she finished her maiden English album known as Laundry Service. This album attained rapid success by charting at No. 3 and gained recognition for two of her notable tracks, “Whenever, Wherever” and “Underneath Your Clothes.”
Back in 2006, she made waves with her captivating belly dancing and hip-swiveling moves in the hit track “Hips Don’t Lie.” Her unique cultural background allowed her to infuse her Lebanese roots into her music – dancing with bare feet and embracing life to the fullest. Her music often draws inspiration from different aspects of her heritage, be it Arabic or Spanish. Despite the variations, she manages to seamlessly blend her folk-rock style and present it to the American audience.
Throughout her career, Shakira has remained true to her unique blend of Latin, Arabic and rock music, producing albums for both Spanish and English speaking audiences. She has been recognized for her talent with multiple awards, including a Grammy Award for best Latin rock/alternative album. However, it was her catchy hit song “Waka Waka” that truly propelled her to global superstardom when it served as the theme song for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Afterwards, Shakira took on the role of a judge for two seasons, intermittently, on the renowned American reality show, The Voice. Her cultural background and intelligence enabled her to guide the contestants and make them realize the significance and advantages of embracing diversity as a pop star in the music world. Being diverse allows you to connect with a wider audience, which is crucial.
This is not suggesting that a white American should try singing in Spanish. Rather, it’s about embracing diversity and connecting with people from different backgrounds and cultures to become a relatable artist. Shakira, who has gained global recognition, is a perfect example of this approach.
She has a one-of-a-kind music style that’s lively and meaningful. Growing up in a diverse family, she adopted another culture when she relocated to the United States. Although she was already an adult when she moved, she still had to adapt to a new way of life and underwent culture shock. She remains proud of her heritage and has developed into a person who embraces various cultures.