Shakira’s ‘Waka Waka (This Is The Time For Africa)’ Chosen As Official FIFA World Cup 2010 Song

PRNewsFoto/Sony Music Entertainment

FIFA and Sony Music Entertainment today announced that Waka Waka (This Time For Africa), written and co-produced by global superstar Shakira, has been chosen as the Official Song of the upcoming 2010 FIFA World Cup(TM) in South Africa. The song will be performed by Shakira together with South African artist Freshlyground at the Closing Ceremony before the FIFA World Cup(TM) Final on July 11 in Johannesburg Soccer City Stadium. All proceeds from the song will benefit FIFA’s Official Campaign of the 2010 FIFA World Cup(TM) “20 Centers for 2010.”

“I am honored that Waka Waka (This Time For Africa) was chosen to be part of the excitement and the legacy of the 2010 FIFA World Cup,” said Shakira. “The FIFA World Cup is a miracle of global excitement, connecting every country, race, religion and condition around a single passion. It represents an event that has the power to unite and integrate, and that’s what this song is about.”

Shakira continued, “African music is so inspiring and is poised to take its place on the global pop culture stage. I was proud to be able to work with one of South Africa’s most acclaimed groups, Freshlyground.” The song was co-produced by Shakira’s frequent collaborator, John Hill.

Check out Shakira’s ‘Waka Waka (This Is The Time For Africa)’ –

U.K. Haiti Benefit Single ‘Everybody Hurts’ Debuts At No. 1

Simon Cowell may not be the nicest man in the entertainment business, but there’s no denying that he is generous and willing to lend a hand to those in need.

Syco Music/Sony Music Entertainment’s charity cover of R.E.M.’s “Everybody Hurts,” which was released under the name Helping Haiti to raise funds for victims of the Haiti earthquake, topped the new U.K. singles chart at No. 1.

Helping Haiti sold 453,000 copies last week to become the U.K.’s fastest-selling charity single of this century.

Susan Boyle Sets Record With Album Pre-Order On Amazon

The upcoming debut album by British singing sensation Susan Boyle has become the largest global CD pre-order in the history of Amazon.com, the online retailer said on Thursday.

Boyle’s album “I Dreamed a Dream” will be released on November 24 by Sony Music Entertainment. It is the first album since the dowdy 48 year-old church volunteer from Scotland took the Internet by storm with her unlikely star turn on the TV show “Britain’s Got Talent” in April.

Amazon said that Boyle’s album was not only the top CD pre-order in the United States, but also the biggest around the world in the 14-year history of it’s web site.

Amazon declined to give their pre-order figures but said “I Dreamed a Dream” surpassed the 2008 record held by “Supermarket Fantasy” from Japanese rock band Mr. Children, 2007′s “Not Too Late” by U.S. singer Norah Jones, and British group Take That’s “Never Forget: The Ultimate Collection” in 2008.

“Susan’s album is clearly capturing the hearts of our customers around the globe,” said Craig Pape, senior manager of music at Amazon.com.

Will you be picking up a copy?