‘I Was Obsessed’: Shakira Reveals Why She Chose Burna Boy for 2026 World Cup Anthem ‘Dai Dai’

• Global pop icon Shakira has opened up about her decision to collaborate with Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Burna Boy on the official 2026 FIFA World Cup anthem, “Dai Dai,” saying she was determined to have him on the track and that his powerful voice made him the ideal collaborator.

Global music icon Shakira has disclosed why she chose Nigerian Afrobeats superstar Burna Boy for the official 2026 FIFA World Cup anthem, “Dai Dai,” saying she wanted a strong masculine voice to complement the song’s Afrobeat-inspired sound. Speaking in an interview that aired on the Capital Evening Show with Jimmy Hill on July 8, the Colombian singer explained that the song’s energy and musical direction made Burna Boy the perfect choice for the collaboration.

According to Shakira, the tournament naturally carries a strong masculine identity, making Burna Boy the ideal fit for the collaboration. She explained that once she had completed the song, she felt she really needed a male vocal presence in the track because the World Cup carries a big male energy, and she wanted someone who could bring that powerful masculine voice into an Afrobeat setting. The Grammy-winning singer disclosed that although “Dai Dai” blends Afrobeat with Caribbean influences and elements of R&B, Afrobeats remains the song’s dominant musical identity. She added that Burna Boy’s artistry perfectly aligned with the creative direction she envisioned, noting that the song is very Afrobeat-inspired, although it also has some Caribbean sounds and a little bit of R&B, but it is mostly Afrobeat.

READ ALSO:

• Kogi Poly Suspends 7 Lecturers Over Sex-For-Marks, Handout Sales Amid Cultism Crisis
• Tinubu appoints Olanrewaju-Smart as Special Adviser on House of Reps matters
• Gunmen invade Osun PVC distribution centre, flee with voter cards

Shakira also admitted she had admired Burna Boy’s music for years and had long hoped to work with the Nigerian singer on a major international project. She said she contacted him personally after completing the song and was delighted when he accepted the invitation. She confessed that she always loved Burna and always wanted to do something with him, adding that she was so obsessed about having Burna on this track and was incredibly glad that she got him. Despite waiting almost three weeks for Burna Boy to submit his verse, Shakira said she remained hopeful the collaboration would materialise. She recalled that she called him and asked if he was down to do it, and he responded positively. However, it took a while, and she waited for 20 days for him to send something, during which she began to wonder if he might not do it. The singer praised Burna Boy’s vocal performance, saying his contribution elevated the record beyond her expectations. She stated that when he finally sent his magic, it was absolutely perfect, and she could not imagine anybody else on the track because his voice worked so well on the song.

“Dai Dai” served as the official anthem of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Shakira and Burna Boy delivering its debut performance during the tournament’s opening ceremony at the Estadio Azteca in Mexico City on June 11, 2026. The pair reunited for another performance during the inaugural FIFA World Cup final halftime show at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on July 19, joined by a star-studded lineup including Madonna, BTS, Coldplay, and Justin Bieber. Additionally, 100 percent of the song’s royalties will be donated to the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which provides education and soccer resources to children around the world.

Since its release on May 14, “Dai Dai” has enjoyed global success, breaking several music records. The song became the first to top Spotify’s newly launched Global Music Video Chart and also helped Burna Boy become the first African artiste to reach No. 1 on the Apple Music Global Top Songs chart. The collaboration also saw the Nigerian star set a new record for the highest monthly listeners by an African artiste, reaching 53 million on Spotify and 600 million on YouTube Music. “Dai Dai” also made history as the first official World Cup anthem to top the Billboard Global 200 and Global Excl. U.S. charts. The song drew 41.5 million streams worldwide between July 3-9, 2026, and has amassed over 800 million combined streams across Spotify and YouTube Music, with the music video surpassing 500 million views on YouTube.

Burna Boy also made history as the first African artiste to perform at the newly introduced FIFA World Cup Final Halftime Show. The collaboration marked another successful World Cup project for Shakira, whose “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” became one of football’s most iconic tournament songs after the 2010 FIFA World Cup. For Burna Boy, the collaboration further cemented Afrobeats’ growing influence on the global stage, with “Dai Dai” emerging as one of the standout musical successes of the 2026 tournament.

Shakira Reveals Why She Chose Burna Boy for 2026 World Cup Anthem ‘Dai Dai’

“Don’t Let Me Die”: Veteran Nollywood Actress Ngozi Nwosu Begs for ₦30m Surgery Fund

Veteran Nollywood actress Ngozi Nwosu has made a heartfelt public appeal for financial assistance, revealing that she has been hospitalised for three weeks and urgently requires ₦30 million for three life-saving surgeries.

