Comme Si Je N’Existais Pas

It’s Algeria’s turn. They’re about to face off against England shortly, so today’s (second) 2010 World Cup music moment comes courtesy of Khaled‘s “Aicha,” hands down one of my favorite songs of all time and one of the biggest hits to ever come out of the continent. I know some might prefer “Didi,” which Khaled performed at the 2010 World Cup Opening Ceremony, but this song has been a constant in my Walkman/Discman/iPod since its release in the late 90s.

Here’s hoping Algeria stay in it so I can also throw in some Rai ‘n’ B over the next month.

Pitch Perfect Friday


Obviously, we here at Africa is a Country are fully behind Bafana Bafana, and the rest of the teams representing Africa at the 2010 World Cup. And, yes, unlike Chimamanda Adichie, that also includes Algeria. As this is the second World Cup I am watching as an American citizen, though, I am also supporting the U.S. national team.

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Viva Africa

The Super Eagles are kicking off against Greece shortly, so today’s 2010 World Cup music moment comes from Nneka. She’s got a song, “Viva Africa,” on Listen Up, the official 2010 FIFA World Cup album. Here’s the just-released video. We like Nneka around here, but this song and video get a *Kanye shrug* from me. The kids are cute though.

ESPN observes Youth Day

I went to ESPN’s website to check WC scores and was surprised to find two short videos on its soccer homepage commemorating the June 16, 1976 student uprising in Soweto. A day which is now recognized as “Youth Day,”  a national holiday.

Check them out for yourself:

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Vuvuzela Bafana

Courtesy of Ghetto Bassquake (whose World Cup Rivalry series I highly recommend), and just in time for Bafana Bafana’s imminent kickoff against Uruguay, we bring you DJ Sbu’s “Vuvuzela Bafana,” a track “solely dedicated to motivate the boys.”

Love it or hate it, the vuvuzela is here to stay.

World Cup / Mondiale / Mundial

From Nomadic Wax comes World Cup “a one-of-a-kind World Cup-inspired transnational hip-hop collaboration” featuring rappers from Africa, the Caribbean, Latin America, the United States, and Europe.

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Introducing: Pilgrimages

In honor of the 2010 World Cup, the Chinua Achebe Center for African Writers, based at Bard College in New York, in collaboration with Chimurenga Magazine, Kwani, and Farafina Magazine, has just announced a very (very) cool project. In their own words:

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Prepare To Be Shocked

Italian designer Roberto Cavalli, whose penchant for animal prints is well-known, has just unveiled his design for the outfit that Shakira will be wearing during the official 2010 World Cup Kickoff Celebration Concert.

Shocking.

h/t A Bombastic Element

And Then There Was Adidas

“adidas Originals invites you to join David Beckham, Daft Punk, Snoop Dogg, Franz Beckenbauer, Noel Gallagher, Ian Brown, Ciara, Jay Baruchel, DJ Neil Armstrong and some of your dear, old friends for an intergalactic 2010 FIFA World Cup™ viewing party that you’ll never forget.”

Ciara!?

h/t Dirty Tackle

On Va Samizé


Everyone needs some coupé décalé in their life, especially on Fridays. Today it comes in the form of an ode to Samuel Eto’o (la fierté de l’Afrique!) from Cameroonian DJs Polio and Kitoko. It also seems like a great way to start the final countdown until kick-off in a week.

Enjoy.

h/t ChiefBoima

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