Three-time current Latin GRAMMY® nominee, seven-time Latin GRAMMY winner, two-time GRAMMY® winner, and international superstar and philanthropist Shakira will be the 2011 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year, it was announced today by The Latin Recording Academy® (www.latingrammy.com). Shakira, who is currently nominated for three Latin GRAMMY Awards, including Album Of The Year, will be honored for her renowned artistic and philanthropic contributions at a tribute dinner and star-studded concert on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas. Songs from Shakira’s still growing catalog will be performed by notable artists and friends of the honoree. A major portion of the net proceeds from the gala will benefit Shakira’s Pies Descalzos Foundation as well as The Latin Recording Academy’s Latin GRAMMY in the Schools educational efforts. The celebration will precede the 12th Annual Latin GRAMMY Awards, which will be held at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas and will be broadcast live on the Univision Network on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2011, at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central. For breaking news and exclusive content, join The Latin Academy’s social networks as a Twitter follower at www.twitter.com/latingrammys, and a Facebook fan at www.facebook.com/latingrammys.
“I am elated on behalf of The Latin Recording Academy and its Board of Trustees that the much admired Shakira — whose incredible talent and artistic integrity are equaled only by her commitment and dedication to philanthropy and selflessly helping those in need — has been elected the 2011 Latin Recording Academy’s Peron of the Year,” said Gabriel Abaroa Jr., President/CEO of The Latin Recording Academy. “We are honored to pay homage to this dynamic, socially conscious woman whose illustrious career has touched so many people around the world, both musically and personally.”
“It is truly an honor to be in the company of some of the greatest artists and legends of Latin Music,” said Shakira about this one-of-a-kind distinction.
Born in Colombia, Shakira showed early talent in school as a live performer, demonstrating her vocal ability already combining rock, Latin and Mediterranean influences with her own original twist on belly dancing. As a singer/songwriter, dancer, producer and musician, she emerged on the international music scene in the early ’90s. In 1996, Shakira released Pies Descalzos, featuring the hit singles “Estoy Aqui” and “Se Quiere…Se Mata” both topping the Billboard Latin Pop Airplay chart. Her next album, Dónde Están Los Ladrones? proved an even bigger success. Following was the release of her first live album in 2000, Shakira: MTV Unplugged, which spawned her first GRAMMY Award® for Best Latin Pop Album. At the inaugural Latin GRAMMY Awards ceremony in 2000, Shakira received her first two Latin GRAMMY Awards. Without skipping a beat, she released her first crossover album, Laundry Service, in 2001, which became the most successful album of her career to date. Her next, Fijacíon Oral Vol. 1, in 2005, featured the hit single “La Tortura” with singer/songwriter and musician Alejandro Sanz. The album and single earned her four Latin GRAMMY Awards. Shortly thereafter, she released Oral Fixation Vol. 2, which included the worldwide hit “Hips Don’t Lie” in collaboration with musician/producer Wyclef Jean. In 2009, she released She Wolf and quickly following on the heels of that project she released Sale e Sol in 2010. In addition to her busy recording schedule, Shakira has taken the world by storm with many successful global concert tours.
