The Namib Desert will host an art installation that plays Toto’s “Africa” on loop.

Namibian artist Max Siedentopf has set up a sound installation in the coastal desert that, according to the BBC, is fuelled by solar batteries “to keep Toto going for all eternity”.

The set-up includes six speakers attached to an MP3 player with the single track on it.

“Africa”, released in 1982, has since gone quadruple platinum, and was the most streamed song in 2017, with over 440m views on YouTube, becoming deeply embedded in today’s meme and pop culture.

The song was most recently covered by Pitbull in the Warner Bros’ film Aquaman, with Mr Worldwide adding new lyrics – some about Banksy, others about the sea – and having Rhea sing the chorus.

“[I] wanted to pay the song the ultimate homage and physically exhibit ‘Africa’ in Africa,” the 27-year-old artist said. “Some [Namibians] love it and some say it’s probably the worst sound installation ever. I think that’s a great compliment.”

He said that he hopes the song will play for 55m years, adding: “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.”

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