Shakira is a Colombian singer, songwriter and performer known for blending Latin pop, rock, and dance rhythms with elements of Middle Eastern and world music. Emerging in the early 1990s as a recording artist in Colombia and achieving international breakthrough in the late 1990s and early 2000s, she is recognized for her distinctive contralto voice, emotive songwriting, and dynamic stage presence that often incorporates dance, particularly belly-dance–inspired movements. Her repertoire spans Spanish- and English-language recordings, ranging from pop ballads to up-tempo dance tracks, and she has collaborated across genres while maintaining a strong Latin music identity.