Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, known mononymously as
Shakira, is a Colombian singer and songwriter. Born and raised in Barranquilla, she has been referred to as the "Queen of Latin Music" and has been praised for her musical versatility. She made her recording debut with Sony Music Colombia at the age of 13. Following the commercial failure of her first two albums,
Magia (1991) and
Peligro (1993), she rose to prominence in Hispanic countries with her next albums,
Pies Descalzos (1995) and
Dónde Están los Ladrones? (1998). She entered the English-language market with her fifth album,
Laundry Service (2001), which sold over 13 million copies worldwide. Buoyed by the international success of her singles "Whenever, Wherever" and "Underneath Your Clothes", the album propelled her reputation as a leading crossover artist.