A new official Fifa World Cup single was released on Friday, featuring Lebanese artist Myriam Fares alongside rapper Nicki Minaj and Colombian singer Maluma. With a catchy, upbeat tempo and cross-cultural influences, the single, titled Tukoh Taka, is now available on music streaming platforms.
The single features a combination of styles from the trio, but each brings their own style as they sing and rap about welcoming fans to the Fifa World Cup, uniting the world and celebrating together.
All three artists posted teasers on their Instagram accounts for the music video, which is scheduled for release at 7pm UAE time. The teaser shows clips of football games and cheering fans in between shots of Minaj, Maluma and Fares performing against distinct backgrounds that represent their style and culture, while still collectively sharing the same look and feel.
Minaj raps in a bus being driven across the desert to a game, while women clad in gold outfits inspired by belly dancers perform behind her. Maluma appears in a desert at sunset with a giant football sculpture behind him, while Fares, dressed in a blue belly dancing-inspired outfit, plays with gold cymbals between her fingers as she performs in the desert flanked by male dancers playing Arabic drums.
This isn’t the first time the Fifa World Cup has released a single featuring cross-cultural and cross-continental international artists.
Hayya Hayya (Better Together) was the first 2022 World Cup soundtrack single, released in April. The single featured RnB artist Trinidad Cardona, Nigerian-American singer Davido and Qatari singer Aisha. The song calls for global unity and bringing the world together through football.
In August, Arhbo, featuring Puerto Rican reggae star Ozuna and French hip-hop artist Gims was released. Sung in Spanish, French and English with Arabian-influenced instrumentals, the song is about building bridges and setting aside differences through the game of football. The song was followed by another release in September, The World Is Yours To Take, by rapper Lil Baby.
Then in October, Fifa released Light the Sky featuring Emirati-Yemeni artist Balqees, Moroccan-Canadian singer Nora Fatehi, Iraqi singer and actress Rahma Riad, and Moroccan singer Manal. The song celebrates the inclusion of female referees at the first World Cup in the region.
The World Cup kicks off in Qatar on November 21 and will run until December 18, featuring 32 of the world's best national teams.
See football fans arriving in Qatar for the World Cup - in pictures
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Football is the focus for this smartphone photographer on the Corniche in Doha. AFP -
Argentina fans at the Corniche. AFP -
A wave from Mexican fans. AFP -
A Brazilian takes a breather at the Flags Square. AFP -
France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris is emblazoned across the side of a building. AFP -
This fan only has eyes for Brazil. AFP -
Fun at the fort. Supporters in the Corniche area. Getty -
Fans fly the flag for Senegal. Getty -
Smiles and sombreros from Mexican fans at the Corniche. Getty -
This way for the World Cup. Workers paint directions on the road in Doha. AFP -
World Cup banners hang over the street in Doha. AFP -
Tunisia supporters gather in front of their team's hotel in Doha. AFP -
Argentina fans dance with drums at a popular tourist area in Souq Waqif. Reuters -
Moroccan football fans at the Corniche waterfront in Doha. Getty -
Fans pose in front of the Qatar 2022 countdown clock in Doha. AFP -
A Brazilian fan at Doha Corniche ahead of the Fifa World Cup. Getty -
A football fan wears a traditional Arab head dress with the flag of Ecuador in Souq Waqif, Doha. Reuters -
Arab fans with Tunisia and Algeria flags cheer at a popular tourist area in Souq Waqif. Reuters -
Fans from Argentina cheer at Flag Plaza in Doha. AP -
A fan of Ghana's national football team poses beside the Fifa World Cup countdown clock in Doha. AFP -
A Qatar fan waves the national flag. AFP
