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. 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.
