The Brazilian populace has finally gotten what it wants (outside of a World Cup victory of course): Shakira will serve as the headliner at the closing ceremonies of the international soccer championships on July 13. Many had taken to social media to propose she serve as the official songstress of the event after the anthem performed for the World Cup by Pitbull, Jennifer Lopez and Claudia Leitte—"We Are One (Ole Ola)"—received a chilly reception.
Many Brazilians complained that "Ole Ola" reveled in stereotypes about the nations culture, and that the songs American and Cuban headliners relegated the hometown pop star to the back. They pointed to "Waka Waka (This Time For Africa)," the track Shakira performed for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa as a better example of soccer anthem (somewhat ironic, as the Colombian performer is in no way African). The performer is still a huge name in Brazil, the neighbor of her own home country, so the announcement that she'll be singing her own contribution, "La la la (Brazil 2014)," at the closing ceremony was met with praise.
"I just feel so grateful for the opportunity to come back to perform at the closing ceremony of this year's FIFA World Cup in Brazil, it feels right," she said. "The fans have shown the most incredible support for this song and I can't wait to perform it for them."
She'll be joined by Wyclef Jean, Santana, Alexandre Pires and Ivete Sangalo. The latter two names will provide the homeland-happy music that Brazilians were craving.
Brazilian fans might change their views on Shakira's performance if their home team can't beat Colombia during Thursday's semifinal game. Her football star boyfriend's nation, Spain, didn't make it past the qualifying round so she's safe on that front .
