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Billboard’s Greatest Pop Stars of the 21st Century: No. 17 — Shakira


Shakira is one of our greatest pop stars of the 21st century due to how she brought Latin pop global over two and a half decades of excellence.

In the peak teen-pop era of TRL, Shakira distinctively carved out her niche as an alternative-leaning pop artist — complete with dirty blonde hair with occasional black streaks and braids, and a hippie-rocker look. Yet, there was perhaps no greater proof that Latin music cemented its place in American pop culture in the 2020 Super Bowl LIV halftime show, when Shakira and Jennifer Lopez took the world’s biggest stage together on February 2. Charting a path that brought Latin rhythms into mainstream global consciousness, her countless hits and charismatic stage presence have not only defined her career but also substantially influenced the current musical landscape.

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