©Photo Credit: AFP
The city of Barranquilla, nestled along Colombia's Caribbean coast, proudly unveiled a 6.5-meter (21.3-foot) statue on Tuesday, December 26, in homage to its beloved native daughter, renowned Colombian superstar Shakira. This towering masterpiece, crafted from bronze and aluminum, captures the essence of the singer's iconic stage presence, depicting her clad in a bikini top, baring her midriff and adorned in a flowing skirt.
With hands gracefully clasped above her head and one hip provocatively jutting out, Shakira’s sculpture immortalizes one of her signature dance moves. An inscription adorns the base of the statue, proclaiming, "Hips that do not lie, a unique talent, a voice that moves masses." These words serve as a fitting tribute to Shakira, whose song Hips Don't Lie remains one of her 46-year-old musical career's most celebrated hits. In a touching ceremony along the banks of the majestic Magdalena River, the artist's parents, William Mebarak and Nidia Ripoll, joined the festivities. Up on the platform, Shakira herself expressed her gratitude, extending appreciation to the sculptor, Yino Marquez, and his dedicated team of art students. She referred to the statue as "an exemplary manifestation of the immense artistic prowess that thrives within my homeland."
Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll, an enduring symbol of female empowerment in the Latina community, has achieved remarkable success throughout her career. Her musical legacy boasts a staggering 80 million albums sold worldwide, along with the prestigious honor of three Grammy awards. In recent times, however, her name has surfaced in different contexts, most notably in connection with tax-related issues in Spain, where investigations into unpaid taxes and substantial settlements have garnered attention.
The year 2021 witnessed Shakira's inclusion in the Pandora Papers, a leak that unveiled the financial wealth and tax avoidance strategies employed by global elites. Despite these controversies, the artist remains a force in the music industry. In a testament to her enduring popularity, she released a chart-topping hit in collaboration with Argentine DJ Bizarrap. This song has garnered a staggering 666 million views on YouTube and earned the coveted title of Song of the Year at the 2023 Latin Grammy Awards.
With AFP
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