Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) – Shakira

Name: Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)

Genre:

1st Genre: Afro-fusion

2nd Genre: Pop

Beats Per Minute (BPM):

The song has 128 beats per minute. The song has a moderate tempo typical of Sufi-inspired tracks. (Note: This song is not Sufi-inspired, but rather influenced by African rhythms.)

Sur Scale:

The song is composed in the key of B♭ Minor scale.

Estimated Budget:

The estimated budget for “Vaka Vaka“ hasn’t been officially disclosed, but based on industry standards for Afro-fusion Pop songs and music videos, here’s an estimate:

Production details:

• Beat Production & Licensing – The song is based on the Golden Sounds’ 1986 song “Zangaléwa”, which was sampled and adapted by Shakira and her production team.
• Studio Recording & Engineering –The song was recorded at The Lair Studio (Los Angeles, California) and other professional studios.
• Mixing Engineer: Gustavo Celis
• Mastering Engineer: Tom Coyne
  

Music Video Production Costs: $500,000 – $700,000

• Director & Crew – Directed by Marcus Raboy, with a professional production crew handling cinematography, lighting, and choreography.
• Set Design & Special Effects – The video features a simple studio setup with vibrant African-themed visuals, digital overlays, and FIFA World Cup 2010 footage integrated into the video.
• Editing & Post-Production – Handled by Skulley FX with color grading, FIFA footage integration, and high-energy visual cuts to match the song’s tempo.

Marketing & Promotion: $500,000 – $1 million

• Social Media & Ads – Shakira’s official accounts promoted the song through Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter, reaching millions of fans worldwide.
• TV & YouTube Promotions – The song was heavily promoted on FIFA World Cup broadcasts, sports networks (ESPN, FOX Sports), and music channels like MTV and VH1, along with targeted YouTube ad campaigns.

Total Estimated Budget: Around $2 million

The overall budget for “Rap God” (song + video + promotion) could range between $500,000 to $1 million or more. Given Eminem’s status and the song’s massive impact, the budget was likely on the higher end.

Release Date:

“Waka Waka” was released on May 7, 2010, as a single.

Reach

• YouTube: The official YouTube video of “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” has garnered over 3.5 billion views.
• Spotify: The song has gained over 1 billion streams on Spotify, highlighting its impact on listeners.
• Apple Music & Other Platforms: The song continues to perform well across streaming platforms, securing millions of plays on Apple Music, Amazon Music, and other services.
• Song Duration: The official music video song is 3 minutes and 31 seconds long.
• Release Date: The song was released on May 7, 2010, as a single.
• Actors in Music Video: The music video features several football stars, including Lionel Messi, Gerard Piqué, Cristiano Ronaldo, and other players from the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
• Singer: Shakira

Credits

Direction: The direction is done by Marcus Raboy

Lyrics: Shakira, John Hill, Jorge Drexler, Emile Kojidie

Music: Shakira, John Hill

Song Lyrics (with translation):

The time has come, the walls fall
Llegó el momento, caen las murallas

The only fair of battles is going to begin
Va a comenzar la única justa de las batallas

The blow does not hurt, there is no fear
No duele el golpe, no existe el miedo

Dust yourself off, stand up, and get back in the game
Quítate el polvo, ponte de pie, y vuelves al ruedo

And the pressure is felt
Y la presión se siente

Your people wait on you
Espera en ti tu gente

Now let’s go for everything
Ahora vamos por todo

And luck is with you
Y te acompaña la suerte

Tsamina mina zangalewa
Tsamina mina zangalewa

Because this is Africa
Porque esto es África

Tsamina mina, eh eh
Tsamina mina, eh eh

Waka waka, eh eh
Waka waka, eh eh

Tsamina mina zangalewa
Tsamina mina zangalewa

Because this is Africa
Porque esto es África

Listen to your God and you will not be alone
Oye a tu Dios y no estarás solo

You came here to shine, you have it all
Llegaste aquí para brillar, lo tienes todo

The hour is approaching, it is time
La hora se acerca, es el momento

You’re going to win every battle, I already feel it
Vas a ganar cada batalla, ya lo presiento

You have to start from scratch
Hay que empezar de cero

to touch the sky
Para tocar el cielo

Now let’s go for everything
Ahora vamos por todo

And we all go for them
Y todos vamos por ellos

Tsamina mina zangalewa
Tsamina mina zangalewa

Because this is Africa
Porque esto es África

Tsamina mina, eh eh
Tsamina mina, eh eh

Waka waka, eh eh
Waka waka, eh eh

Tsamina mina zangalewa
Tsamina mina zangalewa

Anawa ah ah
Anawa ah ah

Tsamina mina, eh eh
Tsamina mina, eh eh

Waka waka, eh eh
Waka waka, eh eh

Tsamina mina zangalewa
Tsamina mina zangalewa

Because this is Africa
Porque esto es África

Tsamina mina
Tsamina mina

Tsamina mina zangalewa
Tsamina mina zangalewa

Because this is Africa
Porque esto es África

Tsamina mina, eh eh
Tsamina mina, eh eh

Waka waka, eh eh
Waka waka, eh eh

Tsamina mina zangalewa
Tsamina mina zangalewa

Anawa ah ah
Anawa ah ah

Tsamina mina, eh eh
Tsamina mina, eh eh

Waka waka, eh eh
Waka waka, eh eh

Tsamina mina zangalewa
Tsamina mina zangalewa

Because this is Africa
Porque esto es África

Django, huh huh
Django, eh eh

Django, huh huh
Django, eh eh

Tsamina mina zangalewa
Tsamina mina zangalewa

Anawa ah ah
Anawa ah ah

Django, huh huh
Django, eh eh

Django, huh huh
Django, eh eh

Tsamina mina zangalewa
Tsamina mina zangalewa

Anawa ah ah
Anawa ah ah

Because this is Africa
Porque esto es África

Because this is Africa
Porque esto es África

We’re all Africa
We’re all Africa

We’re all Africa
We’re all Africa

Review:

Shakira’s Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) bursts open with an energetic rhythm, immediately pulling listeners into its vibrant, celebratory atmosphere. The song blends Afro-fusion beats with uplifting pop, creating an infectious anthem of unity and perseverance. Through her dynamic vocals, Shakira conveys a powerful message of resilience, urging listeners to rise, fight, and embrace victory. The lyrics, enriched with cultural depth, highlight strength and determination, making it the perfect World Cup anthem. With an unforgettable chorus and pulsating beats, Waka Waka remains an iconic, feel-good song that transcends borders, igniting a universal sense of victory.

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