Since its release late last year, Jerusalema has become a global phenomenon. And between Master KG's capering beat and Nomcebo's dreamy vocals, it is easy to see how the song became a viral hit, inspiring its own dance challenge and raking in more than 100 million views on its official YouTube page.
But now the South African disco-house track has set a new milestone: it is officially the most searched-for song on Shazam, a title not many musical accolades can outshine.
The app can identify music, films, adverts and television shows based on a short sample, with users typically employing it to help them track down songs playing in the background of restaurants, shops and on the small and big screens.
The news was announced on Shazam's official Twitter account, which published a note of congratulations to Master KG, the South African DJ and producer whose real name is Kgaogelo Moagi.
So, how did the song become such a sensation? It all started in Angola, when a group of friends were recorded dancing to the video in a candid clip.
Master KG himself confirmed this during an interview with South African newspaper Sowetan in July. "I'd say the first one that was done in Angola remains my favourite because it gave birth to all the dance challenges all over the world," he said.
“It is a dance that was done by people from Angola, then Portugal followed and it just went viral from that point.”
The gospel-influenced song has since been the theme of a dance craze as widespread as the Macarena. Just type #Jerusalema on YouTube's search bar, and you'll be served an infinite scroll of dances from Italy, Nigeria, Jamaica, Canada, India and Saudi Arabia, with friends, families and flash mobs trying to put their spin on the dance. There is even a video of the Teletubbies dancing to the song.
"It reminds me of the song called Macarena in the '90s when I was still young," Master KG told Sowetan. "Now it is happening to my song and it's a blessing indeed."
The upbeat track was initially released in November 2019, surpassing one million views on YouTube in a week. A music video was then released a month later. At the time of publishing, the music video has been viewed more than 129 million times.
Jerusalema arrived to streaming services in July. It didn't take long for the song to start charting on iTunes, peaking at number one in Belgium and Switzerland. A remix by Nigerian singer Burna Boy has also helped the song climb the US Billboard Hot Dance / Electronic Songs chart.
Master KG had received a number of awards prior to Jerusalema's success, including the African diaspora Afrima 2018 Award and the Limpopo Music Award for Best House Single for his track Skeleton Move.
The essentials
What: Emirates Airline Festival of Literature
When: Friday until March 9
Where: All main sessions are held in the InterContinental Dubai Festival City
Price: Sessions range from free entry to Dh125 tickets, with the exception of special events.
Hot Tip: If waiting for your book to be signed looks like it will be timeconsuming, ask the festival’s bookstore if they have pre-signed copies of the book you’re looking for. They should have a bunch from some of the festival’s biggest guest authors.
Information: www.emirateslitfest.com
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
SHOW COURTS ORDER OF PLAY
Wimbledon order of play on Saturday, July 8
All times UAE ( 4 GMT)
Centre Court (4pm)
Agnieszka Radwanska (9) v Timea Bacsinszky (19)
Ernests Gulbis v Novak Djokovic (2)
Mischa Zverev (27) v Roger Federer (3)
Court 1 (4pm)
Milos Raonic (6) v Albert Ramos-Vinolas (25)
Anett Kontaveit v Caroline Wozniacki (5)
Dominic Thiem (8) v Jared Donaldson
Court 2 (2.30pm)
Sorana Cirstea v Garbine Muguruza (14)
To finish: Sam Querrey (24) leads Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (12) 6-2, 3-6, 7-6, 1-6, 6-5
Angelique Kerber (1) v Shelby Rogers
Sebastian Ofner v Alexander Zverev (10)
Court 3 (2.30pm)
Grigor Dimitrov (13) v Dudi Sela
Alison Riske v Coco Vandeweghe (24)
David Ferrer v Tomas Berdych (11)
Court 12 (2.30pm)
Polona Hercog v Svetlana Kuznetsova (7)
Gael Monfils (15) v Adrian Mannarino
Court 18 (2.30pm)
Magdalena Rybarikova v Lesia Tsurenko
Petra Martic v Zarina Diyas
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Zayed Sustainability Prize
Overall head-to-head
Federer 6-1 Cilic
Head-to-head at Wimbledon
Federer 1-0 Cilic
Grand Slams titles
Federer 18-1 Cilic
Best Wimbledon performance
Federer: Winner (2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012)
Cilic: Final (2017*)
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Zayed Sustainability Prize
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
The five pillars of Islam
MATCH INFO
Osasuna 1 Real Madrid 4
Osasuna: García (14')
Real Madrid: Isco (33'), Ramos (38'), Vázquez (84'), Jovic (90' 2)
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 247hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 370Nm from 1,500-3,500rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 7.8L/100km
Price: from Dh94,900
On sale: now
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The years Ramadan fell in May
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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