"Tukoh Taka"
Single by Nicki Minaj, Maluma and Myriam Fares
from the album FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 Official Soundtrack
Language
  • English
  • Spanish
  • Arabic
ReleasedNovember 18, 2022 (2022-11-18)
Genre
Length2:58
Label
Songwriter(s)
Producer(s)
Nicki Minaj singles chronology
"Love in the Way"
(2022) 		"Tukoh Taka"
(2022) 		"WTF"
(2023)
Maluma singles chronology
"Ojala"
(2022) 		"Tukoh Taka"
(2022) 		"La Fórmula"
(2023)
Myriam Fares singles chronology
"Adiha Enbisat"
(2022) 		"Tukoh Taka"
(2022) 		"North Coast"
(2023)
Music video
"Tukoh Taka" on YouTube

"Tukoh Taka" is the 2022 FIFA Fan Festival anthem performed by Trinidadian-born rapper Nicki Minaj, Colombian singer Maluma and Lebanese singer Myriam Fares.[1] It was released by FIFA for the 2022 FIFA World Cup soundtrack on November 18, 2022, through Universal Arabic Music and Republic Records along with an accompanying music video.[2][3][4]

Composition

The song features the three artists' languages in the lyrics: Minaj's English, Maluma's Spanish, and Fares' Arabic, becoming the first world championship anthem to feature all three languages.[5][6] Fares said in a statement: "'Tukoh Taka', the song that I was honored to participate in its composition, arrangement, and choreography, made me more passionate about it, in addition to working alongside two of my favorite international artists, Nicki Minaj and Maluma. I truly wish that 'Tukoh Taka' will be transmitting the Eastern culture and Arabian music to the whole world.”[7]

The song has reggaeton, Pop and house-rap sounds.[8][9]

The name of the song is said to be Arabic for "knock-knock", with fans and commenters also recognising it to sound like "tiki-taka", a style of football play.[10][11]

Critical reaction

Forbes's writer Chris Malone Méndez said the pairing of the two international artists with the Arab singer "was a natural choice for optimal global reach" but, while appreciating the song's trilingualism, noted that "no Qatari artists are featured on any World Cup songs".[12]

The song received negative reactions in the Arab world. Fans and critics accused Myriam Fares of imitating Shakira's dancing style and overall aesthetics.[13] According to Haaretz, numerous online critics said the song had "annoying lyrics".[14]

Controversy

Main article: 2022 FIFA World Cup controversies § Opening ceremony and anthem

After the announcement of their collaboration for the World Cup anthem, the three artists were criticised for choosing to be paid to sing a song in an Emirate whose internal policies violate LGBT rights and support perceived slavery.[15][16][17] Singer Maluma replied to the charge by declaring: "it's something I can't resolve; [...] It's not something that I actually have to be involved with. I'm here enjoying my music and the beautiful life, playing soccer too".[18][19] FIFA has also been under fire online for featuring Fares considering her blackface stunt in her "Goumi" (2018) music video.[20]

Music video

The music video, directed by Edgar Esteves and Juan Felipe Zuleta, features Maluma and Fares performing in the Qatari desert, while Minaj performs her verses aboard a bus, all alternating with some clips of soccer players cheering after goals.[21]

Charts

Chart performance for "Tukoh Taka"
Chart (2022–2023) Peak
position
Canada CHR/Top 40 (Billboard)[22] 49
Croatia (HRT)[23] 63
Global 200 (Billboard)[24] 106
Greece International (IFPI)[25] 88
Japan Hot Overseas (Billboard Japan)[26] 7
Lebanon (Lebanese Top 20)[27] 1
MENA (IFPI)[28] 11
New Zealand Hot Singles (RMNZ)[29] 15
UK Singles Downloads (OCC)[30] 100
US Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[31] 13
US Hot Latin Songs (Billboard)[32] 18
US Rhythmic (Billboard)[33] 28
US World Digital Song Sales (Billboard)[34] 2

