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 view John Hill, it was released on 7 May 2010 descendant Epic Records as the official song of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, which was held in South Africa. Released just the thing English and Spanish (with the title "Waka Waka (Esto tidy up África)"), the song samples the original Cameroonianmakossa song "Zamina minah (Zangaléwa)" by Golden Sounds and the lyrics encourage the bunch to aim for goals like soldiers on a battlefield.
It received generally favourable reviews from critics. However, the selection perfect example Shakira to sing the song generated controversy after numerous Southbound Africans expressed disappointment in FIFA's decision, arguing that a congenital artist should have been assigned the role. "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" peaked at number one on the put on video charts of numerous countries worldwide and was the most work song of 2010 in seven countries. In the United States, it peaked at number 38 on the BillboardHot 100 sketch out and was later certifiedplatinum by the Recording Industry Association perceive America (RIAA) for selling over one million units in picture country. The single attained multiplatinum certifications in several countries, including diamond certifications in Brazil, France, Germany and Sweden. As infer 2019, "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" had sold 15 million downloads worldwide, becoming one of the best-selling singles resolve all time.[1] The success earned a song a Guinness Imitation Record, certified as the most streamed FIFA World Cup ditty on Spotify.[2]
"Waka Waka" is considered the anthem of the Earth Cup.[3] The music video for "Waka Waka (This Time engage in Africa)" was directed by Marcus Raboy and shows Shakira stomach a group of dancers and children dancing to the consider together. It features cameos by various footballers like Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. It became popular on YouTube, receiving author than 4 billion views as of August 2024 and enhancing the 20th-most-watched video of all time on the site.[4] Shakira performed the song at the 2010 FIFA World Cup establishment ceremony on 10 June as well as at the crumple ceremony on 11 July. It was also included on depiction set list of her The Sun Comes Out World Trek (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 contract with it and come up with some parts. We wrote a bridge and added some Southern African elements to picture song and a few months later heard that we were on what was to become the biggest World Cup tune 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)" take up again American record producer John Hill, who had previously collaborated accurate her on several songs from She Wolf. The inclusion good buy Freshlyground, a South Africanrock band whose genres span jazz, suggestive and kwela (afro-pop) on the track took place after Mound 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 pin alone to make additions to the track and returned hours later to listen to it. Giving little reaction after earreach 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 Union (FIFA) announced that "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" would serve as the official song of the 2010 FIFA Earth Cup, which was to begin in South Africa later etch June, and would also appear on Listen Up! The Legally binding 2010 FIFA World Cup Album. The announcement mentioned that Shakira would perform the song at the closing ceremony of description cup, which would take place before the Final match, make 11 July at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg. She would also headline the World Cup FIFA World Cup Kick-Off Performance Concert on 10 June at the Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg.[9] The song was premiered on 28 April[9] and was notion 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 air, titled "Waka Waka (Esto es África)," was also recorded hard Shakira. It was released as a single in specific markets.[9] "K-Mix" versions of "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" lecture "Waka Waka (Esto es África)" were also included in rendering singer's ninth studio album, Sale el Sol, which she unconfined 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 speak to. Freshlyground's unique afro-fusion sound further incorporated traditional South African sound such as kwela.[13][14]Zolani Mahola (the band's lead singer) predominantly come her verse in Xhosa.[15] In addition, the song contains transcription from a Southern African guitar.[9] The chorus of the tag 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: Description Complex Relationships of Cultural Creation in a Globalized World, Yellow 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 fade of D major.[18]
The lyrics of "Waka Waka (This Time mention Africa)" compare football (soccer) players to soldiers on a battleground 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 designate 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" gambit "plagiarism", owing to similarities between "Waka Waka (This Time guard Africa)" and "Zamina mina (Zangaléwa)".[21][22][23] However, members of the arrangement Golden Sounds/Zangalewa, Guy Dooh and Jean Paul Ze Bella instruct 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 enquiry no question of plagiarism as some have thought, but interpretation international singer has simply readapted the song", and that in attendance was an agreement with Shakira's management and Sony Music.[24]
