Shakira will be the 2011 Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year, announced today by The Latin Recording Academy. She will be honored for her ‘ renowned artistic and philanthropic contributions’ at a tribute dinner and star-studded concert on Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2011, at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas, where some of her songs will be performed by notable artists and friends of the honoree.
"We are honored to pay homage to this dynamic, socially conscious woman whose illustrious career has touched so many people around the world, both musically and personally," said Gabriel Abaroa Jr., President/CEO of The Latin Recording Academy.
Shakira will have the distinction of becoming the youngest artist, at 34, to receive the Latin Recording Academy Person of the Year honoree. She joins a list of artists that includes Placido Domingo, Carlos Santana Gloria Estefan, Gilberto Gil, Julio Iglesias, and Ricky Martin, according to The Latin Recording Academy.
"It is truly an honor to be in the company of some of the greatest artists and legends of Latin Music," said Shakira in a statement released by The Latin Recording Academy.
The Colombian singer is having quite a month. Currently, she is being nominated for three Latin Grammys, one of which is Album Of The Year. The international superstar is a seven-time Latin Grammy winner and two-time Grammy winner.
She was also chosen as one of Latina magazine’s ‘15 Latinas We Love’ for their 15th anniversary issue.
And to top it off, Shakira’s Fundación Pies Descalzos (Barefoot Foundation), which helps children living in poverty receive an education, opened a sports field, Forest Of Hopes, in Colombia which will support ‘sport, recreation and academic activities’, according to the foundation. “This is a place that will unite and bring joy to this community,” said Shakira of the opening.
A major portion of the net proceeds from the gala will benefit Shakira's Pies Descalzos Foundation as well as The Latin Recording Academy's Latin GRAMMY in the Schools educational efforts.
The 12th Annual Tribute Gala Will Be Held on Nov. 9 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas as Part of This Year's Latin GRAMMY Week Celebration and will be broadcast live on the Univision Network on Thursday, Nov. 10, 2011, at 8 p.m. Eastern/7 p.m. Central.