FIFA and the South African organizers of the World Cup yesterday unveiled the official World Cup tune.
Sorry K’Naan. You’ll always have Coco Cola.
The song–non-sensical lyrics over a beat created on a Casio–is a collaboration between Shakira and Zolani, the lead singer of South African group Freshlyground, a band which reminds me of Mango Groove.
Waka Waka.
Kaka Kaka
I’ve been in some elevators where I’ve heard better tunes.
… Or in minibus taxis.
Well, Shakira and Freshlyground …. that’s a recipe for pop drivel. But this will no doubt be the next best selling ringtone and a ditty that Danny Jordaan, Irvin Khoza and their FIFA compatriots can bop along to. All together now ….. can you feel it …
Horrible remake of Golden Sounds 1986 Zangalewa.
awful eh eh.
In case you hadn’t seen this: http://blog.wfmu.org/freeform/2010/03/waka-waka-hey-hey.html
Did Freshlyground actually collaborate or is it just Zolani writing and singing a verse?
Terrible song/rendition, but check out boima’s link – very interesting.
I’m confused though – what happened to K’naan’s tune. I thought he was doing the theme song?
Thanks for @Chris for mentioning the original track.
@Boima, this is why New York City will love you! You know Sonja will start blogging with Africa is a Country once the redesigned blog is up around July!
@RK: Yeh, it sounds like it is only Zolani. Who is a great singer. I agree on K’Naan. Should we trust South Africa’s lazy media to investigate that?
P.S. Given all the complaints about South Africa’s parochialism, isn’t it ironic that the song originates in Cameroon?
I see K’naan’s song is the official COCA COLA Worldcup song. Is there a Budwesier song as well?
I understand Carlsberg is about to release a remix of “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” w. Judy Mowatt and Femi Kuti.
And the musicians have agreed to do it. Shameless.
Sorry, Sean, I’m spreading mis-information here: I don’t even know if Carlsberg has a track to go along with their mid-table beer but the reality of the corporate are so silly and tacky…
“the reality of the corporate tie-ins are so silly and tacky…”
When I first heard that Zolani was joining Shakira, I wondered whether that was in response to the outcry by local musicians. I also thought why couldn’t they have just asked Zolani straight up. She does have a great voice. I know people disparage Freshlyground’s pop tip, but I bet they would have come up with a song that would have avoided the insipid lyrics of the Shakira song.
@ PH: got that.
@ RK: It’s definitely a response to the complaint by local singers.
On Zolani: I’ve always been a fan of Zolani ever since I first saw her on a hotel terrace at the Waterfront sing “Goema Goema” with Mac McKenzie and his Goema Captains.
On this video you can hear her voice:
I still am a big fan of hers.
As for Freshlyground, it’s a kind of Mango Groove. And the sound is light and very much Kirstenbosch summer concert. I still don’t get their appeal.
I’ve never seen her with McKenzie & Co live, but I’ve got that album. I’ve also missed her doing jazz vocal live, and am ever sorry for that. Hope maybe sometime down the line she does another one of those.
And, yes, I saw Freshlyground at Kirstenbosch. LOL. Luckily I had a hipflask of strong stuff.
A pre-cup Budweiser ad plays with the idea of a collective golden shower:
Sean, here’s a video of the original song but w/o an embed code:
Enjoy your site