22
Pop sensation Shakira is opening up about a career watershed moment that practically never occurred. During an honest interview on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon on Thursday, May 8, the global superstar shared the dramatic backstory surrounding her hit “Hips Don’t Lie.” The chart leader, released in 2006, was among the longest-lasting songs of the early 2000s. As Shakira explained, it took determination and trust in her instincts to get the song out at all.
It was more than a catchy song, though. “Hips Don’t Lie” redefined Shakira’s career and solidified her as an international pop force to be reckoned with. With over 2 billion streams on Spotify and a legacy that still endures almost two decades later, the song’s influence is undeniable. But few fans had any idea until now just how much of a struggle it was to get it into the world.
Shakira’s Album Was Already Out When Inspiration Hit with Wyclef Jean
Shakira began by setting the scene. Her English 2005 album Oral Fixation, Vol. 2, was already complete, printed, and shipped to record stores around the globe. The album, intended to capitalize on her earlier success in America with Laundry Service, had been promoted and released in its entirety. Subsequently, in a fortuitous convergence of events, creative sparks flew upon meeting Haitian rapper and producer Wyclef Jean.
“My album was already distributed, and then this idea came up, and Wyclef and I met and started working on this track,” Shakira told Fallon, speaking of what would soon become “Hips Don’t Lie.” “I knew I had a hit.”
She was certain that this album-recorded song could achieve massive success. But because the album had already been released, adding the track seemed almost impossible.
Shakira Beggars Sony Executives to Relaunch the Album at a Cost
Acting on her gut, Shakira made a drastic move. She placed an emergency call to Donny Ienner, the head of Sony Music at the time. She asked him to withdraw the album from retailers, a nearly unheard-of and costly procedure, so that it could be re-released with the new song.
“I said, ‘Donny, you have to pick up the album from the stores,’” she recalled. “He said, ‘No way. This album is already out.’”
But Shakira did not let go. She was so sure of the song that she begged the executive to believe in her.
“I said, ‘You gotta believe me. You gotta trust me. You do that, we have a hit.’”
Against all odds, Ienner agreed. The album was pulled, rearranged, and rereleased with “Hips Don’t Lie” added. The gamble was astronomical, but the payoff was even bigger.
“Hips Don’t Lie” Transforms into a Worldwide Sensation That Redefines Pop Culture
Following its release in early 2006, “Hips Don’t Lie” quickly topped the charts. It entered the Billboard Hot 100 chart before peaking at Number One. It was Shakira’s first US chart-topper and went on to dominate the airwaves globally.
With its catchy combination of Latin rhythms, hip-hop swagger, and Wyclef Jean’s irresistible charm, the song resonated with people from all walks of life. It reached the top of the charts in more than 55 countries and emerged as one of the best-selling singles of the 21st century.
The song’s influence extended far beyond the charts. From its catchy horn riff to Shakira’s signature hip-shaking dance, “Hips Don’t Lie” was an anthem that defined an era and brought global cultures together through music.
A Career-Changing Decision That Proved the Power of Artistic Instinct
The decision to fight for “Hips Don’t Lie” was one of Shakira’s most crucial professional decisions. The single not only revived sales of Oral Fixation, Vol. 2 but also introduced Shakira to the awareness of the remainder of the globe. It solidified her crossover into the English-language pop arena and redefined how the world viewed her as an artist.
“This song changed my life,” she told Fallon. That simple and powerful statement confirms how dramatically that one song impacted her professional life.
To follow her artistic vision, Shakira took a risk most musicians would never dare take. She moved the direction of her career to a new place and became the model for pursuing your artistic ideal and reaping unimaginable success.
The Enduring Legacy of “Hips Don’t Lie” and Its Cultural Relevance
Nearly 20 years later, “Hips Don’t Lie” is not a retro throwback. It remains one of the most streamed and iconic pop songs of all time, with more than 2 billion streams on Spotify and hundreds of applications in pop culture, sports arenas, dance videos, and viral social media challenges.
The song also set the stage for other future Latin artists who would follow and become global phenomena, proving that multilingual, cross-genre chart-toppers could be achieved globally.
It is more than a one-hit album. It symbolizes artistic bravery, cross-cultural blending, and timeless energy. Shakira’s “Hips Don’t Lie” tale proves that believing in your voice will pay off even when everything else appears to be conspiring against you.
She told Fallon, smiling in gratitude, “We repackaged the albums, and it changed my story.”