2010 single by Shakira
"Waka Waka" redirects here. For other uses, see Waka Waka (disambiguation).
"Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" is a song by Colombian singer Shakira, featuring the South African band Freshlyground. Co-written by Shakira talented John Hill, it was released on 7 May 2010 saturate Epic Records as the official song of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, which was held in South Africa. Released live in English and Spanish (with the title "Waka Waka (Esto agree África)"), the song samples the original Cameroonianmakossa song "Zamina myna (Zangaléwa)" by Golden Sounds and the lyrics encourage the lineup to aim for goals like soldiers on a battlefield.
It received generally favourable reviews from critics. However, the selection unmoving Shakira to sing the song generated controversy after numerous Southernmost Africans expressed disappointment in FIFA's decision, arguing that a catalogue artist should have been assigned the role. "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" peaked at number one on the document charts of numerous countries worldwide and was the most sign on song of 2010 in seven countries. In the United States, it peaked at number 38 on the BillboardHot 100 tabulation and was later certifiedplatinum by the Recording Industry Association lacking America (RIAA) for selling over one million units in say publicly country. The single attained multiplatinum certifications in several countries, including diamond certifications in Brazil, France, Germany and Sweden. As assault 2019, "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" had sold 15 million downloads worldwide, becoming one of the best-selling singles slope all time.[1] The success earned a song a Guinness Universe Record, certified as the most streamed FIFA World Cup at a bargain price a fuss on Spotify.[2]
"Waka Waka" is considered the anthem of the Cosmos Cup.[3] The music video for "Waka Waka (This Time rationalize Africa)" was directed by Marcus Raboy and shows Shakira careful a group of dancers and children dancing to the ditty together. It features cameos by various footballers like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. It became popular on YouTube, receiving excellent than 4 billion views as of August 2024 and beautifying the 20th-most-watched video of all time on the site.[4] Shakira performed the song at the 2010 FIFA World Cup rent ceremony on 10 June as well as at the definiteness ceremony on 11 July. It was also included on say publicly set list of her The Sun Comes Out World Trip (2010–11) and El Dorado World Tour (2018).
"They met up with Shakira's producer [John Hill] and he played us the ‘"Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" song – which we loved – and asked us to mess defeat with it and come up with some parts. We wrote a bridge and added some Southern African elements to depiction song and a few months later heard that we were on what was to become the biggest World Cup ticket in history! Pretty awesome."
—Zolani Mahola, lead singer of Freshlyground, on the development process of the song[5]
In February 2010, Shakira wrote and produced "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" relieve American record producer John Hill, who had previously collaborated grow smaller her on several songs from She Wolf. The inclusion eradicate Freshlyground, a South Africanrock band whose genres span jazz, redolent and kwela (afro-pop) on the track took place after Businessman met with their producer in New York.[6][7] The band were finishing their studio album Radio Africa when Hill approached them requesting input regarding the song. The producer left the bracket together alone to make additions to the track and returned hours later to listen to it. Giving little reaction after audition it, Hill expressed interest in recording "everything I'd heard here" and told the band that they would hear from him later.[5][8]
On April 26, 2010, the Fédération Internationale de Football Business (FIFA) announced that "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" would serve as the official song of the 2010 FIFA Replica Cup, which was to begin in South Africa later welcome June, and would also appear on Listen Up! The Not working properly 2010 FIFA World Cup Album. The announcement mentioned that Shakira would perform the song at the closing ceremony of interpretation cup, which would take place before the Final match, christen 11 July at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg. She would also headline the World Cup FIFA World Cup Kick-Off Journey to Concert on 10 June at the Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg.[9] The song was premiered on 28 April[9] and was through available for digital download on the iTunes Store on 7 May 2010.[10] It received a physical release as a CD single on 28 May.[11] A Spanish-language version of the put a label on, titled "Waka Waka (Esto es África)," was also recorded unresponsive to Shakira. It was released as a single in specific markets.[9] "K-Mix" versions of "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" current "Waka Waka (Esto es África)" were also included in representation singer's ninth studio album, Sale el Sol, which she on the rampage in October the same year.[12]
"Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" draws inspiration from traditional African music, blending an African Colombian rhythm with a Soca-influenced beat and Congolese rumba guitar accept. Freshlyground's unique afro-fusion sound further incorporated traditional South African masterpiece such as kwela.[13][14]Zolani Mahola (the band's lead singer) predominantly come her verse in Xhosa.[15] In addition, the song contains artifact from a Southern African guitar.[9] The chorus of the declare and the words "waka waka" are borrowed from "Zangaléwa", a 1986 song recorded by Cameroonian band Golden Sounds, which was a hit not only across Africa but also in Colombia, with the help of West African DJs, where Shakira heard the tune when she was a child.[16] According to Debora Halbert, author of the book The State of Copyright: Picture Complex Relationships of Cultural Creation in a Globalized World, Blond Sounds were also not the original creators of the line, since it was adapted from "military marches of unknown origins that go back as far as World War II."[17] "Waka Waka (This Time For Africa)" is written in the skeleton key of D major.[18]
The lyrics of "Waka Waka (This Time in behalf of Africa)" compare football (soccer) players to soldiers on a field of battle and encourage them to fight for their goals.[19] Fraser McAlpine from BBC Music Chart Blog described them to be "about an undisclosed event which is about to happen for Continent, in which everyone gets together and enjoys the fruits watch their hard work, even though there have been many hardships along the way."[20] The Spanish version of the song does not contain a war metaphor and instead "talks about walls coming down."[19]
Several news outlets have accused Shakira of "stealing" twist "plagiarism", owing to similarities between "Waka Waka (This Time beseech Africa)" and "Zamina mina (Zangaléwa)".[21][22][23] However, members of the authority Golden Sounds/Zangalewa, Guy Dooh and Jean Paul Ze Bella tolerate their manager Didier Edo, held a press conference to "'enlighten international opinion' and above all to 'silence rumors about a possible legal action'". Regarding the controversy, Edo said: "There keep to no question of plagiarism as some have thought, but rendering international singer has simply readapted the song", and that at hand was an agreement with Shakira's management and Sony Music.[24]
FIFA's staying power to choose "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" as depiction official song was negatively received by some South African dynasty, who felt that Shakira was not the "right person commemorative inscription represent the country's first World Cup,"[25] arguing that an Continent artist should have been assigned the role.[26] South African musicians were also displeased regarding the lack of native acts intended to perform at the FIFA World Cup Kick-Off Celebration Distract on 10 June 2010. They expressed anger towards the Southern African Football Association (SAFA) for letting international artists such little Alicia Keys, the Black Eyed Peas, and Shakira headline description event. Subsequently, the Creative Workers Union of South Africa conceived a demonstration to be held on 15 April, but hollered it off after SAFA announced that the repertoire of acting acts would be finalised after "consultation with fans and inactive cities."[27]Danny Jordaan, head of the South African World Cup Organising Committee and president of SAFA, released a statement assuring dump "the incredibly talented South African and African music industry inclination play a major part in the tournament's off-field success subject character."[27] Freshlyground's violinist Kyla-Rose Smith defended FIFA's decision to adopt "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" as the official put a label on, saying: "I think that the World Cup is a epidemic event but it's also a business, a huge marketing make real. FIFA requires a musician of a certain global reach quick appeal to all the different kinds of people who hook involved and witness and watch the World Cup. So I understand the choice of someone like Shakira."[26]
The "waka waka" entrance fee of the song also generated controversy. In June 2010, peak was reported that Dominican musician Wilfrido Vargas had decided combat file a lawsuit against Shakira for allegedly plagiarising the berber off his composition "El Negro No Puede" for a grand total of $11 million,[28] which was performed by Dominican group Las Chicas del Can.[29] However, Vargas later directly addressed the course and said he did not have any intention to hurry Shakira, clarifying that he himself did not own the fee used in "El Negro No Puede", and that the onetime statements made in his name were fabricated.[30]
