CAMEROON/SOUTH AFRICA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - World Cup theme song "Waka Waka" gains worldwide recognition

Record ID: 452978

  • Title: CAMEROON/SOUTH AFRICA: FOOTBALL/SOCCER - World Cup theme song "Waka Waka" gains worldwide recognition
  • Date: 11th June 2010
  • Summary: DOUALA, CAMEROON (RECENT) (REUTERS) (SOUNDBITE) (French) JEAN PAUL ZE BELLA, LEAD SINGER OF ZANGALEWA, SAYING: "This song has very strong African roots. It mentions the three (mutations) of Africa: there was slavery, there was colonisation, and now, 50 years later, Africa is free. I think that's what has brought people like Shakira to re-interpret this song."
  • Embargoed: 26th June 2010 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: Arts / Culture / Entertainment / Showbiz,Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVA4LJAIBZN4H0647ZF6PL20Q45W
  • Story Text: Excitement was building on Friday (June 11) ahead of the opening match of Africa's first soccer World Cup, with football fans around the world preparing for the tournament.
    The theme song to the event has heightened spirits, but few know the song performed by pop singer Shakira was a 1986 hit from the band Zangalewa, also known as Golden Sounds, in Cameroon.
    The original song (also called Zangalewa), and its comical music video with band members dressed in military outfits, was a hit across the country and one of the first songs in Cameroon to have a music video. The song celebrates the independence of Cameroon and Africa.
    "This song has very strong African roots. It mentions the three (mutations) of Africa: there was slavery, there was colonisation, and now, 50 years later, Africa is free. I think that's what has brought people like Shakira to re-interpret this song," said Jean Paul Ze Bella, one of the lead singers of Zangalewa, and a former member of Cameroon's presidential guard.
    The Zangalewa song also became a hit in South America and particularly Columbia, where the musician Shakira was raised.
    The song was introduced to South America by West African DJs.
    Zangalewa's manager, Didier Edo, says the band was not originally contacted about using their material for the new FIFA song. They only heard about the use of Zangalewa after a clip of the song was published on the internet.
    "One of the band members actually lives in the United States. So, we got in touch, called in a lawyer and we started initiating contact with Shakira's management and actually Sony. And then, we started working things out," said Edo, who lives in Douala.
    The Zangalewa band has since been compensated for the use of their original music. They would not comment on the amount they received.
    "It's a stroke of luck, but good luck. Because we weren't informed originally. We didn't know. But now, it has worked out and it's a great honour because Shakira is a worldwide musical icon. And more than that, the song that she is singing is for the World Cup, which is an event that unites people," said Ze Bella.
    The band is now negotiating a deal that might allow them to tour in South Africa during the World Cup.
    However, they were not included in the opening concert of the World Cup where Shakira performed her adaptation of their hit along with other songs. Thousands of people rocked Orlando Stadium in South Africa's biggest township on Thursday (June 10), singing in harmony on the eve of the world's most watched sporting event.
    Concert-goers clapped and cheered amidst almost freezing temperatures as footballers, local and international singing stars took to the stage.
    The concert featured stars including Alicia Keys and Angelique Kidjo, the Black Eyed Peas and Shakira.
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