Finding success both in Latin America as well as the United States, Shakira has set a precedent for international pop stars, as well as for pop in general. She's proven that you don't have to remain on the Spanish language charts to be a sensation, as well as that a female artist need not sacrifice creative integrity to preserve her sexual charisma, or vice versa.Born Shakira Mebarak in Baranquilla, Colombia, she was not well off growing up. But being poor didn't keep her from dreaming big, and from an early age she began playing her own songs and looking to the classic and alternative rock of the United States as an influence. As a teen, she secured a record deal, which didn't break down any doors internationally, but did increase her exposure in Colombia. Acting on a daytime soap opera and the massive hit single "Estoy Aqui" made her a national sensation, and her album sales began to pick up dramatically. It would also open her up to the American market, where "Estoy Aqui" rose to number two on Billboard's Hot Latin Tracks chart.In 2000, her danceclub-rock song "Ojos Asi" was performed live on MTV Unplugged, bringing her music to a mass audience. Shakira was bundled with Ricky Martin, Enrique Iglesias and Christina Aguilera as part of a new group of Latin artists. MTV's Latin focus was a fad, in the end, but Shakira went on to produce several successful records that celebrated her Latin roots. In 2001, she released Laundry Service, and the single "Whenever, Wherever." "Hips Don't Lie," a bonus track that paired Shakira with Wyclef Jean, was a radio sensation, topping multiple Billboard charts.
