‘Shakira was told we were AIDS opharns’ Backup Singer Aux Alaio Claims He Didn’t receive Royalties for ‘Waka Waka’
South African artist, Aux Alaio, took to Twitter on May 7th, to reveal that he has not yet received any royalties for singing backup on the 2010 World Cup song ‘Waka Waka’, alongside Shakira. The song, which also features Freshly Ground, is considered one of the greatest World Cup songs in history.
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still havent received my royalties for singing backup on this song. 💔 https://t.co/7k0Y6OvQkM
— Aux Alaio (@AuxAlaio) May 7, 2023
Alaio claims Shakira’s team was told they were AIDS orphans
In his tweet, Alaio revealed that Shakira’s team was told that they were AIDS orphans when they signed the contract to sing backup on ‘Waka Waka’. Despite this, they were treated to the finest hotels and spent two weeks living with Shakira. At the time of recording the song, Alaio was only 13 years old and admits that he did not thoroughly read the contract before signing. However, he still wants his share of the royalties.
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‘Waka Waka’ celebrates its 13th anniversary
According to Essentially Sports, the popular 2010 World Cup song ‘Waka Waka’ turned 13 years old on May 7th. The single has sold over ten million copies around the world and the music video on YouTube has received more than 3.5 billion views. Despite its age, the song continues to be well-known and loved by fans globally.
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Alaio’s claims have yet to be verified, and Shakira’s team has not yet commented on the matter. Nonetheless, the issue highlights the importance of understanding contracts before signing them, regardless of age or experience. As for ‘Waka Waka’, the song’s continued success is a testament to its catchy tune and Shakira’s undeniable talent.