Popular artists featured on the official album of the World Cup
The premature death of Nelson Mandela’s great-granddaughter, Zenani Mandela, left many people shaken and confused, but soccer fans still managed to brave smiles at Thursday’s World Cup opening ceremony. Zenani was killed in a car accident Thursday on the way home from one of the tournament’s opening concerts. The former South African president was scheduled to appear for the remaining festivities, but understandably withdrew from the ceremony.  South Africa was certainly shaken by the tragic news and it was courageous of the attendees at the kick-off ceremony at Orlando Stadium in Soweto, Johannesburg, to try and enjoy taking part in the celebration of the biggest soccer event in the world.
Before the real stars of the World Cup stepped onto the field to show off their soccer skills, popular singers took their place on stage to pay tribute to the players with a live concert. Some artists who performed were John Legend, Shakira, Alicia Keys, Angelique Kidjo and the Black Eyed Peas, as well as a few South African acts, including the Parlotones, Thandiswa Mazwai, Hip Hop Pantsula and Timothy Moloi.
R&B artist R. Kelly was a highlight of the ceremony with a performance of his song, “Sign of a Victory,†which was chosen to be the World Cup’s official anthem. Kelly sang the uplifting tune with the South African gospel choir, Soweto Spiritual Singers. Proceeds from the single will be given to 20 Centres for 2010, the official charity of the FIFA World Cup.  The campaign’s goal is to raise 10 million USD to build 20 Football for Hope centers in Africa to promote health, education and soccer to underprivileged communities.
Kelly, along with many other artists, is featured on the World Cup’s official album, Listen Up! Shakira and the band Freshlyground also appear on the CD with their collaboration, “Waka Waka (This Time For Africa.)†In addition to “Sign of a Victory,†Shakira’s single is honored as an official song of the prestigious soccer event. Providing the tournament’s mascot song are Pitbull, TKZee and Dario G with their single, “Game On.† Other songs include Angelique Kidjo and John Legend’s “Move On Up†and J Pre, Wyclef, Jazmine Sullivan, and B Howard’s collaboration on “Ke Nako.†Opera singer Siphiwo Ntshebe’s “Hope,†which features a message from former president of South Africa Nelson Mandela, is another track on the album. Ntshebe’s appearance on the CD is bittersweet, for as yet another tragedy to stun the soccer world, the singer died a couple of weeks ago from meningitis. Ntshebe had been personally chosen by Mandela to perform at the ceremony in Soweto.
The official World Cup album is in stores now and the tournament will air on ESPN from June 11 to July 11. ABC will be showing select matches on weekends throughout the month.
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