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American Soccer Music 2.0: From All Fours to Upright

by Miriti Murungi

Alexi Lalas CD

“USA! USA! USA!”

Yes, I get it. You’re American. Me too.

That’s where we started. Armed with knowledge of our country of residence and an ability to abbreviate, we launched the USA chant on unsuspecting eardrums. Unsure of what else to say, other than perhaps, “Ref, you suck,” or other expletive-ridden versions like, “Ref you [insert expletive] suck,” we pushed the USA chant to its limits, alternating between stiff chants and Jersey Shore-esque fist pumping while repeating the same three letters over and over again. And I’m glad we did it, lest we be confused with our neighbors to the north. You know, the ones with the socialized medicine. (more…)

Culture

Shakira’s Remake of “Waka Waka” Hurts My Soul

by Miriti Murungi

Zangalewa

I’m sure by now many of you have heard Shakira’s “Waka Waka”, a white-washed remake of an old Cameroonian song by Zangalewa masquerading as a World Cup anthem. As I’ve heard Shakira’s version throughout the tournament, I’ve been quite confident that puppies somewhere have been dying. And then something odd happened. I started humming “Waka Waka” everywhere and I’ve been hating myself ever since. (more…)

Culture

Fringe Artists Shakira and Alicia Keys Support BLK JKS and Tinariwen

by The Chairman

African Drumming

As I’m sure you are well aware by now, Alicia Keys, Shakira and the Black Eyed Peas will be participating in the FIFA Kick-Off Celebration Concert for the World Cup in June.  The mainstream stable of stars performing has been well documented.  However, less attention has been directed towards the local, less internationally-recognized musicians who will also be gracing the stage in SA.  As one Guardian writer put things: (more…)

Culture

The Song That Drove South Africans Crazy (featuring Benni McCarthy?)

by Clive Longbottom-Fellow, Esq.

TKZee and Benni

For those of you going to South Africa for the World Cup, you’ll have some choices to make.  You can spend the entire time hanging out at spots listening to U2 and drum and bass and feel as if you’ve never left home, or you can seek out some spots that will play some kwaito, which shouldn’t be hard to find.

Kwaito is a style of South African music that emerged in the early 1990s that sounds like someone threw some hip-hop, house, and and a touch of South African seasoning into a blender. (more…)

Culture

When Reggaeton and Football Collide

by Clive Longbottom-Fellow, Esq.

Daddy Yankee Mundial

A few days ago we gave you a post on football-inspired music, paying tribute to the golden voice of Diego Maradona, Manu Chao, and Jorge Ben.  Now we’ve got some more for you.  Who’s fatherly, was previously named one of Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people, has two thumbs, and just released a football song?  Wrong.  It’s Daddy Yankee.  If you looked at the picture before answering the question, you cheated.  No reggaeton for you.  (Video after the break) (more…)

Culture

Football-Inspired Music & Maradona Singing a Tribute to Himself

by Clive Longbottom-Fellow, Esq.

Maradona and Manu Chao

So you’ve been asking around for new music?  Well these aren’t exactly new, but here are a few fantastic songs from South America that highlight the intersection of music and football.  First up — the great Manu Chao (I know he’s French).  The song is called La Vida Tombola, and as you can tell from the video, it’s about that lovable pudgy guy, Diego Maradona.  There’s some quality early footage of young Maradona.  Check it out after the jump.

(more…)

Culture

Making Music with Didier Drogba

by Clive Longbottom-Fellow, Esq.

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Football for Change

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Football for Change is a feature in which Nutmeg Radio highlights work being done by organizations across the globe using soccer to promote development.

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    Our team of all-stars. Click on a face for bio.

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