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Myriam Fares And Nicki Minaj’s World Cup Anthem: Hit or Miss?
This morning, the official FIFA World Cup Fan Festival Anthem was released on streaming platforms across the world. The song, which is a collaboration between Lebanese singer Myriam Fares, Trinidadian-American rapper Nicki Minaj, and Colombian singer Maluma, features interconnecting verses for the three artists, each in their native language.
Myriam Fares’ role in the song has received significant coverage, especially in relation to a viral clip of her dancing to the music. It is apparent that the criticism, which came predominantly from Arab audiences, is mostly rooted in misogyny. Onlookers stated that someone should tell Fares “she is not Shakira,” while others commented that her “obscene” presence is a blight on the 2022 World Cup. Others praised Fares for representing Lebanon at the World Cup in this collaboration.
Fares is said to have written the lyrics for the Arabic parts of the song, but considering that the majority of the song has her just repeating the words “tukoh taka”, it does not seem to be a masterful work of songwriting.
Meanwhile, Nick Minaj’s loyal following (colloquially known as “Barbz”) stuck by the artist. Fans praised Minaj’s look in the teaser video released by FIFA and rallied their fellow fans to get the song higher in the charts.
The song’s mixed reviews will not prevent it from being blasted across Qatar and worldwide for the next month and a half. But after that? We doubt this song will live long in the pop culture afterlife. The official music video for the song will be released at 5 PM Beirut time today.
#TukohTaka #fifaworldcup official song
— Nicki Minaj (@NICKIMINAJ) November 17, 2022
FULL VIDEO TMRW @ 10AM EST
BARBIE X MALUMA X MYRIAM
English X Spanish X Arabic
Salaaaaaam Alaikumhttps://t.co/6uhMm9QIy1 pic.twitter.com/ZB8zd82YS6
Myriam Fares’ role in the song has received significant coverage, especially in relation to a viral clip of her dancing to the music. It is apparent that the criticism, which came predominantly from Arab audiences, is mostly rooted in misogyny. Onlookers stated that someone should tell Fares “she is not Shakira,” while others commented that her “obscene” presence is a blight on the 2022 World Cup. Others praised Fares for representing Lebanon at the World Cup in this collaboration.
#ميريام_فارس بطلت تقتنع انها شاكيرا pic.twitter.com/uUwuEgBUUP
— Yehia Gan Official (@YehiaGan) November 16, 2022
# # pic.twitter.com/I4rzNXK8kk
— م (@mf_fans_2) November 17, 2022
Fares is said to have written the lyrics for the Arabic parts of the song, but considering that the majority of the song has her just repeating the words “tukoh taka”, it does not seem to be a masterful work of songwriting.
— Gorgeous (@gorgeous4ew) November 17, 2022
— (@AliNajim) November 17, 2022
Meanwhile, Nick Minaj’s loyal following (colloquially known as “Barbz”) stuck by the artist. Fans praised Minaj’s look in the teaser video released by FIFA and rallied their fellow fans to get the song higher in the charts.
“Tukoh Taka” by Nicki Minaj, Myriam Fares, and Mulma has entered the Top 10 on US iTunes Chart at #10 pic.twitter.com/F1HSar8j35
— Pop Tingz (@ThePopTingz) November 18, 2022
.@NICKIMINAJ. that’s the tweet. #TukohTaka pic.twitter.com/GlZmPYhpGD
— Rap Alert (@rapaIert6) November 17, 2022
The song’s mixed reviews will not prevent it from being blasted across Qatar and worldwide for the next month and a half. But after that? We doubt this song will live long in the pop culture afterlife. The official music video for the song will be released at 5 PM Beirut time today.