The 62-year-old screen icon, best known for her memorable role as “Peaceful Peace” in the popular television sitcom Fuji House of Commotion, shared an emotional video from her hospital bed on her Instagram page on Thursday, July 23, 2026. In the video, a visibly pained Nwosu explained her prolonged absence from the public eye and pleaded with fans, friends, family, and colleagues not to abandon her during this critical period. Speaking from her hospital bed, Nwosu described her deteriorating health condition and the intense pain she has been enduring. She disclosed that her situation had escalated beyond what she and her family could handle, prompting her to seek public support. “My people, my fans and my family, I know that you’ve not seen me in circulation for some time. I’ve been hospitalised now for three weeks. Please, the thing has gone beyond my control. I need your help, don’t let me die,” she pleaded. The actress, who has been a familiar face in Nollywood for decades, acknowledged the difficulty of making such a public appeal but explained that her condition left her with no other option. “I know that you people never forsake me and I know that God will always see me through, but I’m begging you, my friends and family, don’t let me die because I am going through a lot, as in pain,” she added.

READ ALSO:

• Osun election: Àtàọ́ja should stop running joro-jara-joro
• Dollar to Naira Exchange Rate Today: Naira Holds Steady as Fuel Importer Demand Mounts
• Senate Bill Requiring Social Media Offices in Nigeria Gains Stakeholder Support at Public Hearing

While Nwosu did not disclose the specific nature of her illness, she revealed that doctors have recommended three surgical procedures, with the total cost estimated at ₦30 million. She directed anyone willing to assist her to contact her management or legal representative for further details. In a written caption accompanying her video, Nwosu urged her followers to share her appeal widely and not to scroll past the post. “My fans, friends, family and colleagues, this was really hard for me to do, but I can’t keep quiet anymore. I need urgent life-saving surgeries. Please don’t scroll past. Share this post and support if you can,” she wrote. She concluded her appeal with a prayer for her supporters: “God bless you and may you and yours never experience this affliction.”

This is not the first time the veteran actress has faced a serious health crisis. In 2012, she battled a highly publicized kidney-related illness that temporarily halted her acting career. At that time, she received support from government entities and non-profit organizations, enabling her to travel to the United Kingdom for treatment. In 2013, Premium Times reported that Nwosu received a ₦4.5 million lifeline from the Lagos State Government, while good-spirited individuals donated ₦2.5 million to complete the ₦6 million she needed for her UK procedure. Now, 13 years later, she is once again calling on Nigerians to help save her life.

Nwosu began her acting career on stage, training at the Royal Theatre Art Club School before transitioning to television and film. She gained early recognition through the television series Ripples, where she played the character Madam V-Boot. Her appearance in the 1992 classic film Living in Bondage also placed her among the familiar faces of Nollywood’s home-video era. However, she is perhaps best remembered for her role as Peace, one of Chief Fuji’s wives, in Amaka Igwe’s beloved sitcom Fuji House of Commotion. Over the years, she has remained a prominent screen presence, with credits including Skinny Girl in Transit, Isoken, Light in the Dark, and Crazy Grannies.

Since her appeal went viral, reactions have poured in from fans, colleagues, and members of the entertainment industry, many of whom have expressed sympathy and called for urgent support to help her raise the ₦30 million needed for her surgeries. Fellow celebrities and fans flooded her comment section with prayers and messages of encouragement. The situation has also drawn renewed attention to the challenges faced by veteran Nollywood actors, particularly regarding healthcare access and financial security in their later years.

“Don’t Let Me Die”: Veteran Nollywood Actress Ngozi Nwosu Begs for ₦30m Surgery Fund

2Baba, Annie Idibia Both Deny Rekindling Romance as Viral Dance Video Sparks False Reunion Hopes

Lagos, Nigeria – Nigerian music legend Innocent Idibia, popularly known as 2Baba (and formerly Tuface), has firmly dismissed widespread speculation that he and his ex-wife, Annie Idibia, have rekindled their romantic relationship. The rumors erupted over the weekend after an old video of the former couple dancing affectionately together resurfaced online and quickly went viral across social media platforms, igniting hopes of a fairytale reconciliation among their millions of fans.

The resurfaced clip shows 2Baba dressed in a stylish outfit complete with a fedora hat, while Annie sports a fashionable crop top. The pair are seen dancing intimately to 2Baba’s classic hit song “Amaka,” with the singer holding Annie close as they swayed and smiled at each other. The warm, affectionate nature of the footage led many fans, bloggers, and entertainment commentators to conclude that the estranged couple had reconciled and possibly rekindled their romance after their highly publicized separation in early 2025.

However, 2Baba was quick to pour cold water on the rumors. Taking to his official Instagram page (@official2baba) on Monday, the legendary artiste posted a clarification that left little room for interpretation. “Abeg nah old video o,” he wrote, adding several laughing emojis to underscore his point. The brief but direct response effectively confirmed that the footage was not recent and should not be interpreted as a sign of a renewed relationship. His casual, almost amused tone suggested that he found the speculation more entertaining than concerning.

His statement came just hours after Annie Idibia had also addressed the speculation on her Instagram Stories. The mother of two wrote: “Old videos circulating everywhere, false news everywhere!!!” She added a sharp cautionary note directed at her followers: “Believe everything u see on SM at your expense! Wishing everyone a great, fruitful week ahead.” Her tone suggested mild frustration with the constant scrutiny of her personal life, while also making it clear that the video did not represent any current reality. By using the abbreviation “SM” for social media, she subtly reminded her audience that not everything they encounter online is truthful or current.

