Toto's 'Africa' will be played on repeat for infinity in a remote desert

15 January 2019, 09:51

Toto Africa
Picture: Columbia

By Tom Eames

We'll forever bless the rains...

It's one of the world's most popular songs, and if you just can't get enough of it, you might want to take a trip to the world's oldest desert.

The Namib coastal desert in Africa now contains a permanent sound installation, which will play Toto's classic tune 'Africa' on loop.

The Story of... 'Africa' by Toto

Namibian artist Max Siedentopf created the art piece, which will apparently play forever with solar batteries "to keep Toto going for all eternity".

The 1982 song was the most streamed song in 2017, and has over 440m views on YouTube.

A modest hit at the time, it has grown in popularity over the years thanks to modern pop culture and internet memes.

Africa by Toto to play 'for all eternity' in Namib desert

"[I] wanted to pay the song the ultimate homage and physically exhibit 'Africa' in Africa," the 27-year-old artist told the BBC.

"Some [Namibians] love it and some say it's probably the worst sound installation ever. I think that's a great compliment."

It is contained in an undisclosed spot in the 55-million-year-old Namib desert, with six speakers attached to an MP3 player with just the classic song on it.

Toto - Africa (Official Music Video)

Siedentopf added that he hopes the song will play for another 55 million years.

"Most parts of the installation were chosen to be as durable as possible, but I'm sure the harsh environment of the desert will devour the installation eventually."

But will anyone find it? Challenge accepted.