Colour and rhythm in African celebration

The South Africa 2010 party got under way in style last night with a joyous, colourful and truly African FIFA World Cup™ Kick-off Celebration Concert in Soweto, Johannesburg.

Held in the football heartland that is Orlando Stadium, home of iconic club side Orlando Pirates, the concert featured a host of stars including Shakira, Alicia Keys, K'Naan and the Black Eyed Peas. A wide variety of acts took to the stage but the abiding theme was one of celebration for the African continent with the event broadcast across the world.

The countdown clock introducing the three-hour extravaganza finally hit zero and with it came a cacophonous roar as seemingly thousands of South Africa flags were lifted aloft creating an ocean of colour among the estimated 30,000 in attendance. Joining the countless Rainbow Nation colours were a broad cross-section of national flags representing every corner of the globe, as the many visitors in attendance took the opportunity to enjoy Africa’s impressive ability to turn on a party.

FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter and South African President Jacob Zuma jointly opened the concert after the early acts. As the evening progressed a cavalcade of football stars took to the stage between performances including former Bafana Bafana captain Lucas Radebe, Christian Karembeu, Quinton Fortune, Socrates and Jay Jay Okacha. Another joyous presenter was Archbishop Desmond Tutu decked out in Bafana Bafana supporter gear and who introduced a video presentation on Nelson Mandela with trademark enthusiasm.

The large crowd rarely dropped their energy levels and their infectious enthusiasm was palpable. "I have been to a lot of concerts but I have never been to a concert like this," said ebullient Johannesburg resident Khensami Majola, just as K'Naan took to the stage to perform his poignant song 'Wavin Flag'. "It is amazing fun, we are having a huge jam. It is a perfect presentation of Africa – north, south, east and west." The concert drew to a spectacular conclusion with Colombian pop princess Shakira in impressive form. She was joined on stage by Freshlyground for a rendition of 'Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)', the Official FIFA World Cup theme.

Another proud concert-goer was Soweto local William Oosthuizen who spoke with pride as he took a rare break from dancing. "I am very proud and I am enjoying this immensely,” he said. “Beauty in the heart of Soweto. This is what Africa is all about. Sport has a unifying factor and it’s all about people enjoying themselves."
source:www.fifa.com

Shakira, Bono, R. Kelly, Russell Brand Score With World Cup Anthems

Skakira's official FIFA World Cup song 'Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)' has much company among 2010 soccer anthems.

By Gil Kaufman


It's hard enough to get Americans pumped up to watch a bunch of other country's teams play soccer, but one thing we can all agree on is that the crazy-quilt Pangaea of World Cup anthems is an amazing spectacle to behold. From Shakira's Official FIFA World Cup song "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" to Russell Brand and Robbie Williams' remake of England's unofficial soccer song, "Three Lions," there are a head-spinning array of choices when it comes to soccer soundtracks for the planet's biggest sporting event.

Colombian hip-swiveler Shakira teamed up with South Africa's Freshlyground for the tournament's official song. The propulsive Afro-techno "Waka Waka" has the perfect mix of inspirational lyrics — "The pressure's on, you feel it/ It's time for Africa, your time to shine" — and a raise-the-roof vibe that you can picture pumping out of stereos from Johannesburg to Pittsburgh.

No slouch in the inspiration department, Mr. "I Believe I Can Fly" himself, R. Kelly, also cooked up an official FIFA World Cup anthem with a little ditty he calls "Sign of a Victory." The collabo with the Soweto Spiritual Singers choir — who will perform the song with Kelly at Friday's opening ceremonies — bubbles along on a syncopated, African percussion beat while Kelly sings, "I can feel the spirit of the nation/ And I can feel my wings riding the wind." The choir backs him up with an uplifting, wordless chant under the chorus "That's the sign of a victory." He also manages to incorporate the phrases, "let the games begin," "we can achieve anything, including the impossible," "raise the flag" and "scream like you want to win."

Somalian/Canadian rapper K'Naan also went the inspirational route with his official Coca-Cola anthem, "Wavin' Flag," which has the rising-up-from-oppression vibe of a classic Bob Marley tune. With assists from Will.I.Am and David Guetta, the soaring tune camouflages a song about poverty and oppression in a heart-stirring call to arms to let your banner fly.

Pepsi wasn't about to get aced out of this action, so it recruited Akon and Keri Hilson to make a video with soccer stars Lionel Messi of Argentina and Ivory Coast's Didier Drogba called "Oh Africa," as part of the celebration of the continent's first hosting duty for the global event. It also has the obligatory South African township jive stomp, and like the other songs, is as much about Africa's spot in the sun as it is about sports.

And because there's probably some rule about Bono having to participate in any globally unifying event, the U2 singer hooked up with Beninese singer Angelique Kidjo and John Legend for a thumping, Afro-pop cover of Curtis Mayfield's "Move On Up."

Another cover that was recorded as an unofficial English World Cup anthem is a banging remake of Tears for Fears' "Shout" called "Shout for England," laid down by U.K. rapper Dizzee Rascal and actor James Corden at the behest of former "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell. It has a thundering chorus that adds a thick acid-house beat to the original tune as Rascal spits lyrics to inspire England's soccer stars to victory.

For no apparent reason, New York's We Are Scientists have also offered up a song for England's club, the appropriately named, "Goal! England," a slice of T. Rex-inspired garage rock thunder that features the unforgettable lines, "Kicking the kicking the kicking the kicking the ball/ Kicking it into the goal/ Go, go, go, go go ... England!"

Then there is the official FIFA Mascot song from Cuban-American rapper Pitbull, who hooked up with South African group TKZee and England's Dario G to let the dogs out for the high NRG club banger "Game On." Taking things a little less seriously is U.K. legend Robbie Williams, who formed "The Squad" with comedians Russell Brand, Daniel Baddiel and Frank Skinner to record a remake of England's unofficial soccer song, "Three Lions." The mash of opera, a soaring choir singing, "It's coming home/ Football's coming home," a bouncy, Madness-like ska pop vibe and self-deprecating soccer-centric lyrics about England's chances of regaining football glory make for a lovably comic mess.

Among the other acts on the FIFA-sanctioned soundtrack to the international soccer showdown, Listen Up!: The Official 2010 FIFA World Cup Album, are: Nneka ("Viva Africa"), Matisyahu featuring Nameless ("One Day"), Wyclef Jean, J Pre, Jazmine Sullivan and B. Howard ("Ke Nako"), and late South African opera singer Siphiwo Ntshebe (known as the "black Pavarotti") featuring former South African president Nelson Mandela ("Hope").

And of course, if none of these tunes provide the right kick, there's always the unofficial World Cup Song contest, with nearly 400 entries. The top five is currently dominated by England, with Christian singer Gerry Asmus' "It's Our Game," a flowery pop piffle about King George and English pride, holding down the top spot at press time.

FIFA World Cup Kick-Off Celebration Concert

FIFA World Cup Kick-Off Celebration Concert now Shakira singing

WAKA WAKA-SHAKIRA this time for africa MUSIC VIDEO free download from youtube

Official World Cup 2010 song by Shakira

The official song for the 2010 World Cup is announced. It is called Waka Waka: This time for Africa and I quite like it. You can watch the video below and if you give it a few listens, I'm sure you will like it too. It is very African and I guess that is what they wanted.

The song is sung by Shakira and produced by South Africa's Freshlyground and while some South African press are knocking it - as if they needed an excuse to knock something, we're going to give it a big thumbs up.

You will be able to buy this in shops this weekend I think or get it from your regular download location, but for now, why not just click play and listen to it.

Download from YouTube.com