Shakira To Be Awarded As Billboard's First-Ever 'Latin Woman Of The Year'

The first-ever Mujeres Latinas en la Msica, or Latin Women in Music, gala will recognize international superstar Shakira as Billboard's Woman of the Year. The two-hour music special will be honoring Latin women in music and will be taped at the Watsco Center in Miami on May 6 and will appear exclusively on Telemundo on May 7 at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT.

It will be hosted by Ivy Queen and Jacqueline Bracamontes.

Mujeres Latinas en la Msica, a first of its kind for Latin music, honors Latin female musicians, executives, and creators who are actively promoting positive change, inclusion, and gender equity in the music business.

The inaugural event hosted by Billboard in partnership with Telemundo will also feature special honors for superstars Ana Gabriel, Emilia, Evaluna, Goyo, and Thalia.

The recognition for Shakira follows a remarkable year in which the singer broke all previous records with the biggest Spanish-language launch of 2022 ("Monotona" with Ozuna).

Then, in Jan. 2023, her "Shakira: BZRP Music Sessions #53" made its Billboard Hot 100 chart debut at No. 9, making her the first woman to do so with a Spanish-language song.

"Sessions" also made history as the most-streamed Latin track in 24 hours in Spotify history and the most-viewed Latin track on YouTube in 24 hours with over 63 million views, and it broke 14 Guinness World Records, Billboard reported.

"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.

"Shakira has been pivotal in shaping the vibrant and diverse landscape of Latin music and music in general throughout her career. Her passion, talent, and creativity have broken barriers and empowered generations to embrace our identity through music, and we are incredibly proud to recognize her as Woman of the Year in the industry," said Ronald Day, president of entertainment and content strategy for Telemundo.

One of the most successful musicians of all time and the best-selling female Latin singer of all time, Shakira has sold more than 95 million records worldwide.

Her popularity as a crossover artist on a worldwide scale made it possible for other Latin artists to break into foreign markets.

With over 20 billion cumulative views, she is the most-watched Latina artist of all time on YouTube, in the top 10 artists of all time, and the most-streamed Latina musician ever on Spotify.

In addition to her many achievements in the music industry, Shakira founded the Pies Descalzos Foundation at the age of 18; it has since built and renovated nine public schools in Cartagena, Barranquilla, Guajira, and Quibdó, with a further six still under construction.

Since its founding, the organization has raised over $40 million and helped more than 150,000 children and almost 900,000 families.

Shakira will join the list of influential women who are reshaping the music business that was previously revealed.

The Living Legend Award will be given to Ana Gabriel, while the Rising Star Award will go to Emilia, the Tradition and Future Award will go to Evaluna, the Agent of Change Award will go to Goyo, and the Global Powerhouse Award will go to Thalia.

In the upcoming weeks, more details about Billboard Mujeres Latinas en la Msica, including artists and presenters, will be released.

Tickets for the live performance of Billboard Mujeres Latinas en la Msica on May 6 in Miami are currently available.

Visit BillboardMujeresEnLaMusica.com for additional details and to make a purchase.

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