Colombian pop superstar Shakira has opened up on why Nigerian Grammy-winning singer Burna Boy was her preferred choice for the official 2026 FIFA World Cup anthem, Dai Dai, saying she needed a powerful male voice to complement the song’s Afrobeat-inspired sound.
Speaking during an interview on the Capital Evening Show with Jimmy Hill aired on July 8, Shakira explained that she immediately envisioned a male vocalist after completing the record, noting that Burna Boy possessed the exact energy she was looking for.
According to the singer, the World Cup is associated with a strong masculine presence, making it important to find an artist whose voice could match the atmosphere while fitting seamlessly into the song’s Afrobeat direction.
“I felt I really needed a male vocal. The World Cup carries a big male energy, so I asked myself who could bring that strong masculine voice into this Afrobeat setting,” she said.
Shakira described Dai Dai as a fusion of Afrobeats, Caribbean rhythms and subtle R&B influences, although she noted that Afrobeats remains the dominant sound throughout the track.
The global music star also revealed that she had admired Burna Boy’s work for years and had long hoped they would collaborate on a song.
“I’ve always loved Burna’s music and wanted to work with him,” she said.
Recalling how the collaboration came together, Shakira disclosed that Burna Boy agreed to join the project after she reached out to him directly. However, she admitted there was a period of uncertainty after waiting nearly three weeks for his contribution.
She said she briefly feared the collaboration might not happen before the Nigerian singer eventually sent his verse.
“When it finally came, it was magic. His voice fit the song perfectly. I honestly can’t imagine anyone else on it,” she said.
Shakira added that she remained determined to feature Burna Boy on the record throughout the process.
“I was so obsessed with having Burna on this track, and I’m really glad it worked out,” she added.
Dai Dai served as the official anthem of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Shakira and Burna Boy debuting the song during the tournament’s opening ceremony at Mexico City’s Estadio Azteca on June 11.
The pair later reunited for a performance at the inaugural FIFA World Cup final halftime show at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19, alongside Uganda’s Ghetto Kids dance troupe.
The collaboration marked another milestone in Shakira’s long association with FIFA World Cup music following the global success of Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) in 2010, while also underscoring the growing international influence of Afrobeats through Burna Boy’s involvement.
