Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, better known as simply Shakira, is a Columbian singer-songwriter and musician.

Born 2^nd February 1977 in Barranquilla, Colombia, Shakira began writing poetry and playing the guitar from a young age. This led to her writing her first song at eight, called Your Dark Glasses (Tus gafas oscuras), and before long she was performing music regularly at local events. She also developed a passion for bellydancing that would later have a big influence on her career. At thirteen she auditioned for Sony Columbia executive Ciro Varga and earned herself a deal with the label.

Shakira’s debut album Magia was released in June 1991 – when she was just fourteen. This was followed by 1993’s Peligro and her 1996 Latin American breakthrough Pies Descalzos – which sold more than five million copies worldwide and produced the US Hot Latin Songs chart Top 10 hits Estoy Aqui, ¿Dónde Estás Corazón?, Un Poco De Amor and Se Quiere, Se Mata.

The singer then cemented her place as Latin American superstar with the release of 1998’s ¿Dónde están los ladrones? It reached number one in several countries, including hitting the top spot on the US Top Latin Albums chart, and sold over ten million copies. It also produced a total of eight singles, including the Latin chart number one hits Ciega, Sordomuda and Tú, and the Latin Grammy Award-winning singles Octavo Día and Ojos Así.

Next came Shakira’s English-language breakthrough album, 2001’s Laundry Service. It reached the top spot in charts around the world, as well as number two in the UK and number three in the US, and sold over thirteen million copies worldwide. It also produced a total of six singles, including the US and UK Top 10 hits Whenever, Wherever and Underneath Your Clothes. She supported the album with her Tour of the Mongoose, which reached a global audience of 1.2 million.

Since then the singer has released a further three studio albums – Fijación Oral Vol. 1, Oral Fixation Vol. 2 and She Wolf – scoring hits with singles like La Tortura (ft. Alejandro Sanz), Hips Don’t Lie (ft. Wyclef Jean), She Wolf and Give It Up to Me (ft. Lil Wayne).

Shakira’s ninth studio album Sale El Sol is due for release in September 2010.