Columbian popstar Shakira was jubilant this week after reaching a massive one billion overall views on YouTube.
The singer was clearly pleased by the news as she wrote a statement on her website: “Thank you all for this magnificent news. A billion views!! Incredible! I’m celebrating!! I’m really happy to hear the news. One billion views around the world is an unthinkable number and more than I could ever have dreamed of.”
Shakira is the third musician to have ever crossed the ten-figure mark: Lady Gaga was the first to achieve it in October last year, followed closely by teen singer Justin Bieber. The “Hips Don’t Lie” star announced a special campaign on her website to celebrate the news, where fans have been encouraged to vote for their favourite video. Shakira has promised to record a special audio commentary for the winning choice which will be available to view on YouTube.
Shakira has sold more than 60 million records worldwide to date, recording both in her native Spanish and English. According to Entertainment Weekly, her 2006 single “Hips Don’t Lie” was the most-streamed track of the noughties. The singer was helped to the one billion mark by the success of her 2010 World Cup anthem “Waka Waka”, which has to date received 288 million views online. You can view (the stunning) Shakira in the official World Cup video below: