Shakira named Billboard’s first “Latin Woman of the Year”

Records of views, sales and streams: for some time the singer Shakira it is “the moment”. For all the achievements of this period, she will receive the title of “Woman of the Year” by Billboard during the first edition of “Latina Women in Music”, an expansion of the “Women in Music” awards.

In partnership with the Latin broadcaster Telemundo, Billboard, a weekly US magazine specializing in the music industry, intends to elevate Latin music in the world. According to the article published on the magazine’s website this Monday (24), the publication wants to “celebrate women who have made a solid impact on Latin music through their artistic achievements or tangible and remarkable actions that brought recognition and opportunity to other women , producing positive changes in the industry as a whole”.

Also according to Billboard, Shakira will be recognized for the records during 2022 and early 2023. Last year, the artist had the biggest debut of a song in Spanish (“Monotonía”, with the Puerto Rican Ozuna). In January of that year, the Colombian was the first woman to enter the Top 10 of the Hot 100 Billboard, in 9th place, with the song “Shakira: BZRP Music Sessions #53“.

The same song also made history by being the most streamed track in 24 hours in the history of Spotify and the most viewed Latin track on YouTube in the same period, surpassing the mark of 63 million views, in addition to breaking 14 Guinness records.

“Shakira is the best woman in music. Thanks to her, Latina women around the world have been empowered to write and perform deeply personal music,” wrote Leila Cobo, Chief Content Officer for Billboard Latin. “She created a movement in her own right and continues to be more relevant than ever today, with grace, a deep tradition of giving back, and enormous talent. She is the definition of a woman in music,” she concluded.

In addition to praising her musical contributions, Billboard also highlighted the creation of the Pies Descalzos Foundation when Shakira was 18 years old.

The institution built and adapted nine public schools in the Colombian cities of Cartagena, Barranquilla, Guajura and Quibdó, in addition to another six under construction. The foundation has raised more than $40 million since its inception and has impacted more than 15,000 children and 900,000 families, says the magazine.

The event takes place in Miami, USA, on May 7th, and will be broadcast on Telemundo on the 8th. In addition to Shakira, other Latin women will be recognized for their trajectory, such as Ana Gabriel, who will receive the Lenda Viva Award; Thalia, with Global Powerhouse; Goyo, with the Agent of Change award; and Emilia and Evaluna, who will be recognized with the Star on the Rise and the Tradition and Future Award, respectively.

“Women Latinas in Music” will also disclose the names of presenters and musical attractions in the coming weeks.