FIFA, the international governing body of football announced that rapper K’Naan will perform at the Fifa World Cup Kick-Off Celebration Concert next month at Orlando Stadium in Soweto/Johannesburg.
K’Naan’s song “Wavin’ Flag (The Celebration Mix)” is the anthem from the entire advertising campaign between Fifa and Coca-Cola.
Other artists previously announced to perform during the World Cup concert include Alicia Keys, The Black Eyed Peas, John Legend, Shakira, Parlotones, Amadou & Mariam and legendary South African trumpeter, Hugh Masekela.
“As South Africans we are proud to be hosting the first ever World Cup on African soil,” said Hugh Masekela. “I am very humbled and flattered to be part of this global event and am looking forward to the concert with great interest and excitement.”
Fifa’s World Cup Kick-Off Celebration is being produced in conjunction with global events company Control Room.
The concert will be broadcast live on SABC 1 on Thursday, June 10th.
K’Naan’s “Wavin’ Flags” earned the rapper a Juno for Songwriter of the Year last month during the Juno Awards.
In related news, a Spanish song writer named Rafael Vergara Hermosilla is suing Coca-Cola, claiming he was never compensated for the use of his Spanish version of “Wavin’ Flags.”