Singer-songwriter Shakira was born on February 2, 1977, in Barranquilla, Colombia. She began writing and composing music at the age of eight and began participating in various music events around the age of ten. After meeting local theater producer Monica Ariza, she auditioned for a music company. At age 13, she signed with Sony-Columbia and made her debut in 1991 with the album "Magic." She then took a break from recording to graduate from high school, but returned in 1995 with her third album. Her fourth album, "Where's the Thief?", sold over 7 million copies and gained fans in non-Spanish-speaking countries such as the United States and France. Her 2001 album, "Laundry Service," influenced by rock and Spanish dance, sold over 13 million copies worldwide, and its track "Whenever Wherever" reached number one in 40 countries. Furthermore, her collaborations with Beyoncé and Wyclef Jean have been hits, and in 2010 her theme song for the FIFA World Cup in South Africa, "Waka Waka," was also a huge hit. The music video has been viewed over 580 million times.

She then married FC Barcelona's Gerard Pique. She gave birth to her first child in January last year and took a hiatus, but has now announced that she will release a new album in the US on March 25th. Her first single, "Can't Remember to Forget You," a collaboration with Rihanna, has been released and is generating a lot of buzz.