IGennews
April 19, 2025 by Adeniyi Adewoyin
When a video of Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal dancing to Skales’ decade-old hit “Shake Body” surfaced online, it was seen by many as just another light-hearted moment from a football camp. But what followed proved how far-reaching a simple dance move can go in today’s music ecosystem.
The 16-year-old star, widely regarded as one of football’s brightest prospects, unwittingly reintroduced the 2014 track to millions of fans across the globe. The song, originally released as part of Skales’ debut album Man of the Year, had been a hit in its time. But like many songs from that era, it had long faded from mainstream attention. Yamal’s viral video sparked fresh excitement around “Shake Body,” sending it back into streaming rotations and trending conversations on TikTok, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter).
This incident brings to light an interesting shift in how music—especially Nigerian music—spreads globally today. While influencers, TikTok stars, and DJs play their part, professional footballers are increasingly playing an unexpected role in music promotion. And in many cases, the impact is louder, faster, and more organic.
Footballers as Cultural Connectors
The connection between football and music is nothing new. In Nigeria, artists often draw inspiration from football metaphors in lyrics, while footballers name-drop their favourite singers in interviews. But with the rise of social media and the international popularity of Afrobeats, footballers are becoming more than fans—they’re influencers in their own right.
Take Paul Pogba for instance. The French midfielder has long shown his love for African music. From dancing to Wizkid’s Soko, joining Burna Boy on stage at Parklife Festival in 2931 and linking up with Davido on several occasions to posting videos of himself vibing to Afrobeat hits in his downtime, Pogba’s influence has helped export Nigerian sounds to fans in Europe and South America.
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The player’s fanbase spans continents, and his musical preferences often translate into fresh attention for the artists involved.
Similarly, Vinicius Jr., the Brazilian forward currently shining at Real Madrid, has been seen dancing with Burna Boy at a club thereby giving these artists unintentional co-signs that resonate globally.
Homegrown Support From Within
Nigerian footballers themselves have also played key roles in promoting local music on the world stage. Premier League star Alex Iwobi is a vocal lover of Nigerian music, regularly spotlighting songs from mainstream acts and upcoming talents. He’s been seen in a video dancing to Kcee’s Ojapiano, doing the Shaku Shaku dance while playing another Nigerian music. The Fulham player also released a song, M.
Then there’s Wilfried Zaha, the Ivorian international who once went viral for dancing to Monalisa by Lojay and Nowo by Dj Spinall and Wizkid. The video was reposted by blogs across Africa and the UK, pulling more attention to the songs and sparking a wave of fan recreations.
Cristiano Ronaldo playing Rema’s ‘Calm Down’ while his kids danced to it, a seemingly minor moment that nonetheless drove fans and media outlets to revisit the song.
Organic Influence, Real Impact
What makes these moments impactful is their authenticity. Unlike paid influencers or brand-sponsored partnerships, these footballers are simply sharing the music they genuinely enjoy. There’s no marketing script, no forced dance challenge—just pure, unscripted moments of joy and rhythm.
And in a digital world where authenticity wins, this kind of exposure carries more weight than a typical promotional campaign. Fans see their favorite players enjoying a song and are more likely to check it out. Music algorithms notice the spike in interest. Blogs pick it up. Before long, the song is back in the public eye—even if it was released years ago.
For artists and PR teams, this presents an overlooked opportunity. Building relationships within the football community or encouraging natural discovery of their music among athletes could open up new lanes of exposure. Unlike traditional media channels, footballers connect with an international audience that spans languages, borders, and demographics.
Lamine Yamal’s “Shake Body” moment is a case study in this new reality. In doing so, Yamal unknowingly played a role in preserving and promoting Nigeria’s music legacy.
As Afrobeats continues its journey across the world, don’t be surprised if the next global hit is launched not by a DJ or influencer, but by a footballer with rhythm, a phone, and a love for Nigerian sound.
footballers
Lamine Yamal
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