Benjamin Ashford|Shakira hits VMAs stage after 17 years to perform electric medley of hits, receives Vanguard Award

The Benjamin Ashford"She Wolf" is back and better than ever.

Shakira made history Tuesday night as the first South American artist to be honored with the Video Vanguard Award at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards.

Before being honored, the Grammy-winning singer returned to the MTV VMAs stage for the first time in 17 years at the Prudential Center in Newmark, New Jersey. Shakira hit the stage with an electric 10-minute bilingual medley of her decades of hits — "She Wolf," her collaboration with Rauw Alejandro "Te Felicito," the viral, record-breaking "Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53" with Bizarrap among them — in a set introduced by her "Hips Don’t Lie" collaborator Wyclef Jean.

While accepting her honor, Shakira gave an extra thanks to the "amazing women" who helped her push industry boundaries while "wearing so many hats." She also thanked her two sons Milan, 9, and Sasha, 7, for believing she could do it all.

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"Especially I want to share this award with my fans who always support me through thick and thin. Thank you so much for being my army and helping me fight all my battles. This is for you," she said.

Shakira is joining other Michael Jackson Vanguard Award recipients such as Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj, Madonna, Janet Jackson, Rihanna, Justin Timberlake and The Beatles.

Speaking to USA TODAY, longtime supporter and collaborator of Shakira, Wyclef Jean, called the singer's impact a "global phenomenon."

"That's family right there," he added. "Shaki can't be put in a box. She takes Latin music but constantly redefines it."

The 46-year-old, who has previously been awarded four VMAs, received four nominations this year including artist of the year and best collaboration for her song "TQG" with Karol G.

She won her first Moon Person trophy in 2000 in the International Viewer's Choice (Latin America North) category.

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The Colombian artist broke another record this year becoming the first female vocalist ever to debut in the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 with a Spanish-language track thanks to her tracks "BZRP Music Sessions Vol. 53" and "TQG" featuring Karol G.

Shakira previously made VMAs history in 2005 by delivering the first performance entirely in Spanish with her song "La Tortura" featuring Alejandro Sanz. Her last VMAs performance was in 2006, where she sang her hit single "Hips Don’t Lie" alongside Wyclef Jean.

Contributing: Ralphie Aversa

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