READ ALSO:

• DJ Chicken Released From Kirikiri Detention After Meeting ₦1 Million Bail Conditions
• Atiku’s lobbying firm sends Tinubu’s forfeiture records to US Congress
• 2027: North-Central group backs Tinubu for second term, says re-election ‘done deal’

To fully understand why the video generated such intense reactions, one must revisit the couple’s highly publicized and often turbulent marital history. 2Baba and Annie Idibia’s relationship has been one of the most talked-about celebrity unions in Nigeria, spanning over a decade and producing two daughters, Isabella and Olivia. Their love story, which included a lavish fairytale wedding in 2013, was often celebrated as a testament to enduring love and second chances—especially given that 2Baba had children with other women prior to their marriage, including singer Pero Adeniyi and Sumbo Ajala-Adeoye.

However, the relationship was also fraught with public drama, infidelity allegations, and emotional turmoil, much of which played out on social media and reality television, including the popular Netflix reality show “Young, Famous & African.” In January 2025, 2Baba shocked fans when he took to his social media pages to announce the end of his marriage to Annie. He confirmed that they had separated and were living apart, though he did not go into specific details about the reasons for the split. The announcement sent shockwaves through the Nigerian entertainment industry, with many fans expressing heartbreak over the collapse of a union they had rooted for over the years.

In the months that followed, Annie Idibia began to carve out a new identity for herself. She publicly stated that she does not consider herself a “single mum” but rather “a woman with kids,” emphasizing that her identity extends far beyond her marital status. She has since focused on motherhood, her beauty and lifestyle ventures, and personal growth, often sharing inspirational posts about resilience, self-love, and healing on her social media platforms. She has also been open about her journey toward emotional independence, earning admiration from many women who see her as a symbol of strength and reinvention.

The resurfacing of the video triggered a flood of reactions across Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), TikTok, and Facebook, with fans divided into three main camps. The first group, the hopeful romantics, expressed excitement at the possibility of a reunion, with comments like “They are meant to be together” and “Love always finds its way back.” Some even urged the couple to give their marriage another chance for the sake of their children. The second group, the skeptics, quickly pointed out that the video appeared dated, noting 2Baba’s outfit and Annie’s hairstyle as giveaways, and criticized bloggers for sensationalizing old content to drive engagement. The third group, the concerned fans, expressed hope that both parties would find peace, whether together or apart, and urged the public to respect the couple’s privacy and allow them to heal individually without external pressure.

Notable celebrities and influencers also weighed in on the unfolding drama. Media personality Toke Makinwa, known for her outspoken views on relationships and women’s empowerment, posted a cryptic message on her Instagram Story that read: “People will believe what they want to believe. The truth is often boring.” Meanwhile, singer Rema simply shared the video with a laughing emoji, avoiding any direct commentary but subtly acknowledging the absurdity of the situation. Other entertainment figures, including Ubi Franklin and Doreen Morakinyo, also chimed in with their own takes, further fueling the online conversation.

A quick forensic look at the video reveals several clues that align with 2Baba and Annie’s earlier years together. The outfit choices—2Baba’s fedora hat and Annie’s crop top style—were popular in the mid-2010s, around the time “Amaka” was heavily promoted. The video quality appears to have been shot on older smartphone or camera equipment, lacking the high-definition clarity common in recent celebrity content. Additionally, the setting and lighting suggest it was filmed during a private celebration or photoshoot, possibly around 2016 to 2018, well before their separation. These contextual details further confirm that the footage is a nostalgic throwback rather than a reflection of their current relationship status.

Neither 2Baba nor Annie has indicated any intention of reconciling. In fact, both have moved on in their respective lives—2Baba continues to focus on his music career, philanthropy, and business ventures, including his role as a brand ambassador and his work with the 2Baba Foundation. Annie, on the other hand, is building her brand as a wellness advocate, entrepreneur, and mother, often sharing glimpses of her new life on her YouTube channel and Instagram page.

As of now, there is no official confirmation from either party about a reunion. Their mutual dismissal of the video suggests that they are committed to their separate paths. However, sources close to the family have reportedly told Pulse Nigeria that the two maintain a cordial co-parenting relationship for the sake of their children, which is likely why old footage of them together continues to generate interest and spark false hope among fans.

The couple’s legal status remains unclear—neither has filed for divorce publicly, though their separation announcement in 2025 was definitive. Whether they will eventually finalize a divorce or quietly reconcile remains a matter of pure speculation. For now, both appear focused on their individual growth and responsibilities.

The viral video of 2Baba and Annie Idibia dancing together is ultimately a nostalgic throwback, not a sign of reconciliation. Both have made it clear through their social media posts that the footage is old and should not be misconstrued. While fans may continue to root for a reunion, the couple’s statements suggest that they are focused on their individual journeys. For now, the public would do well to respect their boundaries and allow them the space to live their lives—whether together or apart—without constant speculation and media intrusion.

2Baba, Annie Idibia Both Deny Rekindling Romance as Viral Dance Video Sparks False Reunion Hopes