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Shakira
Isabel Mebarak Ripoll (born February 2, 1977), known simply as
Shakira, is an celebrated Colombian singer-songwriter,
musician and record producer who has been a major figure in
the pop music of Latin America since the mid-1990s. In 2001,
she breakthrough into the English-speaking market with the
release of her first album in that language, Laundry
Service, which has sold over 3.5 million copies in the
United States and 15 million copies worldwide. After her
exposure to the English market, Shakira has arguably become
one of the most influential Latin American female musicians of
all-time.
Shakira is
best known for the ability of mixing different sound styles in
her songs and albums, for her critically-aclaimed lyrics and
for her dancing style which primarily features belly dancing.
Shakira's Christmas Goodwill!
December 21, 2007
Internationally acclaimed singer Shakira (she's also a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador) recently visited Bangladesh to meet up the women and children whose lives have been affected by Cyclone Sidr. She visited UNICEF-supported education projects and listened to people's stories of pain and struggle to rebuild their lives after the disaster. "I am sorry for what happened to you," Shakira said to a group of cyclone survivors. "But things are going to get better again. I admire your resilience and your patience and how much you can still give when you have so little for yourselves." Shakira also encouraged children there to keep up the good work and not give up on learning. She says, "By making a small investment in these children, we can give them the opportunity they deserve and we can build a better, safer world. I am impressed to see the difference UNICEF is making with education and life skills by reaching children with different needs." The Grammy Award-winning singer also participated in some of UNICEF's cyclone response efforts by distributing warm clothes and family kits to women and children. Great work gurl!
Shakira talks about Gabriel Garcia Marquez!
December 7, 2007
Despite their vast age difference, the two Colombian celebrities are good friends. The Nobel Prize-winning novelist even goes to watch Shakira whenever she performs in Mexico, where he lives most of the time. The two are most recently involved in the film "Love in the Time of Cholera". Gabriel Garcia Marquez wrote the novel where it the film is based, and he requested Shakira to contribute three poignant songs to the film's soundtrack, which she happily complied with. Shares the "Hips Don't Lie" singer, "I met Garcia Marquez about 10 years ago. He wanted to interview me for one of the magazines where he used to write. We spent all afternoon talking. A couple of weeks later, he wrote an article about me. Since then, we became friends. We try to stay in touch … We talk on the phone. He's a lovely person - a very warm human being with a great sense of humor."
Shakira went to college??
November 29, 2007
And I bet, if the college fratmen knew of this, the gorgeous Colombian singer won't be let out from the frathouse, lol! Unfortunately for them, Shakira went undercover so they have no way of knowing her. The singer claimed she went to college last summer in order to escape her celebrity lifestyle. Tsk! This girl is very unlike other celebrities who want to wallow in the limelight and parties. Anyway, according to the Daily Star, Shakira dyed her hair to disguise herself and has been musically inspired by her time studying. Says the "Hips Don't Lie" singer, "I felt a need to put a brake on everything, to escape from the celebrity life and reclaim a normal life for a while." And how was Shakira after her education sojourn? She shares, "It was very healthy for me. It was refreshing, because it allowed me to leave the pop universe for a moment and not think about the top ten."
Shakira concert rocks Afghanistan!
November 24, 2007
No, Shakira didn't have a concert in Afghanistan per se. As if the strict and conservative officials there would allow the singer to show off her famous gyrations and sensuous dance movements to the Afghan populace. As it is, the TV station (Tolo TV) that aired her concert there is earning a lot of criticism from government officials. One pro government paper termed the broadcast "notorious" and called Shakira a "naked US pop singer and dancer". And that was even if Shakira's chest was pixellated! The paper further stated: "We believe Shakira's song will be shown with Tolo TV's exclusive logo at the training camps for suicide attackers to urge our immature young people to leave a number of our mothers bereaved." Sheesh! Personally, I think that's stretching it too far already. In response, Mr. Saad Mohseni (owner of Tolo TV) said: "This (the televised concert) was not that provocative and Shakira was pixellated. The government is looking for an excuse to have a go at us. When we give airtime to the Taliban, we are 'talking to terrorists', when we air people criticizing the government, we are told we are 'opposing peace and reconciliation'."
Shakira not in a hurry to get married
November 13, 2007
Unlike other women out there, Shakira isn't antsy to get married despite being engaged for over six years. What was that again? Six years?? Man, even I will get antsy if I waited that long! Lol! Anyhoo, the Colombian beauty was seen last November 12 in the premiere of the uber-romantic movie (with a yucky title, sorry!) "Love in the Time of Cholera". Shakira looked gorgeous as usual, with a body-hugging glittery gold dress and oh-so soft curly tresses. The talented singer told the press that she'll "get married eventually" or maybe not. For her, the important thing is that she is together with her fiancée, Argentine lawyer Antonio de la Rua. Shakira shares, "We love each other and we want to stay like that. Why fix something that's not broken?" And for her, "Nothing can substitute love as the propelling force of everyone's lives." Who would have thought that she's a romantic?? Antonio is such a lucky guy! Marry her NOW dumdum!
Shakira's Oral Fixation Tour in Blu-ray!
November 5, 2007
If you haven't heard of Blu-ray then it's time you gotta have a life man! Or you can just google it, lol! Anyhoo, Shakira just finished her amazing Oral Fixation Tour (sold-out worldwide!) and Sony BMG had it all filmed for a Blu-ray release. The 16-song concert will be presented in widescreen high definition release. Included are Shakira's smash hits namely "La Tortura" (featuring Alejandro Sanz), "Hips Don't Lie" (featuring Wyclef Jean), "Whenever, Wherever" and "Underneath Your Clothes". Extra features in the Blu-ray release include a 20-minute documentary focusing on Shakira's nonprofit organization, 5-minutes of behind-the-scenes footage, 3 bonus videos, and 6 bonus audio-only tracks. w00t! It's definitely loaded with goodies guys! So for all those who love Shakira's music and performing style, grab a copy her live concert (viewed by over 2 million people in 36 countries) in Blu-ray. It is set for release on December 18 -- a perfect Christmas gift for a Shakira fanatic!
Shakira joins Bono, Alicia Keys and President Bill Clinton
September 25, 2007
Joins what, you ask? Definitely not a concert! Though I heard former President Bill Clinton can sing a tune or two, hehe! Shakira will be one of the participants of a round table discussion about the state of youth activism this coming September 29, 2007 at the historic Apollo Theater in New York. The discussion will be entitled "Giving - Live at the Apollo", and will be moderated by MTV News correspondent Sway. Along with Shakira, other participants are Alicia Keys, Bono, Chris Rock, and President Clinton.
The discussion is part of the 3-day conference in NY sponsored by the Clinton Global Initiative. Shakira and the other participants are expected to discuss the ways in which they have influenced change on social issues. Also, they will invite one of the lucky young people attending the event to partner with them on a new scheme designed to make a difference in the lives of people and improved communities in some of the poorest areas of the world.
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