Shakira Day on September 29: The Reason Behind
The Colombian artist has sold more than 60 million records worldwide and has won numerous awards
Shakira‘s impact on the music industry has been so profound that today, on September 29th, it has been officially declared as ‘Shakira Day.’ This celebration arose through the hashtag #ShakiraMereceUnDía, which resonated across various Latin American countries, including Colombia, Mexico, Chile, and Argentina. The objective was to honor this exceptionally talented artist with her very own day. Eventually, Spotify joined this movement and officially recognized it.
The selection of this date was not arbitrary –it holds special significance as it coincides with the anniversary of the release of her influential album ¿Dónde Están los Ladrones? which made its debut on September 29, 1998, and marked an essential moment in her career, as it propelled her to international recognition.
Her Success Shown In Numbers
Currently, Shakira has more than 64 million monthly listeners on the streaming platform, with her music enjoying the highest play counts in Mexico, followed by the United States and Spain. Interestingly, her homeland of Colombia ranks ninth in terms of listenership. To illustrate her impact, her iconic music video «Waka Waka,» –the official FIFA song in 2010–, has accumulated an astounding 3.737 billion views. Moreover, hits like «Chantaje» have reached 2.888 billion views, while «Hips Don’t Lie» boasts 1.330 billion views, just to name a few of her successes.
Over the course of her three-decade-long music career, the Colombian artist has composed over 140 songs and sold more than 60 million albums worldwide. Her awards include 2 GRAMMY Awards, 8 Latin GRAMMY Awards, in addition to numerous World Music Awards, American Music Awards, and Billboard Awards.
Shakira holds the distinction of being the sole South American artist to attain the number one position on the U.S. music charts, and four of her singles secured spots within the top 20 best-selling tracks of the past decade. Her collaboration on «Sessions, Vol. 53» with Bizarrap earned her a remarkable 14 Guinness World Records.
Philanthropic Efforts
In addition to her remarkable music career, Shakira is renowned for her philanthropic efforts. She founded the ‘Pies Descalzos Foundation,’ which provides education and sustenance to over 6,000 children living in extreme poverty in Colombia. Furthermore, the foundation has expanded its reach, including recent projects in Haiti and South Africa. In recognition of her humanitarian contributions, she was appointed a Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF.
Shakira’s Versatility
And if her artistic and humanitarian achievements were not impressive enough, her versatility extends to various other fields. Besides being an exceptional dancer and singer, she also practices tennis, golf, skating, and surfing. Is there anything she cannot master? Lastly, it is noteworthy that Shakira is a polyglot, fluently conversant in Spanish, English, Portuguese, Italian, French, and Catalan, the latter language being aided by her relationship with her ex-husband Gerard Piqué.
In 2007, she successfully completed her degree in Western Civilization History, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, she dedicated her time to pursue a course in Ancient Philosophy at the University of Pennsylvania. At the age of 46, the multi-talented artist from Barranquilla has ventured into the world of entrepreneurship, involving herself in a diverse array of businesses spanning from fragrances, lingerie, and toys to wholesome snacks, restaurants, and real estate.
FIFA World Cup & Super Bowl
She has graced three FIFA World Cup events: Germany (2006), South Africa (2010), and Brazil (2014). Additionally, she took center stage during the halftime show at the 2020 Super Bowl, alongside Jennifer Lopez.
In summary, Shakira is not just an exceptional singer, dancer, entrepreneur, and mother, she is a true icon. With an illustrious list of accomplishments, she unquestionably deserves a day dedicated to celebrating her immense influence and success.
Original article by Fabiola Meneses Elizalde for LOS40.