Shakira Is the Hottest Colombia Export Since Cocaine and Facelifts

​Without question, Shakira is Colombia's hottest export since blow and plastic surgery. (Oddly, she doesn't indulge in either.) Now in the business of donning belly shirts and shaking her money maker, the blonde beauty has certainly come a long way from the quiet, dark-haired quasi-hippie on Piez Dezcalsos or the dreadlocked singer-songwriter on Donde Estan Los Ladrones.

Not that there's anything wrong with those early incarnations. Even in the very beginning, Shakira showed exceptional talent as both a composer and a performer.

But let's face it, en Barranquilla se baila asi! And she's become a household name everywhere from South America to Senegal, amassed millions of sales worldwide, racked up more Grammys and other awards than anyone cares to count, and established a very successful charitable foundation, Piez Descalzos (Barefoot Foundation), dedicated to providing children with access to education. It's been 16 years since we first met Shakira. And this week, she'll give SoFla fans not one but two chances to catch her live.

Saturday, September 25, at the BankAtlantic Center, One Panther Pkwy., Sunrise. Monday, September 27, at American Airlines Arena, 601 Biscayne Blvd., Miami. The show starts at 8 p.m. both nights and tickets cost $13.90 to $167.85 in advance via ticketmaster.com.