Las Vegas the city of lights

Las Vegas. It’s a city that can break you, make you and wed you all in one night. It’s a city that can turn your world upside down in a role of the dice. With its loose morals and relaxed laws on gambling, Las Vegas is a global symbol of excess. Having been hit hard by the recession, Las Vegas is booming once again. Its population is on the increase as more jobs are created in the Nevadan city. This economic upturn is powered by the whopping 39 million people who visit the city each year with many of them putting their casino online skills to the test on Vegas’ gambling tables.

Such a strong tourism industry has seen colossal hotel-casinos open along Vegas’ 4mile Strip. The Mirage Hotel with its 3,000 rooms was the first of its kind to open in 1989. A few years later the Egyptian Luxor, with over 4,400 rooms, was built and this was soon followed by the MGM Grand which now has over 6,000 rooms. Such vast hotels have been bankrolled by the addictive nature of the super casinos within them. The average visitor to Vegas spends just over $1,000 as they look to create memories reminiscent of Hollywood movies.

With its Mob past and decedent activities, Vegas is a firm favourite with Hollywood. Over the years countless amounts of films have fed into the Las Vegas myth. From the recent Hangover trilogy to Ocean’s 11 starring Brad Pitt and George Clooney – Hollywood loves promoting Las Vegas as a sinful, anything goes place and, in truth, it is! Away from the gambling tables, Las Vegas is home to world class shopping facilities and numerous fine dining establishments for you to immerse yourself in. Nowhere does glamour quite like Las Vegas. In fact, you may leave Las Vegas but Las Vegas never leaves you!

Brazilian star Claudia Leitte to perform with Pitbull and Jennifer Lopez on the official song for the 2014 FIFA World Cup™

© Getty Images

One of the vital ingredients of the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ has today been confirmed, with the announcement by FIFA and Sony Music of the artists behind the event’s official song. One of Brazil’s hottest musical talents, Claudia Leitte, will team up with global superstars Pitbull and Jennifer Lopez on the track entitled “We Are One (Ole Ola)”.

Following the success of Shakira’s “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” at the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa™, the new single, written and co-produced by Pitbull, is set to bring the passion of Brazilto the world when it is officially released by Sony Music later this year. Capturing the colourful atmosphere of the 2014 host nation, the song will ignite the excitement felt by football fans around the world in the lead-up to the 2014 FIFA World Cup™.

The announcement was made on Thursday, 23 January, at the Maracanã football stadium, with Claudia Leitte and Pitbull joining FIFA Secretary General Jérôme Valcke as well as LOC President José Maria Marin, Brazilian Deputy Sports Minister Luis Fernandes, LOC Board Member and footballing great Bebeto and two-time FIFA World Cup winner Cafu for an exclusive visit to the venue for the 2014 FIFA World Cup final.

Speaking at the Maracanã on Thursday, FIFA Secretary General Jérôme Valcke said: “FIFA and Sony Music are extremely excited to share the exciting talent of Claudia Leitte with the world, alongside such internationally celebrated artists as Pitbull and Jennifer Lopez. In my many visits to this country, I’ve heard a lot about the great Brazilian music tradition and it gives me great pleasure to see a Brazilian artist at the heart of this song. I’m sure, like me, millions of football and music fans all over the world will be eagerly awaiting the song’s release.”

“I am very happy and thrilled to represent my country at the FIFA World Cup alongside these two amazing artists who I admire and respect. I love sharing my culture and country to people through music!” said Claudia Leitte. “The FIFA World Cup is one of the biggest events on the planet, and I look forward to dancing samba with Pitbull and Jennifer Lopez in Brazil - we are one!”

“I’m honored to join Jennifer Lopez and Claudia Leitte at the FIFA World Cup to bring the world together,” said Pitbull. “I truly believe that this great game and the power of music will help unify us, because we are best when we are one.”

“We Are One (Ole Ola)” will debut later this year ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup™, and will be included on the upcoming “Official 2014 FIFA World Cup Album” to be released by Sony Music Entertainment. A video for “We Are One (Ole Ola)” is also in development.

FIFA and Sony Music have enjoyed a successful partnership in the World Cup’s official music programme ever since 1994. The tradition of an official song dates back to the 1966 FIFA World Cup™ in England with a song for the first Official Mascot, the lion “World Cup Willie”. Ever since, the official music programme and the Official Mascot have become an increasingly significant component of the event, providing an excellent opportunity for people other than football fans to identify with the world’s biggest single-sport event.

Official songs at recent FIFA World Cup™ competitions have included “Un’estate italiana” by Edoardo Bennato and Gianna Nannini in 1990, “Gloryland” by Daryl Hall with Sounds of Blackness in 1994, and “La Copa de la Vida” by Ricky Martin in 1998. In 2002, the official song was “Boom” by Anastacia, and there was also an official anthem by Vangelis featuring typical Korean and Japanese sounds. In 2006, “The Time of Our Lives” by the Il Divo quartet was a resounding success, followed in 2010 by “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” written by Shakira who performed alongside South African band Freshlyground.

FIFA.COM