Shakira was born in Barranquilla, Colombia, on February 2, 1977. She is the daughter of a Colombian mother and a Lebanese father. Shakira's love for music was evident early on, andshe wrote her first song at the age of 8. She learned belly-dancing from her Lebenese grandmother, and she used to love to perform-dancing and singing. According to one story, Shakira was kicked out of a choir because her storng voice drowned out the other singers.