Every sporting competition has an anthem, but some songs manage to transcend their context and become inextricably linked to certain events.
On the African continent, the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations kicked off on January 13 in Ivory Coast, the host country for this major soccer competition. This edition has attracted particular attention due to the profound changes in the way broadcasting rights have been marketed.
For the occasion, Magic System, Yemi Alade, and Mohamed Ramadan were chosen to perform the official anthem of the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations, entitled "Akwaba." This is not the first time that Ivorian artists have been popular in the world of sports. We cannot forget the catchy tune of "Magic in the Air," performed by Magic System during the 2014 FIFA World Cup. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) also thought big for the CAN, partnering with Universal to produce a six-track EP to set the tone for the entire competition.
However, another song has eclipsed the official anthem. It is the song "Coup du marteau" by Ivorian artist Tam Sir, which is sung by the majority of fans. This song from the "Ivorian rap" repertoire is played just as often in the competition's stadiums as the official anthem.
According to the latest information, the music video for the song has already racked up more than 12 million views on YouTube.