At the first-ever Mujeres Latinas en la Msica, or Latin Women in Music, event, Shakira will be named Billboard’s Woman of the Year. The two-hour music special will be taped at the Watsco Centre in Miami on May 6 and will only be shown on Telemundo on May 7 at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT. It will be led by Ivy Queen and Jacqueline Bracamontes and will honor Latin women in music.
Mujeres Latinas en la Msica is the first event of its kind for Latin music. It honors Latina artists, executives, and creatives who are working for positive change, inclusion, and equal pay in the music business. At the first event, Billboard and Telemundo will give special awards to stars like Ana Gabriel, Emilia, Evaluna, Goyo, and Thalia.
Award for “Monotona”
Shakira got this award after an amazing year in which her song “Monotona” with Ozuna was the biggest Spanish-language launch of 2022, breaking records. Then, in January 2023, her song “Shakira: BZRP Music Sessions #53” appeared at No. 9 on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart, making her the first woman to do so with a song in Spanish. “Sessions” also made history as the most-streamed Latin track on Spotify in 24 hours and the most-viewed Latin track on YouTube in 24 hours with over 63 million views. It also broke 14 Guinness World Records.
“Shakira is the best female musician ever. Latin women all over the world now have the confidence to write and perform deeply personal songs because of her. She started a movement on her own, and with grace, a long history of giving back, and a lot of skill, she is still more important than ever today. Leila Cobo, Billboard’s chief content officer for Latin/Espaol, said, “She is what it means to be a Woman in Music.”
“Throughout her career, Shakira has been a major force in making Latin music and music, in general, more colorful and varied. Ronald Day, president of entertainment and content strategy for Telemundo, said, “Her passion, talent, and creativity have broken down barriers and inspired generations to embrace who we are through music. We are so proud to honor her as Woman of the Year in the industry.”
More than 95 million songs sold
Shakira has sold more than 95 million songs all over the world. This makes her one of the best-selling music artists of all time and the best-selling female Latin artist of all time. Her success as a crossover artist around the world made it easier for other Latin artists to sell their music in other countries. She is the most-streamed Latin female artist of all time on Spotify and one of the top 10 artists of all time on YouTube, where she has more than 20 billion total views.
Shakira started the Pies Descalzos Foundation when she was 18. It has built and renovated nine public schools in Cartagena, Barranquilla, Guajira, and Quibdó, and another six are in the process of being built. Since its start, the foundation has raised more than $40 million and helped more than 150,000 children and almost 900,000 families.
Billboard’s Women in Music brand grew this year with the addition of the first Latin Women in Music event. Billboard and Telemundo want to bring Latin music to a wider audience around the world. They also want to honor the women who have made a real difference in Latin music through their art or through actions that have given women more recognition and opportunities and helped the industry as a whole.
Shakira will join the already-announced list of strong women who are changing the music business. Ana Gabriel will get the Living Legend Award, Emilia will get the Rising Star Award, Evaluna will get the Tradition and Future Award, Goyo will get the Agent of Change Award, and Thalia will get the Global Powerhouse Award. More details about Billboard Mujeres Latinas en la Msica, such as artists and hosts, will be released in the next few weeks.
