Shakira Unveils 'Waka Waka (This Time For Africa)'

Track is the official song of the 2010 World Cup and will benefit public health centers in Africa.
By James Montgomery

Shakira
Photo: JEWEL SAMAD/ AFP/ Getty Images

<P>Fresh off her duet with Rascal Flatts frontman Gary LeVox on Wednesday night's <a href="/news/articles/1638032/shakiras-gypsy-gets-a-boost-from-rascal-flatts-on-american-idol.jhtml">"American Idol,"</a> Shakira has unveiled yet <i>another</i> collaboration ... this one set to take place on an even bigger stage (yes, that's actually possible). On her <a href="http://www.shakira.com/stream/article/display/id/403" target="_blank">official site</a>, she's just posted a track called "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)," which will serve as the official theme for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, set to kick off June 11 in South Africa. The track &#8212; a collabo between Shaki and South African Afro-fusion band Freshlyground &#8212; was co-produced by John Hill, who most recently produced a pair of songs from her 2009 album <i>She Wolf.</i> Like much of her work, it's a poly-sonic affair: According to a statement on her site, the chorus of the song borrows from a favorite Cameroonian marching chant that was popularized by the group Golden Voices. Shakira and Freshlyground will perform "Waka Waka" at the World Cup closing ceremonies, held before the final match on July 11 in Johannesburg Soccer City Stadium. The song will be available for download through digital retailers the week of May 11, and will also be included on <i>Listen Up! The Official 2010 FIFA World Cup Album,</i> set to be released the week of May 31 by Sony Music Entertainment. A Spanish-language version of the track will also be available. Proceeds from the sale of the album will benefit FIFA's "20 Centers for 2010" initiative, which aims to achieve positive social change through football (that's "soccer" to us Americans) by building 20 "Football for Hope" public health centers across Africa. In addition to her performance at the closing ceremonies, Shakira will also be one of the headline performers at the official FIFA World Cup Kick-off Celebration Concert on June 10, broadcast from Orlando Stadium in Soweto/Johannesburg South Africa. A video for "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" is also set to debut in mid-May. </p>

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Source:
http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1638066/shakira-unveils-waka-waka-this-time-for-africa.jhtml

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