Songs like Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)

February 5, 2012 11:56 AM

Please recommend songs like Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) the 2010 FIFA World Cup song

I've just discovered Waka Waka which, for some reason, quite miraculously, bypassed me when the World Cup was on in 2010. My toddler loves to dance along to this so I was wondering if anyone could recommend similar music. I've already listened to associated World Cup music, but am looking more for music with a similar vibe, rather than simply music written for sporting events.

Language isn't particularly important, so any and all recommendations are welcome. I have had limited exposure to African music (mostly choral), and do like the rhythms, harmonies they have so a steer in that direction would be great too.

posted by apcmwh to Media & Arts (16 answers total)

Paul Simon's Graceland?
posted by i_am_a_fiesta at 12:36 PM on February 5, 2012

Carrying on the Africa theme;

Hakuna Matata - from The Lion King Soundtrack
Jambo Bwana - seeemed to be an African "standard" in Kenya and Tanzania, but maybe that was just for the benefit of us tourists.

Sorry at work so can't pull up YouTube links
posted by trialex at 12:58 PM on February 5, 2012

Buraka Som Sistema
posted by empath at 1:08 PM on February 5, 2012

I actually like that song a lot, along with K'Naan's Waving the Flag. Never posted the question because I just don't have high expectations for a lot of listings for international music here. It is also really hard to match a beat and Waka Waka is a bit unique. Here are a few songs that may meet your criteria (trying for the beat, that's it).

• Johnny Clegg and Savuka's Scatterlings of Africa and perhaps Jongosi.

• Amadou &Mariam's Senegal Fast Food

• Baaba Maal's Gorel (lively but not the beat)

• Josh's Mahi Ve (completely different part of the world, though)

The list is sparse and I do listen to many African musicians,but they don't hit that beat, so I'm stopping because it may go far away from the direction that you want to go
posted by Wolfster at 1:12 PM on February 5, 2012 [3 favorites]

Check out Mamani Keïta (This song is Nenibali, and not Sinikan as indicated.) Here's another, the title track from her latest disc Gagner L'Argent Français.

Your toddler might like Tiken Jah Fakoly if he likes reggae vibes.

My one year old nephew is mesmerised by both Playing for Change CDs. Featured is what I'd describe as relatively modern "folk" music from around the world, many being well known like "Stand by Me" and "Don't Worry". They have a whole YouTube channel. Ny nephew's favourite however is this tune from Chennai, India -- Chanda Mama.

And finally, you might like the soundtrack to The No.1 Ladies' Detective Agency.

Enjoy!
posted by MelanieL at 1:17 PM on February 5, 2012

Pandora recognizes that song as a possible choice, so using their algorithm to find similar music is an avenue you could explore.
posted by mmascolino at 1:27 PM on February 5, 2012

Oh, I like that song, too! I went through my other songs in that playlist and the best one I could come up with is E Garnison by Danez Prigent.

Not because it's particularly similar to Waka Waka but because for some reason I could see a toddler dancing to it and that image made me laugh. (Be sure to get at least 30 seconds in to when the singing starts). It's upbeat and the language and musical accompaniment are definitely foreign sounding.
posted by losvedir at 2:39 PM on February 5, 2012

Response by poster: The dancing primarily consists of squatting up and down and certainly makes us laugh! These are all really great suggestions. Please keep them coming.
posted by apcmwh at 2:50 PM on February 5, 2012

Well, the original of Waka Waka is actually by a Camaroonian group called Golden Sounds. I'd look into their oeuvre, and into makossa in general. I'd also check out Michael Jackson's stuff from the 1980s, Elvis (for some reason little kids love Elvis), and Shakira's "Ojos Asi", Carlos Vives' "Si Si Si" and Bebe's "Malo" for other songs that make little kids rock out.

This article is a really interesting read, and mentions a bunch of great artists and songs: http://www.langaa-rpcig.net/+Undermining-African-Intellectual+.html
posted by spunweb at 5:17 PM on February 5, 2012

On my phone, so I can't post links, but try checking out The Very Best and perhaps Vampire Weekend for some more upbeat, African/African-inspired beats.
posted by Gori Girl at 5:24 PM on February 5, 2012

There's also MIA (who'd be more world fusion-y), particularly "Boyz", VV Brown (she's got some really bouncy stuff), and this REALLY great group called Soulfege. My favorite song of theirs is their cover of "Sweet Mother," but the new album, Afropolitan, is really great too, and is a free DL.

http://www.derrickashong.com/music/
posted by spunweb at 5:27 PM on February 5, 2012

If you're not specifically looking for African music, I wonder if the genre you're really after is anthems. If so, may I suggest Chumbawamba?
posted by DarlingBri at 5:59 PM on February 5, 2012

Here's a happy, infectious, dancy song if that's what you're looking for.

This video's really corny, but there's a dance that goes with the song, which you can sort of see the audience doing.
posted by topoisomerase at 7:41 PM on February 5, 2012

I enjoy Michael W. Smith's Seed to Sow. Yes he's a Christian singer but the song itself is not particularly religious. Hang in till the first chorus - it starts out slow.
posted by IndigoRain at 11:43 PM on February 5, 2012

Almost forgot - Shima Uta (Wikipedia) as sung by Alfredo Casero was the song for the Argentinian's 2002 FIFA World Cup. I much prefer the dance remix, but here is the original.
posted by IndigoRain at 11:53 PM on February 5, 2012

This might be too out fashioned for your little guy, but dang it's hard not to dance to Pata Pata.
posted by The corpse in the library at 9:41 AM on February 6, 2012