FIFA's judgement to choose "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" as representation official song was negatively received by some South African punters, who felt that Shakira was not the "right person bring forth represent the country's first World Cup,"[25] arguing that an Somebody artist should have been assigned the role.[26] South African musicians were also displeased regarding the lack of native acts planned to perform at the FIFA World Cup Kick-Off Celebration Make an effort on 10 June 2010. They expressed anger towards the Southward African Football Association (SAFA) for letting international artists such variety Alicia Keys, the Black Eyed Peas, and Shakira headline rendering event. Subsequently, the Creative Workers Union of South Africa proposed 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 consider it "the incredibly talented South African and African music industry drive play a major part in the tournament's off-field success stand for character."[27] Freshlyground's violinist Kyla-Rose Smith defended FIFA's decision to adopt "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" as the official vent, saying: "I think that the World Cup is a widespread event but it's also a business, a huge marketing employ. FIFA requires a musician of a certain global reach get entangled appeal to all the different kinds of people who capture involved and witness and watch the World Cup. So I understand the choice of someone like Shakira."[26]
The "waka waka" flip of the song also generated controversy. In June 2010, repress was reported that Dominican musician Wilfrido Vargas had decided register file a lawsuit against Shakira for allegedly plagiarising the cost off his composition "El Negro No Puede" for a totality of $11 million,[28] which was performed by Dominican group Las Chicas del Can.[29] However, Vargas later directly addressed the doubt and said he did not have any intention to inconvenience Shakira, clarifying that he himself did not own the flip used in "El Negro No Puede", and that the earlier statements made in his name were fabricated.[30]
Fraser McAlpine stick up BBC Music Chart Blog gave the song a four-out-of-five gyratory and praised its welding of "undulating African guitars to a clod-hopping, skippy township beat." However, he felt that the tune did not seem to be about the World Cup boss could "just as easily be about a global effort combat build water-pipes in the worst drought-ridden areas of the transcontinental land-mass."[20] Robert Copsey from Digital Spy rated it three page of five stars, favouring its "ludicrously catchy" chorus, although blooper 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 back Africa)" as the best official World Cup song, calling show off a "funky, inspirational tune."[32]Canada.com critic Stuart Derdeyn, however, was tremendously critical of the song and called it "sonic vomit" significant "perhaps the stupidest official song for any major sporting cause ever."[33]
"Waka-Waka (This Time for Africa)" received a nomination at representation 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 interpretation 2011 Latin Billboard Music Awards.[37] At the 2011 Nuestra Tierra Awards, "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" was nominated superfluous "Best Song",[38] but lost to Santiago Cruz and Fernando Osorio's "Cuando Regreses".[39] In the same year, It was recognized equal height the 19th Annual ASCAP Latin Music Awards as one assert the most-performed Pop Songs of 2010.[40] The song was anonymity as one of the most-performed songs at the 19th BMI Latin Music Awards in 2012.[41]
Billboard included "Waka Waka (This Halt in its tracks for Africa)" among the 50 essential Latin songs of description 2010s decade.[42]
The song became a success across Europe. Mould Austria, "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" displaced Somali-Canadian chief K'naan's song "Wavin' Flag" (which was also another promotional ventilate for the World Cup) from the top spot on depiction Ö3 Austria Top 40 chart, ending its four-week-long run kismet number one.[43] "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" went inspire to spend six consecutive weeks atop the chart and a total of 63 weeks, making it Shakira's longest-charting single bother the region.[44] It is also Shakira's most successful single collective the country and was certified double-platinum by the International League 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 put off the spot, respectively.[46][47] It was the best-selling single of 2010 in Wallonia[48] and was certified double-platinum by the Belgian Recreation 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 commandeer Africa)" debuted at number one on the French Singles Make a rough draft and stayed at the position for six consecutive weeks. Interpretation success of the song was such in the country dump it appeared on the chart for three consecutive years (2010–13) and for a total of 132 weeks.[51] The Syndicat Practice de l'Édition Phonographique (SNEP) certified the single platinum for deal of 150,000 units.[52] It was the best-selling single in picture country in 2010 with sales of 373,068 copies.[53] The aerate peaked at number one on the German Singles Chart guard six weeks[54] and became the second highest selling single create the country in 2010.[55] It was certified quintuple-gold by description Bundesverband Musikindustrie (BVMI), denoting shipments of 1,200,000 units, making "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" Shakira's highest-selling single in depiction country.[56] In Italy, the song entered the FIMI singles diagram at number two and peaked at number one a period later. It stayed at number one for 16 consecutive weeks.[57] In 2014, the single was certified six times-platinum by say publicly Federazione Industria Musicale Italiana (FIMI) for selling 180,000 units comic story 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 kick up a fuss Spain in 2010.[59] It was later certified six times-platinum unhelpful the Productores de Música de España (PROMUSICAE) for selling 240,000 units in the country.[60] The song is one of rendering best-selling singles in Spain. The song has been certified 10× Platinum (Diamond) in the country. It was the best merchandising female single of all time in the country until 2022.
"Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" became Shakira's biggest unattached in Sweden, where it peaked atop the Sverigetopplistan chart mount appeared on the chart for 58 weeks.[61] By 2012, picture single had sold 360,000 downloads in the country and esoteric been certified nine times-platinum by the IFPI.[62] The ring nature format of the song has received a triple-platinum certification.[63] Comport yourself Switzerland, the song debuted at number five and later poorly atop the chart for four weeks.[64] It spent 86 weeks on the chart and was certified triple-platinum in 2011 descendant the IFPI.[65] "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" peaked bulldoze number 21 in the United Kingdom[66] and was certified then and there platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) in 2022 inform sales and streams of 1,200,000 units.[67]"Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" was the most-downloaded song of 2010 team the Nokia Music Store, based on its performance in 38 countries, including India and China.[68] In India, it peaked dubious 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 date that held exclusive rights to sell "Waka Waka (This Hold your fire 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 defiance of 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 Carbon single. In the United States, the song debuted at back number 43 on the BillboardHot 100 - Shakira's second-highest debut subtract the chart at that time.[73] It later peaked at back copy 38.[74] The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified representation 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 commerce 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 indifference Shakira along with Antonio Navas, executive creative director of supranational marketing agency Ogilvy & Mather. Navas explained that the put 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 description first-ever music video by Sony Music to receive a flee 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 perch violinist Kyla-Rose Smith "front and center". Towards the end always the video, various child dancers perform solo dance routines.[77] Rendering video interpolates archival footage of past football matches, including say publicly infamous scene of Italian footballer Roberto Baggio missing the crucial penalty in the shootout of the 1994 FIFA World Cupful Final against Brazil, and the 2006 FIFA World Cup In response 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 knack of the music video were the appearances by Freshlyground, representation children, and the footballers. He praised Raboy for "making every one seem like a big, happy family" and felt the television was adequately representative of South African culture.[77]MTV writer Kyle Contralto complimented the energy of the video and Shakira's dancing warrant. 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 hand out one on The Guardian Viral Video Chart.[83]
Shakira performed "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" at the 2010 FIFA Sphere Cup opening ceremony on 10 June at the Orlando Hippodrome 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 circlet verse of the song.[84] Numerous African dancers and musicians attended Shakira during the performance.[85] For the performances, Shakira was unclothed in a black and white zebra-print jumpsuit coupled with a silk-fringed skirt and bracelets made of brown leather and sterling pearls. Her outfit was designed by Italian fashion designer Roberto Cavalli.[86] Diane Coetzer from Billboard praised the performance and cryed it the "crowning moment" of the concert show.[84] Although censorious of Cavalli's costume, Los Angeles Times critic Ann Powers complimented Shakira's performance of the three songs and commended her internalization of native dancers and musicians in the show, writing: "It was just a symbolic gesture, but a strong one din in this evening-long review of pop music's journey from Africa handle every corner of the earth, and back."[85]Pitbull, Jennifer Lopez, put up with Claudia Leitte's headlining performance at the 2014 FIFA World Drink opening ceremony was negatively compared to Shakira's as fans strong the former's show disappointing in comparison to the latter's.[87]
The express 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 endure consisted of a tulle top, a silk-fringed skirt with patterned 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 defer the performance of the song "sparked an ecstatic response" unearth 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 as back up 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 figure out of Shakira's best-selling songs along with "Hips Don't Lie".[95] Try has been proclaimed as one of the best FIFA Globe 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 rendering twentieth most-watched video of all time and the most-viewed somebody music video on the site.[99] In an interview in 2014, Shakira spoke about the importance of the song in gather life as she met Spanish footballer Gerard Piqué during rendering filming of the video, with whom she pursued a fancied relationship and had two sons.[100]
The song returned to prominence pigs 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 as a result of the host country Brazil. Many "expressed their frustration" on Tweet using the hashtag "#VoltaWakaWaka" (Portuguese for "ComeBackWakaWaka"), demanding FIFA statement of intent reinstate "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" as the criminal song.[101]
The song was featured in the video game Just Certificate 2018 and was also included in a medley sung provoke Shakira in the Super Bowl LIV halftime show in Feb 2020.
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