~5 global artists collaborate to celebrate cricket’s spirit of togetherness with Way-O, Way-O~
National, 28th May 2019: As part of its exciting partnership with the International Cricket Council (ICC), Uber, the world’s largest personal mobility company, has released Way-O, Way-O, a song to energize fans at one of the world’s most anticipated sports tournaments - the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, 2019.
The rhythmic anthem is a cultural blend of harmonies, written by Sonal Dabral (Ogilvy) and composed, produced and curated by Michael (Mikey) McCleary. Promoting a truly global spirit of togetherness, acclaimed artists across five participating countries have put together Way-O, Way-O. The makers include Sanam, a popular Indian band known for its renditions of classical Bollywood songs, alongside other globally acclaimed artists such as Jahmiel (Jamaica), Catherine Taylor Dawson (United Kingdom), Simba Diallo (New Zealand) and Choir group - Khayelitsha United Mambazo (South Africa).
The song will be played on stadium screens during game breaks through the tournament.
Sport and music have always evoked strong emotions and helped foster a global spirit of unity and togetherness. Uber’s Way-O Way-O ignites these passions to celebrate the Cricket World Cup and also gives fans something to cheer along their favorite teams.
Uber’s Chief International Business Officer, Brooks Entwistle said, “Uber is committed to moving people forward and providing them their favorite foods to share with family and friends at the touch of a button. In line with this vision of removing barriers, our first ever cricket anthem celebrates cricket’s spirit of togetherness. Music transcends geographical barriers and will give fans a powerful voice to express love for their favorite team and players.”
Commenting on the experience of collaborating with ICC, Uber and other like-minded global artists, Sanam said, “First of all we want to thank Mikey McCleary for trusting us with the song. It was a fun experience recording the song with him. We are thrilled that Uber has given us an opportunity to collaborate with so many talented and creative artists from around the world. Having grown up in a cricket loving nation like India, creating this signature song has been a labor of love for us and we’re confident that fans across the globe will connect to the anthem and thrive in the spirit of its cultural harmony.”
Excited about the launch, Simba Diallo from New Zealand said, “The journey of creating this musical cheer that fosters solidarity and togetherness with such talented composers and singers from around the world has been great fun. I believe the anthem will truly bring all cricketing nations closer together to cheer on and spread the joy of the game!”
Khayelitsha United Mambazo from South Africa said, “It is a great honour for us to represent the African voice and nations in this song which we know is going to become an earworm anthem across cricket playing nations and beyond! It has been an incredible experience to collaborate with talented singers and composers who’ve made the song come alive so beautifully, and we are excited to hear it and see it come alive during the championships. Thanks Uber, We’re on Our Way-O!’’
Catherine Taylor Dawson from UK said, “Cricket is a much-loved sport in England with the World Cup being one of its most awaited sporting events. I’m delighted to be a part of this exciting project to co-create this signature anthem with singers across the world. It’s a wonderful positive message I’m sure it will resonate globally.”
International Reggae artist Jahmiel from Jamaica said, It’s an honour to be associated with so many talented international artists from cricket loving nations to create this first ever anthem. As someone who loves to see unity between different nationalities during cricket, the World Cup always brings fond memories and it is a great feeling to know that I am a part of a project, which will have such a great impact on cricket fans all over the world. I do hope, like cricket, this anthem helps fans connect and bond together to cheer on their favorite sport”.
Sanam, one of the five international music groups which has put together the anthem, play for a radio audience in Mumbai, India. From Left, Keshav Dhanraj, Venky S, Samar Puri and Sanam Puri
ABOUT UBER
Uber’s mission is to create opportunity through movement. Uber started in 2010 to solve a simple problem: how do you get access to a ride at the touch of a button? More than 10 billion trips later, Uber is building products to get people closer to where they want to be. By changing how people, food, and things move through cities, Uber is a platform that opens up the world to new possibilities.
ABOUT THE ICC CRICKET WORLD CUP 2019
- The tournament will run from 30 May to 14 July. The semi-finals will be played at Old Trafford in Manchester and Edgbaston in Birmingham on 9 and 11 July respectively, while Lord’s will host the final on 14 July.
- 11 venues across England and Wales will be used, namely Cardiff Wales Stadium in Cardiff (four matches), Bristol County Ground in Bristol (three matches), County Ground Taunton in Taunton (three matches), Edgbaston in Birmingham (five matches, including the second semi-final), Hampshire Bowl in Southampton (five matches), Headingley in Leeds (four matches), Lord’s in London (five matches, including the final), Old Trafford in Manchester (six matches, including the first semi-final), The Oval in London (five matches, including the tournament opener), The Riverside Durham in Chester-le-Street (three matches) and Trent Bridge in Nottingham (five matches)
- The 10 teams in the tournament will play against each other in a single-league format, with the top four sides after 45 matches to qualify for the two semi-finals
- England and Wales have previously staged ICC Cricket World Cups in 1975, 1979, 1983 and 1999
- Australia is the most successful team in the history of the World Cup, having won events in 1987, 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2015. The West Indies won the first two editions in 1975 and 1979, while India won in 1983 and 2011. Other winners are Pakistan in 1992 and Sri Lanka in 1996