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Cape Town – Cape Town band Freshlyground has responded to allegations that they benefitted unfairly from the song Waka Waka.
New York musician Dominic James had claimed that he "wrote and recorded ALL [sic] of the guitar parts AND all of the bass lines for Shakira’s official Soccer World Cup song, Waka Waka," but that "all the money and accolades have gone to the South African band Freshlyground".
Simon Attwell of Freshlyground has responded that "to date Freshlyground has not received any royalties from the recording of the song Waka Waka and we have been told that 100% of proceeds have gone via FIFA to the charity of Shakira's choosing: One Goal. We also performed free of charge at the World Cup."
Further, he states that the song was produced by John Hill and Shakira, and they used various session musicians on the track, which included Dominic James.
Never actually present
"Freshlyground was never actually present in studio with Shakira or Dominic, and we were in no way privy to or involved in the production process or the negotiations around the use of the song or the agreement with any of the session musicians."
According to Atwell, Freshlyground's involvement in the track happened by chance, when Hill required an "African feel" for the track, and the band happened to be in another studio in the building.
"The track was pretty developed when we heard it - with some guitars and drums and Shakira's vocals. Working alone in studio (without Shakira, Dominic or any other musicians), Freshlyground added their own ideas and Zolani’s vocal contribution on the bridge was entirely original. Our guitarists' original playing also features on the track.
"We didn't hear from anyone involved in the production again - and didn't think about it much after that! It was only when FIFA announced that Waka Waka was the official World Cup song that we learnt that it had been chosen.
"We have never disputed Dominic's contribution to the track. Why would we? His brilliant guitar work forms the basis for the song. But unfortunately we were never involved in any of the negotiations around the commercials of the song."
New York musician Dominic James had claimed that he "wrote and recorded ALL [sic] of the guitar parts AND all of the bass lines for Shakira’s official Soccer World Cup song, Waka Waka," but that "all the money and accolades have gone to the South African band Freshlyground".
Simon Attwell of Freshlyground has responded that "to date Freshlyground has not received any royalties from the recording of the song Waka Waka and we have been told that 100% of proceeds have gone via FIFA to the charity of Shakira's choosing: One Goal. We also performed free of charge at the World Cup."
Further, he states that the song was produced by John Hill and Shakira, and they used various session musicians on the track, which included Dominic James.
Never actually present
"Freshlyground was never actually present in studio with Shakira or Dominic, and we were in no way privy to or involved in the production process or the negotiations around the use of the song or the agreement with any of the session musicians."
According to Atwell, Freshlyground's involvement in the track happened by chance, when Hill required an "African feel" for the track, and the band happened to be in another studio in the building.
"The track was pretty developed when we heard it - with some guitars and drums and Shakira's vocals. Working alone in studio (without Shakira, Dominic or any other musicians), Freshlyground added their own ideas and Zolani’s vocal contribution on the bridge was entirely original. Our guitarists' original playing also features on the track.
"We didn't hear from anyone involved in the production again - and didn't think about it much after that! It was only when FIFA announced that Waka Waka was the official World Cup song that we learnt that it had been chosen.
"We have never disputed Dominic's contribution to the track. Why would we? His brilliant guitar work forms the basis for the song. But unfortunately we were never involved in any of the negotiations around the commercials of the song."
