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