If Shakira's rendition of the FIFA anthem is playing on loop in your head, this one's for you. Here's a complete guide to the controversy, debate and origins of this season's incomprehensible but favourite song
If Shakira's rendition of the FIFA anthem is playing on loop in your head, this one's for you. Here's a complete guide to the controversy, debate and origins of this season's incomprehensible but favourite song
Shakira is one of the hottest women alive. We agree. She spread the gospel of belly dance, her IQ is reported to be an incredible 140, and all the boys we know think of life as ultra benevolent when they watch her shake her bon-bon on screen. Some women think so too. And she has considerable musical talent.
But ever since the she-wolf jumped on stage to sing the 2010 FIFA World Cup anthem called Waka Waka (It's Time for Africa), fans are divided over whether it's a pulsating number dished out gorgeously by a talented woman, or whether it wasn't such a good idea to have a Colombian pop star of Lebanese ancestry, who resides in the Bahamas, represent Africa.
Few know that riffs from the catchy chorus are 'borrowed' from an original song titled Zangalewa sung by a Cameroon group called Golden Sounds. Most of the band members were Presidential Guards who produced the song as a tribute to African skirmishers who fought in World War II.
The popular Cameroonian marching song was a big hit in Columbia (and all of Africa, of course) back in the day, even though the FIFA website states that "the song was written by Shakira, the world-famous singer from Latin America".
Golden Sounds, a one-time household name in the continent that was loved for its silly dances and costumes, eventually changed its name to Zangalewa, thanks to the popularity of their song.
It's quite a pity that though the remixed chartbuster features South African Afro-fusion band Freshlyground, the unique sound of the band that incorporated elements of traditional South African music got lost in Shakira's classic hip-swirling frenzy.
Blogs across Africa lament the sexy singer's incorrect pronunciation, while thousands grooved to the live performance during the kick-off.
What we can't deny is that the infectious tune is stuck in our heads. It might not be a perfect start. With lyrics like You're a good soldier / Choosing your battles / Pick yourself up / And dust yourself off / Get back in the saddle we are talking, and may be even glorifying, war. But then out there on the football field, it's as good as war. Or so they say.
The Globalisation of Ooga Booga?
Can a skirt say 'Africa' without saying 'Ooga Booga savage', is reportedly the question on many African designers' minds, with respect to Shakira's flouncy Roberto Cavalli outfit worn during the FIFA kick-off celebrations. The black-and-white zebra-print cutout jumpsuit worn under a fringed skirt made of animal-print silk (resembling a tribal grass skirt) was perfect to show off Shakira's shimmies, but we wonder if it would have taken an African designer to do justice to the continent's unique fashion sensibilities.
Would you wanna Waka Waka? we asked the hotsters on our music scene
Vishal Dadlani, music composer, member Pentagram
Waka Waka is a fun, energetic track and Shakira is a great performer. It's always a good thing to take something that's rooted in tradition to a wider audience. But I do feel that this should be done with the permission of the original creator and he should be given due credit. The World Cup is a global phenomenon and I encourage open borders as far as music is concerned.
Anushka Manchanda, singer
If you are hosting the games in your country, and have a theme song, it's obvious that the artiste should be from your own country. You should be house-proud. But the only thing coming out of Africa now are the vuvuzelas. Considering the whole world is watching Africa, it would've been a great chance for them to showcase the talent they have.
Megha Kawale, DJ
I love the song. It's a commercial hit and infuses the spirit of the game into those who listen to it. Music has no language, colour or boundary. Football is a global phenomenon and it makes sense to get a global celebrity like Shakira to perform. The song has caught on everywhere it is playing on everybody's cell phones and burning up the dance floors.
Deconstructing the chorus
Millions of people the world over are suddenly pressing their hands together in a namaste. And while they may not remember the English lyrics, they are definitely humming the incoherent chorus. Here's deconstructing the lyrics of the chorus that appear in a Cameroonian language called Fang: Tsamina mina eh eh (Come) Waka Waka eh eh (Do it, do it as in 'perform a task'. Waka is pidgin for 'walk while working') Tsamina mina zangalewa (Where do you come from?) Wana wa aa (It is mine) This time for Africa
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