Shortly before the Africa Cup of Nations 2025 kicked off, three major artists released ‘AFRICALLEZ’. Angélique Kidjo, Jaylan, and L’Artiste performed the track during the AFCON opening ceremony. The tournament’s official song was written as a pan-African anthem and touches on themes of African pride and unity.
Celebration
At their best, international football tournaments feel like weeks-long celebrations. The song encapsulates the jubilant spirit that fans of many AFCON tournaments have felt – as well as those at tournaments like World Cup 2014 in Brazil with the festive atmospheres and World Cup 2010 in South Africa with the vuvuzelas. This year’s AFCON was predicted to be one of the most competitive for some time: teams like Cameroon, Morocco, and Nigeria all have some of the most talented squads they’ve enjoyed for decades. But it was also a chance for the continent to come together and celebrate.
The chorus of ‘AFRICALLEZ’, with all three vocalists joining in, has a communal, uplifting vibe. The beat, with the fidgety electronic hi-hats, hints at the energy always felt among AFCON crowds. Hosts Morocco have benefitted from the home fans’ support, and the song reflects a similar spirit.
International recognition
The tournament’s website said the anthem brought together three musical worlds: Moroccan pop, Europe’s urban sounds, and deep-rooted African rhythms. Jaylan represents Morocco and is one of the country’s most prominent rising stars. L’Artiste also represents Morocco as a major French-language rap star. Meanwhile, Angélique Kidjo is one of most widely celebrated African artists outside of the continent. Kidjo has won five Grammys and collaborated with international artists such as Carlos Santana and Ziggy Marley.
The Africa Cup of Nations has grown in stature in recent years. In 2024, there were record viewing figures and the tournament surpassed the viewership of the Super Bowl in the United States. This year, AFCON games like the quarter-final between Morocco and Cameroon have made headlines around the world, and the tournament has been a prominent market on sports betting platforms. The AFCON market has been treated similarly to those of major domestic leagues like Serie A and La Liga. Many platforms also offer casino games during international tournaments; fans searching for “casino bet Tanzania” can find games and AFCON options on the same site.
‘AFRICALLEZ’ highlights the growing global relevance of African football. Rather than attempting to mimic the sound of previous World Cup anthems, the song has its own identity.
The track isn’t overly complex, but that simplicity works in its favour. Stadium anthems succeed when they’re easy to chant, dance to, and remember, and ‘AFRICALLEZ’ fits that mould.
The song – like football – is about shared experiences, cultural expression, and pride. ‘AFRICALLEZ’ feels like an appropriate soundtrack for a competition that has firmly established itself on the world stage.
Upon the initial announcement, some critics weren’t keen on the featured artists. But since the song’s release, the reception has been positive, and the choice of artists has been reconsidered. Angélique Kidjo has been described as “the queen of African pop”, and in her sixties, she continues to serve as a bridge between Africa and global music. Jaylan represents a younger generation of artists and seems a good choice as a face of Moroccan pop. L’Artiste brings further star power to the collaboration having blended Moroccan heritage with French urban music.
The song has been doing well on streaming platforms and may be one that survives well beyond the tournament.
