The World Cup 2018 kicks off in less than a month from now and football fans world over are gearing up for the mega event. Setting the right tone ahead of the jamboree, the Fédération Internationale de Football Association, or FIFA, has released the official song – Live It Up – which it says will define the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia.
Actor-rapper Will Smith has teamed up with Nicky Jam and Era Isterefi for Live It Up. The music video was shot in the Hungarian capital of Budapest where Smith is currently shooting for a film.
Sony Music and FIFA released the song on multiple streaming platforms on Friday.
Listen to the song here.
Produced by Grammy Award-winning songwriter, DJ and music producer Diplo, the song will be performed at the 2018 FIFA World Cup Final on July 15 in Moscow.
“I’ve never made a song this international, so many stars have come together to make a strong vibe,” said Diplo.
Smith said: “It’s an honour to be asked to perform at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. This global event brings people from all over the world together to cheer, laugh and experience magic. Collaborating with Nicky, Diplo and Era on this track represents harmony, eclectic flavours and genres coming together. At the end of the day, we just want to see the world dance.”
Music has historically gone well with football. In 2014, ‘We Are One (Ola Ola)’, the official song sung by Pitbull, was a big hit, while Shakira’s Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) was a rage in 2010.
“The synergy between football and music is striking, both stirring up fans’ emotions across the globe. This song (Live it Up) – featuring a world-class line-up worthy of the greatest show on Earth – embodies the excitement, the celebration and the unity that people all over the world will share during the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia,” said Philippe Le Floc’h, FIFA Chief Commercial Officer.
Kosovo Albanian singer and songwriter Ela Istrefi called the experience “incredible and exciting”. “Working alongside the super talents that are Diplo, Will Smith and Nicky Jam, all of whom I have huge admiration for, has been amazing and so much fun,” she said.
For Jam, recording the official song for the FIFA World Cup was a “lifetime achievement”. “Not many artistes have the privilege of being able to say they’ve been part of this. I’m so proud and happy, I can say to my grandkids ‘I’ve made it’,” he said.
“Sony Music has had a longstanding relationship with FIFA. When discussing the official music for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the objective that both organisations agreed on was a great song supported by an all-star line-up,” said Afo Verde, Chairman & CEO of Sony Music Latin Iberia.
The Official Songs at recent FIFA World Cups
1990 (Italy): ‘Un’estate italiana’ by Edoardo Bennato and Gianna Nannini
1994 (USA): ‘Gloryland’ by Daryl Hall with Sounds of Blackness
1998 (France): ‘La Copa de la Vida’ by Ricky Martin
2002 (South Korea and Japan): “Boom” by Anastacia. Vangelis’ vocal official anthem featured typical Korean and Japanese sonic elements.
2006 (Germany): ‘The Time of Our Lives’ by the Il Divo quartet.
2010 (South Africa): ‘Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)’ by Shakira
2014 (Brazil): ‘We Are One (Ole Ola)’ by Pitbull