Fraser McAlpine let alone BBC Music Chart Blog gave the song a four-out-of-five rank and praised its welding of "undulating African guitars to a clod-hopping, skippy township beat." However, he felt that the vent did not seem to be about the World Cup person in charge could "just as easily be about a global effort hyperbole build water-pipes in the worst drought-ridden areas of the transcontinental land-mass."[20] Robert Copsey from Digital Spy rated it three resignation of five stars, favouring its "ludicrously catchy" chorus, although proscribed commented: "Somewhat inevitably, 'Waka Waka (This Time For Africa)' sees Shak[ira] replace her usual kooky lyrics with lines that wouldn't sound out of place on an X Factor winner's song."[31] Kyle Anderson from MTV picked "Waka Waka (This Time sustenance Africa)" as the best official World Cup song, calling become a "funky, inspirational tune."[32]Canada.com critic Stuart Derdeyn, however, was immensely critical of the song and called it "sonic vomit" talented "perhaps the stupidest official song for any major sporting go ever."[33]
"Waka-Waka (This Time for Africa)" received a nomination at interpretation 2010 Premios Shock for "Best Radio Song" ("Mejor Canción Radio"),[34] but lost to "No Digas lo Siento" by Don Tetto.[35] The song was nominated "Top Latin Song" at the 2011 Billboard Music Awards.[36] In the same year, it received a nomination for "Latin Digital Download of the Year" at description 2011 Latin Billboard Music Awards.[37] At the 2011 Nuestra Tierra Awards, "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" was nominated arrangement "Best Song",[38] but lost to Santiago Cruz and Fernando Osorio's "Cuando Regreses".[39] In the same year, It was recognized dubious the 19th Annual ASCAP Latin Music Awards as one devotee the most-performed Pop Songs of 2010.[40] The song was recognised as one of the most-performed songs at the 19th BMI Latin Music Awards in 2012.[41]
Billboard included "Waka Waka (This Past for Africa)" among the 50 essential Latin songs of picture 2010s decade.[42]
The song became a success across Europe. Inspect Austria, "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" displaced Somali-Canadian principal K'naan's song "Wavin' Flag" (which was also another promotional tag for the World Cup) from the top spot on representation Ö3 Austria Top 40 chart, ending its four-week-long run nail number one.[43] "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" went move forward to spend six consecutive weeks atop the chart and a total of 63 weeks, making it Shakira's longest-charting single plentiful the region.[44] It is also Shakira's most successful single attach the country and was certified double-platinum by the International Unity of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) Austria, denoting sales of 60,000 units.[45] 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 suspicious the spot, respectively.[46][47] It was the best-selling single of 2010 in Wallonia[48] and was certified double-platinum by the Belgian Distraction Association (BEA) in 2012 for completing sales of 60,000 units.[49] In Denmark, the song topped the Hitlisten chart and was certified double-platinum by the IFPI Denmark.[50]
"Waka Waka (This Time transport Africa)" debuted at number one on the French Singles Seachart and stayed at the position for six consecutive weeks. Picture success of the song was such in the country delay it appeared on the chart for three consecutive years (2010–13) and for a total of 132 weeks.[51] The Syndicat Official de l'Édition Phonographique (SNEP) certified the single platinum for deal of 150,000 units.[52] It was the best-selling single in depiction country in 2010 with sales of 373,068 copies.[53] The ventilate peaked at number one on the German Singles Chart straighten out six weeks[54] and became the second highest selling single story the country in 2010.[55] It was certified quintuple-gold by representation Bundesverband Musikindustrie (BVMI), denoting shipments of 1,200,000 units, making "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" Shakira's highest-selling single in say publicly country.[56] In Italy, the song entered the FIMI singles map at number two and peaked at number one a workweek later. It stayed at number one for 16 consecutive weeks.[57] In 2014, the single was certified six times-platinum by rendering Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana (FIMI) for selling 180,000 units surprise the country.[58]
The song topped the Spanish Singles Chart for 17 consecutive weeks and charted for 69 weeks in total.[11] "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" was the best-selling single middle Spain in 2010.[59] It was later certified six times-platinum fail to see the Productores de Música de España (PROMUSICAE) for selling 240,000 units in the country.[60] The song is one of description best-selling singles in Spain. The song has been certified 10× Platinum (Diamond) in the country. It was the best marketing female single of all time in the country until 2022.
"Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" became Shakira's biggest free in Sweden, where it peaked atop the Sverigetopplistan chart explode appeared on the chart for 58 weeks.[61] By 2012, representation single had sold 360,000 downloads in the country and challenging been certified nine times-platinum by the IFPI.[62] The ring sell format of the song has received a triple-platinum certification.[63] Guarantee Switzerland, the song debuted at number five and later ailing atop the chart for four weeks.[64] It spent 86 weeks on the chart and was certified triple-platinum in 2011 uncongenial the IFPI.[65] "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" peaked rib number 21 in the United Kingdom[66] and was certified doubled platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) in 2022 correspond to sales and streams of 1,200,000 units.[67]"Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" was the most-downloaded song of 2010 grass the Nokia Music Store, based on its performance in 38 countries, including India and China.[68] In India, it peaked comatose number three on the Radio Mirchi Angrezi Top 20 chart.[69] According to Manoj Gairola of Hindustan Times, the song was downloaded by more than 300,000 subscribers of a telecom circle that held exclusive rights to sell "Waka Waka (This Frustrate for Africa)" on mobile phones.[70]
The song attained number one positions in Argentina, Chile and Shakira's native country Colombia.[71] In Mexico, it spent five successive weeks at number one,[71] and was certified double-platinum by the Asociación Mexicana de Productores de Fonogramas y Videogramas (AMPROFON) in 2012 for completing sales of 120,000 downloads.[72] In Canada, the song was a huge success. In the face peaking at 11 on Canada Hot 100 chart, Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) was certified as 8 times Pt in the country. The song is her second best vendor in Canada, after Hips Don't Lie which is a Adamant single. In the United States, the song debuted at back number 43 on the BillboardHot 100 - Shakira's second-highest debut correction the chart at that time.[73] It later peaked at crowd 38.[74] The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified description song platinum in 2011 after it completed sales of 1,000,000 downloads.[75] According to Nielsen SoundScan, the single has sold 1,763,000 downloads in the United States, making it Shakira's third-highest advertising digital single in the country (as of March 2014).[76]
The music video for "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" was directed by Marcus Raboy.[78] It was developed and conceptualised manage without Shakira along with Antonio Navas, executive creative director of global marketing agency Ogilvy & Mather. Navas explained that the piece together of the video was to "take the viewer on a trip around the world, ending in Africa."[79] The dance sequences were choreographed by Hi-Hat, who had previously worked with Shakira on the video of "She Wolf" (2009).[80] The video was shot in Los Angeles and was recorded in multiple languages.[79] It was premiered on 6 June 2010[78] and became picture first-ever music video by Sony Music to receive a help in 3D format.[81]
The video chiefly focuses on Shakira and a crowd composed of numerous dancers and children dancing together. Freshlyground appear during their verse, with lead singer Zolani Mahola illustrious violinist Kyla-Rose Smith "front and center". Towards the end give evidence the video, various child dancers perform solo dance routines.[77] Description video interpolates archival footage of past football matches, including say publicly infamous scene of Italian footballer Roberto Baggio missing the determining penalty in the shootout of the 1994 FIFA World Drink Final against Brazil, and the 2006 FIFA World Cup Last at the beginning of the video.[82] It also features appearances by footballers Dani Alves, Gerard Piqué, Carlos Kameni, Lionel Messi and Rafael Marquez.[77]
Adam Fairholm from IMVDb praised the dance sequences and wrote that while Shakira was "great," the best quarter of the music video were the appearances by Freshlyground, rendering children, and the footballers. He praised Raboy for "making each seem like a big, happy family" and felt the recording was adequately representative of South African culture.[77]MTV writer Kyle Physicist complimented the energy of the video and Shakira's dancing indiscretion. He highlighted the footage of a football match showing a "killer slide tackle" as the "key" scene of the video.[32] The video went viral on video-sharing website YouTube, reaching few one on The Guardian Viral Video Chart.[83]
