News

R Kelly To Perform At World Cup Opening Ceremony

• 20th May 2010

FIFA and Sony Music Entertainment announced today that “Sign Of A Victory” written and produced by R&B superstar R. Kelly has been selected as the official anthem of the upcoming 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. One of three official songs for the event, the soaring ballad reflects the spirit of giving and will highlight the charitable aspect of the World Cup.

R. Kelly and the Soweto Spiritual Singers will perform “Sign Of A Victory” together at the opening ceremony on June 11th at the Johannesburg Soccer City Stadium. All proceeds from the song will benefit African charities including the official campaign of the 2010 FIFA World Cup “20 Centers for 2010.”

“I feel blessed that ‘Sign of a Victory’ was selected to be part of the 2010 FIFA World Cup,” said R Kelly. “The FIFA World Cup is an event that brings the world together and inspires us to be and do the best we can. It’s this uplifting feeling that I tried to capture in the song.”

“It’s also a great honor to perform with the Soweto Spiritual Singers,” he added. “They represent the best of South Africa and I’m proud to work with such a talented group.” R Kelly received a warm welcome to Africa last June, when he performed a sold-out six-concert tour in South Africa and Nigeria. The multi-Grammy-award winning star spent time with South African luminaries and was “overwhelmed by the beautiful continent.”

The Soweto Spiritual Singers commented, “We share our exhilaration in working with R. Kelly on ‘Sign of A Victory.’ It is a testament to the talent and artistry we possess as South African artists that we can stand shoulder to shoulder with our fellow international musicians. Our experience has been overwhelming and we are highly honored to work with R. Kelly.”

The rousing song is an uplifting message of triumph and victory, combining Kelly’s soulful delivery with the Soweto Spiritual singer’s choir. “Sign of a Victory” blends American R&B/Pop with African musical influences and choral chants in Zulu. The anthem is as powerful and poignant as Kelly’s three-time Grammy winning classic song “I Believe I Can Fly.”

The Soweto Spiritual Singers are a versatile 27-member vocal ensemble comprised of indigenous talent from Soweto. Their repertoire consists of all forms of gospel genres and traditions.

“Sign Of A Victory” will be included on Listen Up! The Official 2010 FIFA World Cup Album set for release on May 31/June 1 by Sony Music. Proceeds from the album will benefit FIFA’s “20 Centers for 2010” initiative, whose aim is to achieve positive social change through football by building twenty Football for Hope centers for public health, education and football across Africa, and other African charities.