Songfacts®:

• Miriam Makeba (1932-2008) was a South African singer, songwriter, and civil rights activist. Known as Mama Africa, she rocked the world, spreading the beats of African music far and wide.
  
  Starting off as a jazz sensation in the '50s, Makeba quickly became a local sensation in South Africa, but it was in the rebellious '60s when she truly exploded onto the global stage, fearlessly challenging the apartheid regime. She used her music and platform to raise awareness about the injustices and racial segregation faced by black South Africans.
  
  Her fierce activism shook the establishment, leading to her banishment from South Africa in 1960 and the revocation of her citizenship. Undeterred, Makeba spent over three decades in exile, shining her light in different corners of the world, including the mighty United States.
  
  In this electrifying dance anthem, Jain pays tribute to the one and only Miriam Makeba. The track fuses dance-pop with pulsating African rhythms, capturing the raw spirit and unstoppable energy of Makeba's music.
• "Makeba" starts with the chorus, where Jain dances to Miriam Makeba's music.
  
  Ooh-ee, Makeba
  Makeba, ma che bella
  Can I get a "ooh-ee"? Makeba
  Makes my body dance for you
  
  The Italian phrase "ma che bella" literally means "but what a beauty." It is an exclamation of surprise or admiration, and it is used to express appreciation for something or someone that is beautiful.
• Throughout the rest of the song, Jain captures the essence of Miriam Makeba's conscious artistry. Jain recognizes that Makeba made her and others feel the weight of oppression while also championing those fighting for their rights.
  
  As the song wraps up, the outro brings back the chorus, but with a twist. The lyrics are reversed, adding an extra touch of groove.
• Jain wrote "Makeba" solo with production by her longtime collaborator Maxim Nucci. Released on November 6, 2015, it peaked at #7 on the French Singles Chart.
• The song is a track on Zanaka, Jain's debut studio album. The album title, which means "child" in Malagasy, is a tribute to Jain's mother, who is of Franco-Malagasy descent.
• Greg & Lio shot the music video in South Africa. We see Jain take control of the sound deck, conjuring magic as street poles rise and fall, and buildings soar and descend. The visual's brilliance didn't go unnoticed - it received a Grammy nomination for Best Music Video.
• "Makeba" soundtracked a popular Levi's commercial in the States that aired in 2017. The joyful spot shows people from different backgrounds getting their groove on in real locations around the world. It was one of YouTube's Top 10 most-watched ads of 2017.
• In the summer of 2023, "Makeba" experienced a massive resurgence in popularity thanks to a viral TikTok dance challenge. The track became the soundtrack to a simple yet captivating four-step dance routine that took social media by storm.
  
  The dance incorporates moves like the heel kick, arm wave, and booty shake, but it also leaves room for individual creativity, allowing TikTok users to put their own unique spins on the choreography. The result was a wave of hundreds of thousands of TikTok videos, each set to the beats of "Makeba."