‘I Couldn’t Imagine Anybody Else’ — Shakira on Burna Boy Collaboration

‘I Couldn’t Imagine Anybody Else’ — Shakira on Burna Boy Collaboration

Colombian music superstar Shakira has opened up about her decision to feature Nigerian Grammy-winning singer Burna Boy on the 2026 FIFA World Cup song, Dai Dai.

Speaking on a recent episode of the Capital Evening Show with Jimmy Hill, Shakira said she wanted a male voice that could bring a distinct energy to the song, and Burna Boy immediately stood out to her.

The global pop star also revealed that her admiration for the Nigerian singer played a major role in her decision to work with him.

“I have always loved Burna. I was obsessed with getting him on the track, so I called him,” she said.

Shakira said the collaboration felt so natural that she could not imagine another artiste taking Burna Boy’s place on the song.

“I couldn’t imagine anybody else on it, actually,” she added.

Since its release, Dai Dai has reportedly achieved major milestones on the global music scene.

The song became the first track to top Spotify’s newly launched Global Music Video Chart and also made Burna Boy the first African artiste to reach number one on Apple Music’s Global Top Songs chart.

The song has also contributed to a series of records for the Nigerian singer, including becoming the African artiste with the highest number of monthly listeners in history on Spotify and YouTube Music.

Burna Boy further made history as the first African artiste to perform at the newly introduced FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show.