Image: [shakira] via Instagram
For nearly four decades, Shakira has grown from a Barranquilla-born breakout star into the best-selling Latin female artist of all time and one of the most influential performers in global pop. As she celebrates her 49th birthday, it feels like the perfect moment to revisit her biggest hits and the impact she made on the international music scene, opening doors for countless Latin artists who followed.
Shakira’s most popular songs
1. ‘Whenever, Wherever’
You have to love this global Shakira hit for the lyrics alone. The Latin rhythms with the charango and panpipes give the song its color and character. However, the real magic lies in her honesty, especially the iconic line, “Lucky that my breasts are small and humble / So you don’t confuse them with mountains.” It is playful, vibrant, bold, and completely unforgettable in the best way.
2. ‘PerroFiel feat. Nicky Jam
Shakira teams up with Puerto Rican star Nicky Jam on PerroFiel from her 11th studio album, El Dorado, which she calls a tribute to Colombia. The two trade verses are packed with devotion and desire, giving the track its playful chemistry. The video leans fully into fantasy with wolves, gold body paint, and torque racing energy, because subtlety was never the goal here. It works perfectly for the vibe!
3. ‘Hips Don’t Lie feat. Wyclef Jean’
Another genre-blending classic is ‘Hips Don’t Lie’. The song pulls together hip hop, Latin, and reggae influences while Shakira and Wyclef Jean trade moments that feel effortless and electric. The track ruled the Billboard Hot 100 for weeks in 2006 and came with a video that basically stopped the internet before that was even a thing. Shakira’s moves alone gave the world something to talk about, and honestly, still do.
4. ‘Chantaje feat. Maluma’
High school Spanish will not get you far with the flirty back and forth between Shakira and Colombian star Maluma. But honestly, it does not need to. Their chemistry carries everything. ‘Chantaje’ was the 2016 reggae-flavored hit that topped Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart. It literally means Blackmail, but the real story lives in the swagger and effortless seduction they bring.
5. ‘Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)’
Every four years, the World Cup takes over sports, and its anthem takes over everything else. One of the greatest to ever do it is ‘Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)’. Billboard called it the most successful World Cup anthem ever and crowned Shakira the queen of the tournament. Honestly, it is the kind of song that still feels massive the second it starts playing.
Shakira’s contribution to the music industry
Shakira helped bring Latin pop into the global mainstream with her breakout album ‘Laundry Service’ in 2001. She set the stage for a crossover moment that reshaped pop music. Five years later, ‘Hips Don’t Lie’ shattered records as the most played pop song in a single week, confirming what fans already knew. She was not slowing down anytime soon. From the beginning, her performances and lyrics have centered on confidence and independence, celebrating female strength, perfectly reflecting what she stands for. After her international debut blew up, Shakira became a Latin sensation, and her rock girl image sparked a trend among young Latinas everywhere.
Now at 47, Shakira continues to lead by example. She is balancing motherhood with a career that never stops evolving. Her twelfth studio album, ‘Las MujeresYa No Lloran’, which translates to Women No Longer Cry. the album was both a personal statement and a cultural moment, reminding women everywhere to own their stories and move forward on their own terms.
Follow Shakira on : Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Check out For More News Updates on Google News.
