Ed Sheeran is used to being the artist everyone wants to work with, but in a surprising twist, the global superstar has revealed he was the one chasing a collaboration with rising girl group KATSEYE after becoming a genuine fan of their breakout track 'Gnarly'.
The British singer-songwriter revealed that his connection with KATSEYE began in an unexpected way: he discovered their music while travelling in Mexico, heard 'Gnarly' and was immediately drawn to their sound.
Rather than waiting for an approach from the group or their team, Sheeran decided to reach out himself and ask whether he could help write a song for them. That unexpected fan-to-collaborator journey eventually led to 'Animal', a track co-written by Sheeran for KATSEYE and a major moment for the rapidly rising group.
The collaboration marks a rare career twist for the chart-topping artist, showing that even one of the world's biggest songwriters can still find inspiration from emerging talent. Sharing the story behind the track, Sheeran revealed that his admiration for KATSEYE's music was the driving force behind the partnership.
'I heard @katseyeworld's song Gnarly last year when I was in Mexico and loved it,' he said. 'Said I was a fan and reached out to them to see if I could write them a song. We've created Animal together, go check it out, gang, and hope you all love it.'
The revelation quickly caught fans' attention, with many praising the collaboration as genuine appreciation rather than a typical industry pairing.
Ed Sheeran Goes From Katseye Fan To Songwriting Partner
The journey from hearing 'Gnarly' for the first time to creating 'Animal' highlights a different side of Sheeran's career, one built around his passion for songwriting and discovering new artists.
In behind-the-scenes footage from the track's making, Sheeran can be seen working in the studio and discussing the song's meaning. He explained that 'Animal' focuses on the idea of showing a more private, untamed side of yourself that only certain people get to experience.
'As in like, this is the only time that people ever see this side of you that I see,' Sheeran explained while describing the concept behind the lyrics.
The track explores the contrast between the public image artists often present and the more personal, energetic side revealed among close friends or loved ones.
For KATSEYE, the song allowed them to showcase a different dimension of their artistry while continuing to build their identity in global pop.
The collaboration also represents an important milestone for KATSEYE, who have quickly gained international attention since its debut.
Their music, including 'Gnarly', helped introduce the group to a wider audience and attracted listeners beyond their core fanbase.
Having an established songwriter like Sheeran recognise their potential adds another major achievement to their growing list of career highlights.
KATSEYE Enter a Bold New Era With Ed Sheeran Collaboration
'Animal' arrives as KATSEYE continue expanding their presence in the global music scene. The song is set to feature on their upcoming EP WILD, as the group enters a new chapter following the success of their earlier releases.
The track's music video also adds a cinematic edge, featuring actress Demi Moore in a special appearance. The Hollywood star appears in the visual, helping set the tone for the group's bold and confident new era.
For Sheeran, the collaboration is another example of his ability to move between different styles and generations of music. Throughout his career, he has written for and worked with some of the biggest names in entertainment, but this partnership began in a much simpler way, by becoming a fan.
That detail has become the biggest talking point surrounding 'Animal'. Instead of a newcomer hoping for a chance with a superstar, KATSEYE found themselves being noticed by one of the most successful musicians in the world.
The collaboration proves that inspiration can come from anywhere, and even global icons like Sheeran are still searching for new sounds, fresh talent and songs that spark excitement.