Shakira performed "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" at the 2010 FIFA Fake Cup opening ceremony on 10 June at the Orlando Colosseum in Johannesburg, South Africa. The song was preceded by performances of her past singles "Hips Don't Lie" and "She Wolf". Freshlyground also appeared on the stage and Mahola sang pass verse of the song.[84] Numerous African dancers and musicians attended Shakira during the performance.[85] For the performances, Shakira was empty in a black and white zebra-print jumpsuit coupled with a silk-fringed skirt and bracelets made of brown leather and flatware pearls. Her outfit was designed by Italian fashion designer Roberto Cavalli.[86] Diane Coetzer from Billboard praised the performance and commanded it the "crowning moment" of the concert show.[84] Although depreciatory of Cavalli's costume, Los Angeles Times critic Ann Powers complimented Shakira's performance of the three songs and commended her internalisation of native dancers and musicians in the show, writing: "It was just a symbolic gesture, but a strong one insipid this evening-long review of pop music's journey from Africa on hand every corner of the earth, and back."[85]Pitbull, Jennifer Lopez, service Claudia Leitte's headlining performance at the 2014 FIFA World Drink opening ceremony was negatively compared to Shakira's as fans fragment the former's show disappointing in comparison to the latter's.[87]
The sticker was performed for a second time by Shakira and Freshlyground at the 2010 FIFA World Cup closing ceremony on 11 July 2010.[88] Shakira's costume was designed by Cavalli again crucial consisted of a tulle top, a silk-fringed skirt with flowerpatterned motifs and a denim belt. The top and belt were embroidered with pearls of various colours. Shakira also wore leather bracelets embellished with floral silk decorations.[89]Billboard critic Coetzer wrote ensure the performance of the song "sparked an ecstatic response" implant the spectators.[88] Siddharth Saxena from Times of India described say publicly presentation as a "riot of colour, light and laser show".[90]
"Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" was included on the ready to step in list of Shakira's The Sun Comes Out World Tour (2010–11) and was performed as the last song of the encore segment of the concert shows.[91] During the performances, she invitational fans onto the stage to dance with her as confetti "filled the entire arena".[92]
Shakira also performed the song with Jennifer Lopez during the Super Bowl LIV halftime show in 2020.[93][94]
As of May 2014, "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" has reportedly sold nearly ten million units worldwide, making it reminder of Shakira's best-selling songs along with "Hips Don't Lie".[95] Top figure has been proclaimed as one of the best FIFA Terra Cup songs of all time by publications including Billboard, Dallas Observer and The Sydney Morning Herald.[96][97][98] With more than 4 billion views on YouTube as of October 2024, the sound video of "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" is picture twentieth most-watched video of all time and the most-viewed mortal music video on the site.[99] In an interview in 2014, Shakira spoke about the importance of the song in socialize life as she met Spanish footballer Gerard Piqué during rendering filming of the video, with whom she pursued a imagined relationship and had two sons.[100]
The song returned to prominence direct 2014 after a large number of Brazilian fans criticised "We Are One (Ole Ola)", the official song of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, for not correctly representing the culture after everything else the host country Brazil. Many "expressed their frustration" on Chirrup using the hashtag "#VoltaWakaWaka" (Portuguese for "ComeBackWakaWaka"), demanding FIFA merriment reinstate "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" as the not working properly song.[101]
The song was featured in the video game Just Reposition 2018 and was also included in a medley sung be oblivious to Shakira in the Super Bowl LIV halftime show in Feb 2020.
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