Shakira Zooms Through Hits-Filled Set for Video Vanguard Honors at VMAs

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Grammy-winning artist Shakira paid tribute to her decades-long globally successful career with a hits-filled, 10-minute performance for the MTV Video Music Awards on Tuesday night.

Shakira kicked things off with “She Wolf,” incorporating the eye-popping choreography featured in the song’s iconic 2009 music video. She then rapidly transitioned into her and Rauw Alejandro’s “Te Felicito,” and followed up with her and Karol G’s “TQG.”

She also returned to her early roots by singing and belly dancing through “Objection,” “Whenever, Wherever,” and “Hips Don’t Lie.” While singing “BZRP Music Sessions #53,” Shakira crowd surfed through the audience where a fan was proudly holding a Colombian flag in her honor.

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After wrapping up her performance, the singer returned to accept the Michael Jackson Video Vanguard award from Wyclef Jean. Shakira thanked her family and creative partners and especially thanked her “army” of fans.

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Shakira is the first South American artist to receive MTV’s Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award which has previously been bestowed to artists including Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, Madonna, Janet Jackson, LL Cool J, Jennifer Lopez, Rihanna, Justin Timberlake and Missy Elliott.

“Shakira is a true global force who continues to inspire & influence the masses with her unique, musical prowess. She’s a trailblazer for women around the world & one of the first artists to lead the globalization of Latin music,” Bruce Gillmer — president of music, music talent, programming and events, for Paramount — said in a previous statement. “Her massive impact across the musical landscape will be long-lasting as she continues to create and entertain at the highest level.”

This year has been a big one for Shakira who netted numerous a pair of chart-topping collaborations including “Monotonía” with Ozuna, “BZRP Music Sessions #53,” with Argentine product Bizarrap, “TGQ” with Karol and “Copa Vacía” with Manuel Turizo.

Shakira was nominated for four other awards at the ceremony on Tuesday: artist of the year, best collaboration for “TQG” with Karol, and well as best Latin video for both “TQG” and “Acróstico.”

Shakira won her first Moon Person in 2000 for international viewer’s choice (Latin America North) for the 1998 single “Ojos Así,” off her album “Dónde Están los Ladrones?” She won again in the same category in 2002 for “Whenever, Wherever/Suerte,” and also won best choreography in a video for “Hips Don’t Lie.”

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