Accra: Global pop icon Shakira has unveiled the reasoning behind her decision to collaborate with Nigerian Afrobeats sensation Burna Boy for the official 2026 FIFA World Cup anthem, titled "Dai Dai." The Colombian singer emphasized the need for a strong masculine voice to match the Afrobeat-inspired sound of the track.
According to Ghana Web, Shakira discussed her choice during an interview on the Capital Evening Show with Jimmy Hill. She explained that the energy and musical direction of the song demanded a male vocal presence. "Well, once I had the song, I felt that I really needed a male vocal, a male voice in the song. I don't know, because the World Cup carries a big male energy, you know? And so I was like, who can give me that, you know, very masculine voice that I want in this sort of like Afrobeat setting?" she elaborated.
The song, "Dai Dai," is a blend of several musical influences, with its core rooted in Afrobeats. Shakira noted, "Because this song is very Afrobeat-y, but it also has some Caribbean sounds and a little bit of, like, R and B-ish, but it's mostly Afrobeat." Her admiration for Burna Boy's music and a long-standing desire to collaborate with him further fueled her choice.
Shakira recounted the process of securing Burna Boy's contribution to the track. Despite an initial delay of about 20 days, she remained hopeful for the collaboration. "So I called him. I'm like, 'Hey, are you down to do this?' And he's like, 'Yeah, why not?' It took a while. I was waiting for 20 days for him to send something. And I'm like, 'Okay, maybe he's not going to do it.'"
Eventually, Burna Boy delivered his verse, which Shakira described as "absolutely perfect." She expressed that his voice complemented the track seamlessly, stating, "I think his voice is just. It works so well on this song. So well. I couldn't imagine anybody else on it, actually."
Shakira's determination to have Burna Boy on the track was unwavering. "I was so obsessed about having Burna on this track. I'm so glad that I got him," she admitted.
PUNCH Online reports that "Dai Dai" was performed as the official song during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Shakira and Burna Boy first showcased the track at the opening ceremony on June 11, 2026, at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City. They reunited for a performance during the first-ever FIFA World Cup final halftime show on July 19, 2026, at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, accompanied by Uganda's Ghetto Kids dance group.
The collaboration marks Shakira's latest contribution to FIFA World Cup music, following the success of "Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)," the official song of the 2010 tournament. Burna Boy's involvement highlighted the rising influence of Afrobeats on the global music scene, with "Dai Dai" emerging as one of the tournament's major hits.