Latin Versions of Zangalewa
Thanks largely to West African deejays, Zangalewa barreled through Latin America. The song gained many new fans, particularly in parts of Colombia such as Cartagena and Barranquilla.
Las Chicas del Can was a meringue group from the Dominican Republic that featured a revolving cast of leggy, vivacious female singers. They called their version "El Negro No Puede."
Trafassi is a Surinamese-Dutch band that was fronted by Edgar "Bugru" Burgos. Their Zangalewa cover is also an "El Negro No Puede" cover.
In their version, Los Condos de Soledad (“The Counts of Loneliness”) from Colombia take some liberties with the lyrics, and have a lot of fun.
This is an excerpt from a 2008 prom gig by Emiro Y Los Band Biros from Barranquillera, Columbia.
We’ll finish the tour with another Columbian, one who needs little introduction. Shakira’s take on Zangalewa, “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa),” is the eighth most watched video in YouTube history, with over 700 million views as of July, 2014. Strictly speaking, it’s not a cover version. Shakira used the original chorus but supplied her own verses to craft a soccer anthem for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Nonetheless, every note rings out with the Zangalewa spirit. Listen closely and you’ll hear Emilio singing the word “Zangalewa” repeatedly after the opening vuvuzela blast. No one's quite sure how that got in there.
Shakira collaborated with Freshlyground, the South Africa Music Award (SAMA) winning Afropop band. Lead singer Zolani Mahola performs a verse in Xhosa, as she sometimes does on Freshlygound songs. Zolani is joined by singer and violinist Kyla-Rose Smith (sans violin on this occasion), and guitarist Julio "Gugs" Sigauque.
Shakira collaborated with Freshlyground, the South Africa Music Award (SAMA) winning Afropop band. Lead singer Zolani Mahola performs a verse in Xhosa, as she sometimes does on Freshlygound songs. Zolani is joined by singer and violinist Kyla-Rose Smith (sans violin on this occasion), and guitarist Julio "Gugs" Sigauque.