Shakira

A young singer from Colombia, Shakira Mebarak, became the best-sold Latin artist of all time first with Donde Estan los Ladrones? (1998) and then with Laundry Service (2001), that sold more than ten million copies worldwide, both characterized by a sprightly fusion of Latin, Arab and rock music, as well as by her guttural singing. The stylistic melange progressed from the relatively earthly Whenever Wherever (2001) to La Tortura (2005), the single that popularized reggaeton to the world, to the sophisticated rhythmic collage of Hips Don't Lie (2006).

She Wolf (2009) wandered through a vast stylistic landscape that represented the state of the art in dancefloor production (least worse perhaps is Good Stuff). Sale el Sol (2010) was largely unnoticed. Shakira (2014) and El Dorado (2017), where she tried reggaeton with Chantaje, were desperate attempt to still sound relevant.

After a hiatus of seven years, Shakira returned with Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran (2024). The new hit was TQG, a reggaeton duet with the Colombian rapper Karol G.