Shakira

Pop singer Shakira hails from Colombia and is one of the most successful Latin American crossover artists to date, known (and sometimes hated) for her wavery voice. Initially a pop-rock singer - a kind of Spanish-language version of Alanis Morissette -  she was taken up by Sony Records in 2000 to produce an English-language album.

The result - Laundry Service, or Servicio de Lavanderia - became a global phenomenon, particularly thanks to number one hit 'Whenever, Wherever' (in Spanish, 'Suerte'). She won over the mainstream English-language market while still pleasing her original fans - no small feat.

Sure, in the process she adopted a 'sexier', more glammed-up (and blonder) image, but she's never ceased to be involved in the creative process. She infamously took intensive English lessons so she could pen her own lyrics (many of which have thereafter been mocked - but hey, what's a little linguistic liberty).

Shakira is pretty much a fixture on the international music scene now, and a new album is set for release in late 2009.

Web

• Homepage
• myspace