Colombian music icon Shakira has opened up on why she selected Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Burna Boy for the official 2026 FIFA World Cup anthem, Dai Dai, saying she wanted a powerful male voice to complement the song’s Afrobeats-inspired sound.
Key Highlights
- Shakira explains Burna Boy collaboration: The Colombian superstar said she chose Burna Boy for the official 2026 FIFA World Cup anthem, Dai Dai because she wanted a powerful male voice to complement the song’s Afrobeats sound.
- Burna Boy was first choice: Shakira revealed the Nigerian Grammy winner was her preferred collaborator from the beginning due to his distinctive voice and stage presence.
- World Cup’s “male energy”: She said the tournament carries a strong masculine energy, making it important to feature a male vocalist who could match the song’s intensity.
- Afrobeats at the core: Although Dai Dai blends Afrobeats, Caribbean rhythms, and R&B influences, Shakira said its foundation is rooted in Afrobeats.
- Longtime admiration: Shakira disclosed that she had admired Burna Boy for years and had always wanted to collaborate with him.
Speaking during an interview on the Capital Evening Show with Jimmy Hill on July 8, Shakira explained that Burna Boy was her first choice because his distinctive voice perfectly matched the energy and direction of the track.
According to the global superstar, the World Cup carries a strong masculine energy, making it important to feature a male vocalist capable of bringing that presence to the song.
“Once I had the song, I felt that I really needed a male vocal, a male voice in the song. The World Cup carries a big male energy, and I wanted a very masculine voice in this Afrobeat setting,” she said.
Shakira noted that while Dai Dai blends Afrobeats, Caribbean rhythms and elements of R&B, its core sound is rooted in Afrobeats, making Burna Boy an ideal collaborator.
She also disclosed that she had admired the Nigerian star for years and had long hoped to work with him.
“I always loved Burna. I always wanted to do something with him,” she said.
The singer revealed that although Burna Boy took about 20 days to send his verse after agreeing to the collaboration, she remained hopeful the project would come together.
“It took a while. I was waiting for 20 days for him to send something, and I thought maybe he wasn’t going to do it.
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“But then he sent his magic, and it was absolutely perfect. His voice works so well on this song. I couldn’t imagine anybody else on it.”
Shakira admitted she was determined to have Burna Boy feature on the record, describing herself as “obsessed” with securing his participation.
The duo first performed Dai Dai during the opening ceremony of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on June 11.
They reunited for another performance during the tournament’s first-ever halftime show at the World Cup final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, alongside Uganda’s renowned dance troupe, Ghetto Kids.
The collaboration marks Shakira’s latest contribution to FIFA World Cup music following the global success of Waka Waka (This Time for Africa), while Burna Boy’s appearance further highlights the growing global influence of Afrobeats.
