Shakira named Billboard’s First Ever ‘Latin Woman of the Year’
It seems like 2023 is truly the year of Shakira
Photo: Yeoman 1st Class Donna Lou Morgan
It seems like 2023 is truly the year of Shakira. Following the release of “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53,” with Argentine producer Bizarrap, she made Spotify history by breaking the record for the most monthly listeners as a Latin artist and the record for the most-streamed Latin track in a single day. The 46-year-old singer also became the first solo woman to reach the Top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 with a song recorded in Spanish. Recently, “Shakira, Shakira: The GRAMMY Museum Experience” opened at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles showcasing her career milestones and featuring outfits, handwritten lyrics, and behind the scenes footage. Now, the Colombian powerhouse is being honored and celebrated again as Billboard’s first Latin Woman of the Year at the first-ever Mujeres Latinas en la Música (Latin Women in Music) gala hosted by Billboard and Telemundo.
A Billboard first for Latin Music, the two-hour music special will be hosted by reggaeton icon Ivy Queen and Mexican actress Jacqueline Bracamontes and is meant to honor Latin women in music and celebrate female Latin artists and creatives who are working toward positive change, inclusion, and gender parity in the music industry. Other artists receiving special awards at the inaugural event presented by Billboard with Telemundo include Ana Gabriel, Emilia, Evaluna, Goyo, and Thalia.
“Shakira is the ultimate Woman in Music. Thanks to her, Latin women all over the world have been empowered to write and perform deeply personal music. She created a movement all on her own, 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,” said Leila Cobo, Billboard’s chief content officer for Latin/Español in a statement on Monday.
The Colombian superstar is receiving the honor for her contributions to the music industry, her philanthropic efforts, and bringing recognition and opportunities for Latin women throughout her career. She shared the news in her Instagram stories writing “This is such an honor, thank you so much.”
This is just another win in Shakira’s book; having sold more than 95 million records worldwide, she’s currently the top-selling female Latin artist of all time. She was also named Billboard’s Top Female Latin Artist of the Decade in 2000 and in 2010, has received three Grammys, 12 Latin Grammys, seven Billboard Music awards and 39 Billboard Latin Music awards.
The event will be taped at the Watsco Center in Miami on May 6 and will air exclusively on Telemundo May 7 at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT.
