SEXY! SULTRY! SHAKIRA!

The singer returns to her luscious Latin roots

The Colombian, belly-dancing, vocally unique Shakira has re-emerged onto the music scene from a seemingly endless hiatus–marriage and babies kept her occupied. We can remember like it was yesterday when she dropped her English (language) debut single, “Whenever, Wherever” in 2002; “Hips Don’t Lie,” featuring Wycelf Jean in 2005; and “Beautiful Liar” with Beyonce in 2007.

Shakira’s sound is tinged with Arabic— characteristic of her father’s Lebanese background—Latin, pop and rock music. “I am a fusion,” she has said. “That’s my persona. I’m a fusion between black and white, between pop and rock, between cultures – between my Lebanese father and my mother’s Spanish blood, the Colombian folklore and Arab dance I love and American music.” Adored world-wide, she has earned hundreds of international awards, including 2 Grammys and 12 Latin Grammys.

Finally (!) Shakira is back with a new record, El Dorado. On it, she returns to her native roots, allowing us to see and feel what she refers to as “the Colombian experience typically not imagined by many people.” She collaborates with other Colombian artists and sings in her native language. “La Bicicleta,” a feel-good song with Colombian singer/songwriter Carlos Vives, gives us a glimpse of where she calls home.

Her new album is dedicated to her true love, husband and father of her children, Spanish football player Gerard Pique. She also hopes to share her music with her children and take them on her next tour.