Shakira to be named Latin Grammy Person of the Year
- Published
Shakira's 2002 single Whenever, Wherever helped her achieve worldwide fame
Colombian singer Shakira will receive the Recording Academy person of the year at the Latin Grammys in November.
The Hips Don't Lie singer is to be honoured for her philanthropic contributions as well as her successful recording career.
Recording Academy president Gabriel Abaroa Jr said the organisation was honoured to pay tribute to such a "dynamic, socially conscious woman".
The tribute gala will be held a day before the annual awards show.
Shakira, is also up for three Grammys, including album of the year.
The 34-year-old star is the youngest person to receive the tribute. Previous recipients include Placido Domingo, Carlos Santana, Gloria Estefan, Julio Iglesias and Ricky Martin.
In a statement, the singer said receiving the award was "truly an honour".
Shakira rose to fame in the early 1990s, but it was not until the release of her 2002 single Whenever, Wherever that she achieved worldwide success.
Her 2009 album She Wolf has sold more than two million copies worldwide and she recorded Fifa's official song for the 2010 World Cup.
Her philanthropic efforts began at the age of 18, when she founded a charity aimed at supporting the academic needs of underprivileged children. She is also a global ambassador for Unicef.
The Latin Grammys will take place on 10 November at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.