Shakira delivered a triumphant 10-minute medley performance of her greatest hits during the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards. 

The performer made history on Tuesday (September 12) night as the first-ever South American artist to receive MTV’s Video Vanguard Award and took to the stage with a showcase of her decades-spanning catalogue. 

Launching with She Wolf and featuring hits such as Whenever, Wherever, Objection, Hips Don’t Lie and more, the set saw Shakira show off her guitar skills before diving off stage and crowd surfing. 

Check out the full performance below. 

Wyclef Jean presented Shakira with the honour, calling her a “musical genius” before she received the trophy and thanked MTV “for being such a big part of my career since I was only 18 years old.”

“I want to thank people who have played a key role in my visual history,” she continued. “Friends, very dear friends, and creative partners, who I simply can’t live without.” 

While shouting out her label “for always supporting my vision” and the “amazing women who work with me” and “always help me to push through all my challenges while wearing so many hats”, Shakira also have a special mention to her family for “cheering me up and for making me feel that mama can do it all”. 

Dedicating the prize to her fans, who “always support me through thick and thin”, she concluded: “Thank you so much for being my army and helping me fight all my battles.”

Watch Shakira’s MTV Video Vanguard Award acceptance speech below.