Shakira is a Colombian singer, songwriter, dancer, and philanthropist who rose to prominence in the late 1990s with her unique blend of pop, rock, and Latin influences. Born Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll on February 2, 1977, in Barranquilla, Colombia, she began her musical career at a young age, releasing her debut album “Magia” in 1990 at the age of 13.