Zoo

Album: Zootopia 2 (2025)
Charted: 42
Play Video

Songfacts®:

  • "Zoo" is Shakira's second foray into the animated wilds of Zootopia. Written for Zootopia 2 (released November 2025), the track is a fizzy, drum-thumping celebration anthem that encourages us to let loose and celebrate.
  • Shakira again plays Gazelle, Zootopia's preeminent celebrity mammal, a sort of Beyoncé-with-hooves figure. For this sequel, she wrote "Zoo" with Ed Sheeran and producer Blake Slatkin, the latter fresh from sculpting Sheeran's Play era, including "Old Phone" and "A Little More."
  • For Zootopia 2, Shakira asked Ed Sheeran to co-write a song for her character. He ended up with a bonus gift: a tiny voice role as a sheep named "Ed Shearin." Sheeran's kids love Zootopia, so for him, appearing in it was "a buzz."
  • Sheeran told Jimmy Fallon he has worked with Shakira multiple times over the years, with most songs never seeing the light of day. The Zootopia 2 track was the first to make it out of the vault.
  • The "Zoo" video was directed by Hannah Lux Davis and blends live-action Shakira with her animated counterparts, a sort of nature documentary where the wildlife has impeccable rhythm. Scenes hop from the sparkling Zootenial Gala (the city's 100th anniversary bash) to the Zootropolis Express, and a clifftop setting.
  • "Zoo" marks Shakira's second original song for the Zootopia franchise. Her first contribution was "Try Everything" (2016) for the original Zootopia film, an inspirational ballad about resilience. "Zoo" takes a more celebratory and fun-focused approach to entertainment. It's Shakira in full carnival mode: less introspection, more invitation.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Andrew Farriss of INXS

Andrew Farriss of INXSSongwriter Interviews

Andrew Farriss on writing with Michael Hutchence, the stories behind "Mystify" and other INXS hits, and his country-flavored debut solo album.

Jethro Tull

Jethro TullFact or Fiction

Stage urinals, flute devices, and the real Aqualung in this Fact or Fiction.

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino Edition

Songs in Famous Movie Scenes: Tarantino EditionMusic Quiz

Whether he's splitting ears or burning Nazis, Quentin Tarantino uses memorable music in his films. See if you can match the song to the scene.

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)

Mike Rutherford (Genesis, Mike + The Mechanics)Songwriter Interviews

Mike Rutherford talks about the "Silent Running" storyline and "Land Of Confusion" in the age of Trump.

Donald Fagen

Donald FagenSongwriter Interviews

Fagen talks about how the Steely Dan songwriting strategy has changed over the years, and explains why you don't hear many covers of their songs.

Soul Train Stories with Stephen McMillian

Soul Train Stories with Stephen McMillianSong Writing

A Soul Train dancer takes us through a day on the show, and explains what you had to do to get camera time.