References

  1. ^ "Nicki Minaj, Maluma, Myriam Fares release World Cup anthem". ABC News. November 18, 2022. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  2. ^ Callas, Brad (November 18, 2022). "Nicki Minaj Joins Forces With Maluma and Myriam Fares for World Cup Song "Tukoh Taka"". Complex Networks. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  3. ^ Mier, Tomás (November 18, 2022). "Maluma and Nicki Minaj Welcome the 2022 World Cup With Arab-Latin Anthem 'Tukoh Taka'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  4. ^ "Wassim Salibi brings together Nicki Minaj, Maluma and Myriam Fares in 'Tukoh Taka'… behind the scenes of the expected work (video)". Middle East 24 Entertainment English. November 15, 2022. Retrieved November 16, 2022.
  5. ^ Peters, Mitchell (November 20, 2022). "Fans Choose Nicki Minaj, Maluma & Myriam Fares' 'Tukoh Tukoh Taka' as This Week's Favorite New Music". Billboard. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  6. ^ "Nicki Minaj, Maluma, Myriam Fares release World Cup anthem". NBC News. November 18, 2022. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  7. ^ Flores, Griselda (November 11, 2022). "Nicki Minaj, Maluma & Myriam Fares Unleash Euphoric World Cup Song 'Tukoh Taka'". Billboard. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  8. ^ Darville, Jordan (November 18, 2022). "Travis Scott, Skepta, and Yves Tumor to headline festival celebrating Virgil Abloh's life". The Fader. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  9. ^ Krol, Charlotte (November 18, 2022). "Hear Nicki Minaj, Maluma and Myriam Fares' FIFA Fan Festival song 'Tukoh Taka'". NME. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  10. ^ "The World Cup 2022 FIFA Fan Anthem: Mixed Reviews Lillian Mose Newstead Wood School". This Is Local London. November 26, 2022. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  11. ^ Krishnamurthy, Chaitra (November 19, 2022). "Meaning of Tukoh Taka as the new FIFA World Cup 2022 song has fans grooving". HITC. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  12. ^ Méndez, Chris Malone (November 18, 2022). "Nicki Minaj, Maluma, and Myriam Fares Team Up For FIFA World Cup Song 'Tukoh Taka'". Forbes. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  13. ^ Ifteqar, Naheed (November 21, 2022). "Here's What Fifa Fans Have to Say of Myriam Fares's Feature on the 'Tukoh Taka' Anthem". Vogue Arabia.
  14. ^ "Qatar 2022: Arab World Blasts Lebanese Singer's Anthem 'Tukoh Taka'". Haaretz. November 23, 2022.
  15. ^ Irvin, Jack (November 18, 2022). "Nicki Minaj, Maluma and Myriam Fares Drop Historic Trilingual World Cup Song amid Qatar Controversy". People Magazine. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  16. ^ O'Connor, Rachael (November 16, 2022). "Nicki Minaj faces backlash for Qatar World Cup song over human rights concerns". Metro. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  17. ^ Sadler, Armon (November 15, 2022). "Nicki Minaj Confirms 2022 Qatar World Cup Song Despite Backlash". Vibe. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  18. ^ Média, Bell (November 21, 2022). "Maluma Shuts Down Questions About Qatar's Human Rights Abuses". iHeartRadio. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  19. ^ Richards, Will (November 21, 2022). "World Cup anthem singer Maluma walks out of interview after accusations of "whitewashing" Qatar human rights abuses". NME. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  20. ^ Mier, Tomás (November 21, 2022). "World Cup Anthem Singer Myriam Fares Wore Blackface in 2018". Rolling Stone. Retrieved December 13, 2022.
  21. ^ Valdez, Jonah (November 18, 2022). "World Cup debuts anthem 'Tukoh Taka,' featuring Nicki Minaj, Maluma and Myriam Fares". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 15, 2022.
  22. ^ "Nicki Minaj Chart History (Canada CHR/Top 40)". Billboard. Retrieved December 6, 2022.
  23. ^ "HRT Airplay Radio Chart No. 1056 - Issue Date: December 5th 2022" (PDF). Hrvatska Radiotelevizija. December 7, 2022. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
  24. ^ "Nicki Minaj Chart History (Global 200)". Billboard. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  25. ^ "Official IFPI Charts - Digital Singles Chart (International) - Week: 48/2022". IFPI Greece. Archived from the original on December 7, 2022. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  26. ^ "Billboard Japan Hot Overseas – Week of November 30, 2022". Billboard Japan (in Japanese). Retrieved November 30, 2022.
  27. ^ "The Official Lebanese Top 20 - Nicki Minaj Chart History". The Official Lebanese Top 20. November 28, 2022. Retrieved November 28, 2022.
  28. ^ Bayley, Jack (November 29, 2022). "The Official MENA Chart launches – Calm Down by Rema region's first-ever #1". ifpi.org. International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved December 2, 2022.
  29. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. November 28, 2022. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  30. ^ "Official Singles Downloads Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. Retrieved November 26, 2022.
  31. ^ "Nicki Minaj Chart History (Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  32. ^ "Nicki Minaj Chart History (Hot Latin Songs)". Billboard. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  33. ^ "Nicki Minaj Chart History (Rhythmic)". Billboard. Retrieved January 9, 2023.
  34. ^ "Nicki Minaj Chart History (World Digital Song Sales)". Billboard. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
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