Shakira's World Cup song
isn't going over so great
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ztr96RbMW8&feature=player_embedded
With
all
the
problems
facing this summer's World Cup in South Africa, the last
thing it needed was trouble over something as silly as the
tournament's official anthem, but that's exactly what Shakira's
"Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" is causing among South Africans
and many others who have endured it.
The song
hit radio stations last
week, with Johannesburg
locals responding with comments like "It's horrible" and "How is
Shakira going to sing the African part of it?" (My guess is with
her voice, but a Speak & Spell could be a fun choice,
too.)
The Colombian singer collaborated
with South African band Freshlyground on the track, which borrows
from a Cameroonian song called "Zangalewa."
But the fact that the anthem for South Africa's World Cup is not
being sung by a South African is the sticking point for the critics
who aren't just opposed to the new tune itself.
This isn't even the first time this World Cup's organizers have
been given headaches over their musical selection, though. The
tournament's kickoff concert that will take place the night before
matches begin on June 11 was also criticized for featuring too many
foreign acts like the Black Eyed Peas, Alicia Keys and John Legend
and not local musicians. The organizing committee eventually
bowed to the complaints and
made the lineup more "representative."
Shakira is scheduled to perform "Waka Waka" with Freshlyground
in front of 94,000 people at the final match on July 11. That
should be interesting. Even more interesting? The actual
tournament.
