Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll , known mononymously as Shakira , is a Colombian singer-songwriter, dancer, record producer, choreographer, and model. Born and raised in Barranquilla, she began performing in school, demonstrating Latin, Arabic, and rock and roll influences and belly dancing abilities. In the early 1990s, Shakira emerged in the music industry of Colombia, though she was little-known outside of the country; her first two studio efforts were met with a poor critical reception. She rose to prominence in Latin America with her official debut studio album Pies Descalzos . Her second album Dónde Están los Ladrones? sold over 7 million copies worldwide. read more