Colombian singers Shakira and Camilo and U.S. rapper Cardi B coincided on Saturday, September 27 at the Global Citizen macro-concert in New York, where they sang for the Amazon and advocated for facilitating energy access in Africa.
The festival, which has been held since 2012 as part of the UN General Assembly, brought together some 60,000 people in Central Park who gained entry by volunteering or doing some kind of activism, such as raising awareness of social causes on social media.
Shakira and Camilo in Africa and the Amazon
View this post on Instagram
Actor Hugh Jackman, who served as master of ceremonies, reminded the audience that this year’s event’s main objectives are to provide energy access to one million people in Africa.
As well as ensuring that thousands of children around the world can receive a quality education and protecting the Amazon rainforest from deforestation.
Under the overcast sky of New York, the Palestinian-Chilean singer Elyanna was in charge of opening the show performing some of her best known songs, such as ‘Mama Eh’ or ‘GANENI’.
Elyanna, wearing a white studded bra and white shorts, took the opportunity to launch a message about Palestine.
“There are many people in the world who do not have even the basics; especially in Gaza, families, women, men and children are suffering,” he said, drawing a round of applause from the audience.
She was followed by singer Camilo, who excitedly mentioned his country on several occasions:
“Colombians are privileged to have a very important part of the Amazon rainforest,” which provides the planet with “the air we breathe and the water we need,” he said.
Therefore, he stressed, “we cannot wait a second longer: it is time to take action to protect” the Amazon.
The artist performed ‘KESI’ and ‘Una vida pasada’, and gave a surprise by inviting his wife, fellow musician Evaluna, on stage to sing ‘Índigo’.
Like Camilo, other figures such as actors Kristen Bell and Adam Lambert, FIFA President Gianni Infantino and UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed encouraged the audience to “take action” against social injustice and other issues such as climate change.
Similarly, Nigerian singer Ayra Starr called on the audience to join forces and make sure that “no one in the world lives in darkness” because, she recalled, “many people in Africa do not have access to energy”.
Starr brought on stage the rapper Rema, also from Nigeria, with whom he sang his hit ‘Calm Down’, and after them appeared on stage Mariah The Scientist, who among other songs sang ‘United Nations + 1000 Ways to Die’.
The most awaited of the night
View this post on Instagram
Among the most anticipated artists today was Tyla, who won over the audience with her dance moves and her greatest hits ‘Water’ and ‘PUSH 2 START’.
She was followed by Cardi B, who, pregnant, made the audience dance with ‘I Like it’, her collaboration with Bad Bunny, which she mixed with the song ‘Titi me preguntó’, also by the Puerto Rican.
Meanwhile, South Korean-New Zealand singer Rosé added an intimate touch to the evening by performing an acoustic version of her hit with Bruno Mars ‘APT’ and her ballad ‘Toxic till the end’, which she combined with Oasis’ ‘Wonderwall’.
But the big name of the night was undoubtedly Shakira, who jumped on stage with the English version of ‘Loba’ as the audience rushed to take out their cell phones to record the moment.
“I’m happy to be here knowing that they have dedicated their time to help someone in need,” said the Colombian, who had the crowd jumping with ‘Waka Waka’, the iconic song from the 2010 World Cup, and her session with Bizarrap.
Surrounded by dancers and with her characteristic hip movements, Shakira put the finishing touch to her little ‘show’ with ‘Hips Don’t Lie’, where she refers to her homeland, Barranquilla, and said goodbye to the audience with a “Thank you, my Latin people!
With information from EFE
