Burna Boy has opened up on his experience working with Shakira on the FIFA World Cup 2026 anthem “Dai Dai,” revealing the intense level of involvement the Colombian superstar brought to the global hit.
“I received a million calls from her throughout this whole situation,” Burna Boy said in a recent interview. “It’s not everyday you get a million calls from Shakira. It’s been an amazing experience. I’ve never seen an artist work like that except for me.”
The Nigerian Afrobeats star described Shakira as deeply hands-on, explaining that she stayed actively involved in shaping every detail of the song. From lyrical direction to vocal delivery, he said she consistently pushed for refinements.
According to Burna Boy, he would submit parts of his contribution only for Shakira to request changes, including adding Spanish elements and reworking sections multiple times until the track met their shared vision.
Released in May 2026, “Dai Dai” became the official song of the FIFA World Cup hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. The track blends Afrobeats and Latin pop with stadium-ready energy, reflecting the global scale of the tournament.
The song quickly gained worldwide attention, topping the Billboard Global 200 chart and racking up tens of millions of streams within weeks. Its music video has since drawn hundreds of millions of views, cementing its place among the most successful World Cup anthems in recent history.
Burna Boy and Shakira performed “Dai Dai” at the opening ceremony on June 11 at Estadio Azteca in Mexico City and later delivered a headline performance during the World Cup final halftime show on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey — a historic first for the tournament.
Shakira had earlier explained why she chose Burna Boy for the collaboration, saying she wanted a powerful masculine voice with Afrobeats influence. She also disclosed that she waited nearly three weeks for his verse after he agreed to join the project.
Burna Boy’s comments offer a rare behind-the-scenes look at the making of a global hit — one driven by precision, persistence and the fusion of two distinct musical worlds. Even after the World Cup, “Dai Dai” continues to trend across streaming platforms and charts worldwide.
