Global music icon Shakira has revealed why Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Burna Boy was her top choice for the official 2026 FIFA World Cup anthem, Dai Dai, saying she wanted a powerful masculine voice to complement the song’s Afrobeat-inspired sound.

Speaking during an interview on the Capital Evening Show with Jimmy Hill, which aired on July 8, the Colombian singer explained that the energy of the World Cup and the musical direction of the track made Burna Boy the perfect collaborator.

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According to Shakira, she knew the song needed a strong male vocal to balance its vibrant sound.

“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 someone who could bring that very masculine voice in this Afrobeat setting,” she said.

She described Dai Dai as a fusion of Afrobeats, Caribbean rhythms and elements of R&B, noting that Afrobeats remains the song’s dominant influence.

Shakira also disclosed that she had admired Burna Boy’s artistry for years and had always hoped to collaborate with him.

“I always loved Burna. I always wanted to do something with him,” she said.

The Grammy-winning singer revealed that although Burna Boy initially delayed sending his verse for nearly 20 days, she remained hopeful that the collaboration 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,” she recalled.

However, she said the wait was worth it after the Nigerian star eventually delivered what she described as the “perfect” contribution.

“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 further admitted she was determined to have Burna Boy featured on the track.

“I was so obsessed about having Burna on this track. I’m so glad that I got him,” she added.

Dai Dai served as the official anthem of the 2026 FIFA World Cup and was first performed by Shakira and Burna Boy during the tournament’s opening ceremony on June 11 at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City.

The pair later reunited for the historic first-ever FIFA World Cup final halftime show on July 19 at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, alongside Uganda’s renowned dance group, Ghetto Kids.

The collaboration marked Shakira’s latest contribution to FIFA World Cup music since the global success of Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) in 2010, while Burna Boy’s appearance further cemented Afrobeats’ growing influence on the international stage.

Nollywood actress Destiny Etiko has opened up about losing ₦5 million after placing a bet on the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, saying the painful experience has convinced her to quit gambling for good.

The actress shared the revelation on her Instagram page on Monday, shortly after Spain defeated defending champions Argentina 1-0 after extra time to lift the World Cup trophy.

SEE ALSO: Destiny Etiko Addresses Alleged Affair With Omotola Jalade’s Husband

Expressing her disappointment, Etiko wrote:
“First time betting and I lost. Will never try it again. My 5M gone. In fact am done watching football. Anxiety almost killed me.”

Although she did not reveal the exact details of the bet, her Instagram Story posts during the final showed she was rooting for Argentina to retain the title.

Before kick-off, she confidently declared:
“Argentina all the way. Who can’t wait?”
However, as Spain dominated large spells of the encounter and Argentina struggled to create chances, the actress’ confidence quickly turned into frustration.

In another post during the game, she lamented “This ball tough o. Argentina is pissing me off.”

Despite Argentina’s struggles, Etiko reserved special praise for goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, who made a series of crucial saves to keep his side in the contest.

“The goal keeper is the savior oo,” she wrote.

Spain eventually secured a historic 1-0 victory through substitute Ferran Torres, whose extra-time strike sealed La Roja’s second FIFA World Cup title, 16 years after their maiden triumph in South Africa in 2010.

Argentina’s hopes of forcing penalties were further dented after midfielder Enzo Fernández was sent off for a second bookable offence late in the match.

Etiko’s admission has since sparked widespread reactions on social media, with many fans expressing sympathy over her loss while others cautioned against the risks associated with sports betting.

Nollywood actress Angela Okorie has sparked fresh reactions online after revealing that she burnt the outfit she wore to the burial of late actor Alex Ekubo, following advice from her godmother.

The actress made the disclosure via her Instagram page, where she explained that she was instructed not to keep clothes worn to funeral ceremonies, describing it as a traditional belief passed down through her family.

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According to her, the advice came from her godmother, who insisted that clothing worn to burials should be discarded or burnt after the event.

Angela said she chose to follow the instruction and decided to publicly share the practice with her followers.

“This is the outfit I wore to Alex’s burial. My Godmother said it is not good to have the cloth you wore to a burial around you; you burn them. So family and friends take note. I felt I should share this information. May the Lord keep and bless us with long life. Amen,” she wrote.

Her revelation has since generated mixed reactions across social media, with some users supporting the traditional belief while others questioned the necessity of burning clothing after funerals.

The actress, known for her outspoken personality and frequent online commentary, has continued to trend over her posts, which often stir public debate.

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