Like her counterparts in the entertainment world, multiple award-winning singer Angelique Kidjo has joined her voice and hands to help end the spread of Coronavirus.

 

The Beninese singer, enlisted by UNICEF, has put a twist to “world’s happiest song” “Pata Pata” by Mariam Makeba to spread coronavirus awareness

 

Nicknamed ‘Mama Africa’, Miriam Makeba was a South African singer and songwriter.

 

Makeba was among the first African musicians to receive worldwide recognition, winning a Grammy in 1965. The late Makeba was both friend and mentor to Kidjo.

 

 

“Pata Pata”  translates to “Touch Touch“, was written by Makeba in reference to a dance that became quite popular in Johannesburg, South Africa, during the 60s.

 

The reworked version bears the same elements as the original, but Angelique Kidjo modified some of its lyrics. It includes lines such as:

 

“It’s a time to sit it out!” This is ‘no-pata-pata… Stay at home and wait it out …..We need to keep our hands clean ….So ‘no-pata pata’…Don’t touch your face, keep distance please.”

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While speaking on the rework of Pata Pata to draw more attention to the deadly virus, Angelique Kidjo also expressed how much she was inspired by Mariam Makeba and Manu Dibango. Dibango passed on in March from Coronavirus at age 86.

 

She said:
“Manu inspired me. Miriam inspired me. And Pata Pata gave me hope. “We all know what needs to be done, but we also know how much communities are suffering. “Pata Pata” has always been there for people at a time of struggle. I hope it helps once more. And I hope from our confined spaces we can dance once more.”

 

The public is also encouraged to submit videos of themselves dancing to ‘Pata-Pata’ by tagging @1unicefafrica on TikTok or @unicefafrica on Instagram with #nopatapata and #healthyathome hashtags.

 

The best dance clips will be included in a music video to be released in mid-May.

 

Watch the video below

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