I Love Shakira And So Should You (ee1)

   I can remember the first time I ever heard Shakira Mebarak Ripoll. I was roughly six years old, with my sister, listening to a track off of her 2001 English language crossover album "Laundry Service" called "Underneath Your Clothes" (it's a ballad folks, get that idea out of your head.) I remember wondering why this woman with a funny voice was of any interest to my sister. Still, I was hooked. I remember watching the behind-the-scenes MTV video about the making of the music video for "Objection: Tango". Shakira faded in and out of my life with her top hits, but with recent interest in Spanish culture (especially music), I inevitably found myself addicted to this sparky Colombian.
    Shakira, born in Colombia to a Spanish mother and Lebanese American father, knew since about age six that she was going to perform. Despite mild success in Latin America, she didn't catch much U.S. attention until her fifth album, "Laundry Service". Since then, you may have heard such singles as "Hips Don't Lie", She Wolf", or "Empire", or seen her on numerous televised concerts and award shows (The Voice, anyone?)  Her accent and famous hips may be what you only know, but there is so much more.
   For instance, Shakira's music is always a blend. Leaning to rock and pop, she adds the influence of African, Arabic, and Latin or Spanish sounds and instruments, and is fond of belly dancing. Often collaborating with other artists, Shakira has written songs for film, TV, and the FIFA World Cup. She speaks fluent English, Spanish, and Portuguese (like many from the Spanish speaking world), as well as some Italian, Arabic, and others. But what is most impressive, to me at least, is her philanthropic work.
     Shakira's main cause is the use education of the world's coming generations to combat our problems.  Her organization, Piez Descalzos (meaning barefoot), was founded in Columbia in 1997 to help raise funds for schooling for children in poverty. Shakira has served on global councils for education, been invited to speak on her beliefs and efforts for this cause (recently by U.S. president Barack Obama), and works to build schools. She's been named a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador, and has received awards and honors relating to her cause, on top of the massive international success she has had. These and many other reasons (her work ethic, ability to be both a mother and performer, etc.) are why I truly admire Shakira. I hope that the world can see her more than just a hot commodity.