Shakira, Pitbull, J-Lo locked in World Cup song battle
Official World Cup theme "We Are One" panned by critics, fans
The biggest rivalry of the World Cup may not even be on the field, but in the competitive world of commercial music.
Things have been less-than-rosy for Jennifer Lopez (J-Lo, Jenny from the Block, etc.) and Pitbull (Lil' Chico, Mr. 305, Dog-Man) after the dynamic musical duo released their official World Cup song, "We Are One (Ole Ola).”
The problem, according to some, is that it doesn’t highlight Brazilian culture (aside from female samba dancers who have major roles in Pitbull’s portions). The song is performed mostly in English and Spanish, and chiefly features two artists that statistics show are not from Brazil.
To get right out in front of the topic, “We Are One” also includes Brazil’s Claudia Leitte, whose sole verse, sung in Portuguese, lasts 14 seconds before Pitbull shows up again with more samba dancers.
Fans were so upset about the song that they invented a Twitter hashtag to voice their frustration.
It is “VoltaWakaWaka,” which references Shakira’s well-received World Cup theme from South Africa. The hashtag acts as a plea for the massive hit to return and become the 2014 anthem.
Shakira in fact has released her own World Cup song. It will be released on the same FIFA-sanctioned album as “We Are One,” but it isn’t the official song. It was beat out for the honour in what we can only surmise was a Wipeout-style obstacle course challenge between Shakira and Pitbull, with J-Lo acting as a wildcard.
Now, in what can only be considered a battle the likes of which hasn’t been seen since Brazil-Argentina or Turun Palloseura-Inter Turku,* the debate has begun: which song is better?
Both music videos are below. You be the judge.
*Storied rivalry in the Veikkausliiga, Finland’s top league
“We Are One”
Quick TAKE
"If you’re not sure which country the World Cup is in this year then this is the song for you."
“La La La”
Quick TAKE
"A beautiful marriage between two of Shakira’s loves, soccer and Lego. It also has tigers. And polo somehow."
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