When you spread the gear gospel for a living one of the few bragging rights is “we knew him/her when.” Attending the first Latin Grammy’s, one left with the impression that if there were any justice in the music biz, the very hot—musically and otherwise—singer from Columbia with an Arabic name would cross over. “Es la verdad” as they say, “it’s the truth” now in 2006. Sex symbol stuff aside, Shakira puts on a smoking hot show with a level of musicianship one doesn’t hear offten.

Go see Shakira but don’t bother with the pocket Spanish-English dictionary if you no habla Español. If they let you bring binoculars, you’ll probably be able spot the tour’s trusty 1604 VLZ Pro mixing it up onstage.

For a nibble of Shakira's music try this iTunes cut from her newest album.