This art installation will play Toto’s ‘Africa’ in the desert for eternity
Toto’s inspiring 80s smash “Africa” found new life in 2018 after Weezer covered the track thanks to a fan’s viral campaign. The cover became the American rock band’s biggest hit in years, also igniting a flame to the original, and Toto returned the favor by covering Weezer’s “Hash Pipe.” Pitbull even sampled “Africa” in his newest single “Ocean to Ocean,” which was featured in the Aquaman movie soundtrack.
Today, the audio artifact is ingrained in the airwaves for the rest of eternity thanks to Namibian artist, Max Siedentopf, who created an art instillation in the Namib Desert of seven white pedestals and speakers on each platform blasting “Africa” on a continuous loop. The speakers are solar powered, and since they’re in the desert, there should be no shortage of Toto’s bliss unless it rains down in Africa.
Siedentopf told BBC, “I wanted to pay the song the ultimate homage and physically exhibit ‘Africa’ in Africa. Some [Namibians] love it and some say it’s probably the worst sound installation ever. I think that’s a great compliment.”
H/T: Stereogum