Why Shakira’s Album Was Pulled Last-Minute—All for “Hips Don’t Lie”

Sometimes, the best hits almost never make it to the stage. That was nearly the case with Shakira’s global smash “Hips Don’t Lie.” Believe it or not, her record label initially released the album Oral Fixation Vol. 2 in 2005 without the now-iconic reggaeton-pop fusion that would define a generation. But fate—and a beat that couldn’t be ignored—had other plans.

Oral Fixation Vol. 2, the English-language follow-up to her Spanish album Fijación Oral Vol. 1, underperformed compared to expectations. While it featured strong tracks like “Don’t Bother,” it lacked the instant chart dominance of Shakira’s earlier hits. Enter Wyclef Jean and a last-minute collaboration that changed everything.

When Shakira and Wyclef recorded “Hips Don’t Lie,” the chemistry was undeniable. The track blended Latin pop, hip-hop, and dancehall energy in a way that was fresh, fun, and impossible to sit still through. The label quickly recognized the magic—and made the bold decision to pull the album from stores, repackage it, and re-release it in 2006 with the new single.

The gamble paid off. “Hips Don’t Lie” became Shakira’s first No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped charts around the globe. It catapulted Oral Fixation Vol. 2 into platinum territory and secured Shakira’s place as a true international superstar.

Today, “Hips Don’t Lie” remains one of the best-selling singles of the 21st century and a must-play on Radio 854 whenever we’re spinning iconic pop and dance hits. Not bad for a song that nearly missed the cut.

Got a favorite Shakira memory or a song you want to hear? Let us know—because at Radio 854, your hips (and requests) don’t lie.

Newsdesk