"Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)", also known as "Waka Waka (Esto es África)" in Spanish, is a song by Colombian singer Shakira, featuring the South African band Freshlyground. Written, composed, and produced by Shakira and John Hill, it was released on 7 May 2010 by Epic Records as the official song of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, which was held in South Africa. The song heavily borrows from the original Cameroonian song "Zamina mina (Zangaléwa)" by Golden Sounds and the lyrics encourage one to aim for their goals like a soldier on a battlefield.
It received generally favourable reviews from critics, who praised its production. The song, however, generated controversy after numerous South Africans expressed disappointment in FIFA's decision to select Shakira to sing the song, arguing that a native artist should have been assigned the role. "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" peaked at number one on the record charts of numerous countries worldwide and was the most successful song of 2010 in seven countries. In the United States, it peaked at number 38 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and was later certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for selling over one million units in the country. The single attained multiplatinum certifications in several countries, including diamond certifications in Brazil, France and Sweden. As of 2019, "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" had sold 15 million downloads worldwide, becoming one of the best-selling singles of all time.[1]
VA - Listen Up (The Official 2010 FIFA World Cup Album) [2010]
In February 2010, Shakira wrote and produced "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" with American record producer John Hill, who had previously collaborated with her on several songs from She Wolf. The inclusion of Freshlyground, a South African Afro-fusion band, on the track came to take place after Hill met with their producer in New York. The band were finishing their studio album Radio Africa when Hill approached them requesting input regarding the song. The producer left the band alone to make additions to the track and returned hours later to listen to it. Giving little reaction after hearing it, Hill expressed interest in recording "everything I'd heard here" and told the band that they would hear from him later.[3][4]
On April 26, 2010, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) announced that "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" would serve as the official song of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, which was to begin in South Africa later in June, and would also appear on Listen Up! The Official 2010 FIFA World Cup Album. The announcement mentioned that Shakira would perform the song at the closing ceremony of the cup, which would take place before the Final match, on 11 July at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg. She would also headline the World Cup FIFA World Cup Kick-Off Celebration Concert on 10 June at the Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg.[5] The song was premiered on 28 April[5] and was made available for digital download on the iTunes Store on 7 May 2010.[6] It received a physical release as a CD single on 28 May.[7] A Spanish-language version of the song, titled "Waka Waka (Esto es África)," was also recorded by Shakira. It was released as a single in specific markets.[5] "K-Mix" versions of "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" and "Waka Waka (Esto es África)" were also included in the singer's ninth studio album, Sale el Sol, which she released in October the same year.[8]
FIFA's decision to choose "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" as the official song was negatively received by South African people, who felt Shakira was not the "right person to represent the country's first World Cup,"[18] arguing that an African artist should have been assigned the role.[19] South African musicians were also displeased regarding the lack of native acts scheduled to perform at the FIFA World Cup Kick-Off Celebration Concert on 10 June 2010. They expressed anger towards the South African Football Association (SAFA) for letting international artists like Alicia Keys, the Black Eyed Peas, and Shakira headline the event. Subsequently, the Creative Workers Union of South Africa planned a demonstration to be held on 15 April, but called it off after SAFA announced that the repertoire of performing acts would be finalised after "consultation with fans and host cities."[20] Danny Jordaan, head of the South African World Cup Organising Committee and president of SAFA, released a statement assuring that "the incredibly talented South African and African music industry will play a major part in the tournament's off-field success and character."[20] Freshlyground's violinist Kyla-Rose Smith defended FIFA's decision to select "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" as the official song, saying: "I think that the World Cup is a global event but it's also a business, a huge marketing exercise. FIFA requires a musician of a certain global reach to appeal to all the different kinds of people who are involved and witness and watch the World Cup. So I understand the choice of someone like Shakira."[19]
The song became a success across Europe. In Austria, "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" displaced Somali-Canadian artist K'naan's song "Wavin' Flag" (which was also another promotional song for the World Cup) from the top spot on the Ö3 Austria Top 40 chart, ending its four-week-long run at number one.[36] "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" went on to spend six consecutive weeks atop the chart and a total of 63 weeks, making it Shakira's longest-charting single in the region.[37] It is also Shakira's most successful single in the country and was certified double-platinum by the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) Austria, denoting sales of 60,000 units.[38] In both the Dutch-speaking Flanders and French-speaking Wallonia regions of Belgium, the song reached number one on the Ultratop charts, logging a total of five and eight weeks at the spot, respectively.[39][40] It was the best-selling single of 2010 in Wallonia[41] and was certified double-platinum by the Belgian Entertainment Association (BEA) in 2012 for completing sales of 60,000 units.[42] In Denmark, the song topped the Hitlisten chart and was certified double-platinum by the IFPI Denmark.[43]
The music video for "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" was directed by Marcus Raboy.[71] It was developed and conceptualised by Shakira along with Antonio Navas, executive creative director of international marketing agency Ogilvy & Mather. Navas explained that the concept of the video was to "take the viewer on a trip around the world, ending in Africa."[72] The dance sequences were choreographed by Hi-Hat, who had previously worked with Shakira on the video of "She Wolf" (2009).[73] The video was shot in Los Angeles and was recorded in multiple languages.[72] It was premiered on 6 June 2010[71] and became the first-ever music video by Sony Music to receive a release in 3D format.[74]
The 101 Best Albums of the 2010s Mar 08, 2020 Reggae Vibes Album Top 20, ... collaborated on the previous survey here at Hyperreal, in May of Available as a digital single ... Listen to The Classic Rock Channel Live for Free! ... The Scientist albums (Vampire, World Cup, Space Invaders) promise a lot ...
Le foot et Shakira, une histoire qui marche. Il y a quatre ans, la chanteuse colombienne s'associait déjà à ce sport en dédiant la chanson [musique:251048 "Hips Don't Lie"] au mondial de 2006. Cette fois, Shakira signe carrément l'hymne officiel de la Coupe du Monde 2010, "Time For Africa", en duo avec le groupe sud-africain Freshlyground. La chanson "Time for Africa", qui existe aussi en espagnol, sera interprétée le 10 juin prochain lors du concert qui précède le lancement du mondial de foot, ainsi que lors de la cérémonie de clôture le 11 juillet 2010. La chanson sera également présente sur l'album officiel de la Coupe du Monde, "Listen Up: The Official 2010 FIFA World Cup Album", qui comportera des collaborations entre artistes africains et chanteurs d'envergure internationale. La sortie est prévue dans quelques semaines. Le clip de la chanson devrait être disponible prochainement, en version classique et en version 3D. "Time for Africa" sera envoyé aux radios du monde entier dès cette semaine et sera disponible sur les plates-formes de téléchargement légal dès le 26 avril prochain.Ozap vous propose de découvrir un extrait de l'hymne officiel de la Coupe du Monde 2010 de football, par Shakira:
2ff7e9595c
Comments