Shakira on groundbreaking Rock Hall nomination: ‘A highlight of my life’

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For many Latina women who grew up after 1995, Shakira showed us how to play guitar and how to confidently take up space. I remember seeing her in the “Inevitable” video in 1998 – she was headbanging with such joy that her long hair flew around like a burst of energy. That’s when I realized, even as a woman, I could be free to express myself and truly rock out.

Shakira, the internationally renowned singer from Colombia, became known for her music that connected people across cultures, with hits like “Whenever, Wherever” and “Hips Don’t Lie.” So, when the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame announced her nomination for induction in 2026, it seemed fitting to honor her impact on popular music.

As a huge music fan, I’m really excited about Shakira’s Rock & Roll Hall of Fame nomination! She’s going up against some legends – Phil Collins, Melissa Etheridge, Mariah Carey, Lauryn Hill, even Wu-Tang Clan! Some people might see her as an unexpected choice, but honestly, the woman is loaded with accolades. We’re talking around 455 awards total, including four Grammys, an incredible 15 Latin Grammys (they even named her Person of the Year back in 2009!), and the MTV Video Vanguard Award just last year. She definitely deserves to be in the conversation.

“Wow, you counted?” she said to De Los over the phone. “I had no idea!”

Music

This year’s nominees for the Class of 2026 include Lauryn Hill, Melissa Etheridge, New Edition, and the late Jeff Buckley.

Before becoming famous, Shakira grew up in Barranquilla, Colombia. She remembers waiting in line at a record store to buy Nirvana’s album, “Nevermind” – it was the first rock album she ever owned. That same year, at just a teenager, she signed with Sony Music Colombia and released her first album, a collection of Latin pop songs called “Magia.”

Although many expected Shakira to become a typical pop star, she was actually writing poetry and listening to classic rock bands like Led Zeppelin, the Rolling Stones, Depeche Mode, and Tom Petty – artists she still loves to listen to while driving, she says.

She remembers that in the 1990s, there weren’t many women in the Latin American rock scene. When she started out, the music world was very different – there was a lot of bias. In Colombia especially, most music was tropical, and pop or rock weren’t very common.

Shakira was a pioneer for women in Latin rock, first gaining recognition with her deeply personal 1995 album, “Pies Descalzos.” She continued her success with 1998’s “Dónde Están los Ladrones?”, an album that featured louder sounds and explored her Lebanese roots, notably in the song “Ojos Así,” which blended Spanish and Arabic influences.

Shakira famously learned English by listening to Gloria Estefan, which helped her create her 2001 album, “Laundry Service.” This album became a huge success, making her the best-selling female Latin artist at the time and launching her international career. She gradually introduced Spanish-language music to American radio with the 2005 hit “Hips Don’t Lie,” and then more directly with the reggaeton song “La Tortura,” featuring Alejandro Sanz.

Shakira remembers it was difficult to get her Spanish-language songs played on American radio. She believes things have improved greatly for Latin artists. For many years – even as recently as ten years ago – artists like her had to fight to be heard and taken seriously.

Shakira’s passion for learning fueled her creativity, leading her to explore different languages, musical styles, and instruments. She experimented with dance-pop, as seen in her song “She Wolf,” and even incorporated the African Fang language into her upbeat FIFA World Cup anthem, “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa),” which blended champeta and soca rhythms. Known for her energetic performances, including her memorable 2020 Super Bowl halftime show with Jennifer Lopez, Shakira often takes center stage with the drums and Afro-Caribbean percussion.

If Shakira is chosen for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, she would make history as the first artist from Latin America to receive the honor. While Joan Baez and Linda Ronstadt, both of Mexican American heritage, have also been inducted, they were born in the United States.

She expressed how honored she was to be included with such talented and influential artists who had shaped her career, calling the experience a major life highlight.

Each year, the Rock Hall can induct up to seven artists, but they must have released their first recording at least 25 years prior. A panel of over 1,200 music experts – including musicians, critics, and industry professionals – chooses the inductees. Fans also get a say, as their daily online votes contribute to one ballot each for the top five to seven vote-getters.

We’ll find out who’s being inducted into the 2026 class in April, along with the recipients of awards recognizing musical influence, excellence, and those who’ve made significant contributions to music outside of performing.

Shakira says she still connects with the feeling of being a young girl, playing guitar and writing songs in her bedroom in Barranquilla.

I feel like I’m on the verge of something new creatively. I enjoy experimenting with different musical styles and blending genres, but at my core, I’ll always be a rock songwriter. It’s simply a fundamental part of my identity as an artist.

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2026-03-18 20:01