2001–2004

In 2001, upon the success of ?D?nde Est?n Los Ladrones? and MTV Unplugged, Shakira began working on a crossover album to English. Collaborating with Gloria Estefan, she wrote and recorded English versions of the tracks from ?D?nde Est?n Los Ladrones?. However, she later decided against using translations of older songs for the album and worked for over a year on new material for the album. The result was Laundry Service. Although it was created with the intent of selling to an English language market, the rock and Spanish dance-influenced album also featured four Spanish songs, including Que Me Quedes T? (As Long as You Stay with Me). Some critics claimed that Shakira's English skills were too weak for her to write in it. The album and its singles helped to establish Shakira's musical presence in the mainstream North American market.

Audio samples:
Whenever, Wherever (2001)

The sixth most succesful track of the top ten of the most successful singles since 1999 (United World Chart).
Underneath Your Clothes (2001)

The second single from Shakira's debut English album Laundry Service and number one in several countries.

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In 2002, Shakira also released her Spanish greatest hits volume Grandes ?xitos. A DVD and ten-track compilation album, called Live & Off the Record, was also released in 2004, reaching sales of 3 million CDs worldwide, and commemorating Shakira's world tour, the Tour of the Mongoose.

In September 2002, Shakira won the now-defunct International Viewer's Choice Award at the MTV Video Music Awards with Suerte. In October of that year, she won 5 MTV Video Music Awards Latin America for Best Female Artist, Best Pop Artist, Best Artist—North (Region), Video of the Year (for Suerte), and Artist of the Year. At Aerosmith's MTV Icon in 2002, Shakira performed Dude (Looks Like A Lady). Also in 2002, Shakira joined the likes of Celine Dion, Anastacia, Cher and the Dixie Chicks for VH1 Divas Live Las Vegas.