Shakira's 2010 World Cup anthem "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)" heavily samples the 1986 Cameroonian song "Zangalewa" by the group Golden Sounds, according to Africa Facts Zone. The beat, melody and chorus of Shakira's version were taken from the original without permission, the report stated. "Zangalewa" was originally a satirical critique of African military officers who collaborated with colonial powers, using military jargon developed by Cameroonian sharpshooters during World War II. Golden Sounds has since reached out to Sony Music seeking proper credit for their work. Shakira, in an interview with the Associated Press, said the lyrics to "Waka Waka" came to her unexpectedly while walking from a barn to her house on a farm in Uruguay ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. She claimed she heard it as a Cameroonian chant, which she said she first encountered through a Spanish-language cover. Shakira's version became a global hit, selling over 10 million copies worldwide and reaching number one in 15 countries. As of 2021, the official video had amassed 2.9 billion views on YouTube. The song achieved multi-Platinum status in several countries, including 12x Platinum in Sweden, 6x Platinum in Spain and Italy, and Platinum in the USA, UK, France and Finland, among others. Despite its commercial success, the original creators from Cameroon were not initially credited. The Paradise News confirmed that Golden Sounds, not Shakira, are the original performers of the "Waka Waka" rhythm and chorus.
Shakira claimed inspiration struck during a walk on her Uruguayan farm, yet the core of her hit came from a Cameroonian protest song absent of attribution. Golden Sounds created "Zangalewa" as a critique of colonial collaboration, a message lost when repackaged for a global pop audience. The song's commercial triumph contrasts with the lack of recognition given to its originators. Credit only emerged after the fact, not by design.
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