Music
K'naan changes lyrics of "Wavin' Flag" for Coca-Cola World Cup tour
by Ciaran Thompson
June 10, 2010
By now you must know that Canadian artist K’Naan’s track “Wavin’ Flag” is the official song of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa set to kick off this Friday. What may be news to you is the fact that the rapper had to change some of the lyrics to jive with the Coca-Cola sponsored event. Before fans and critics scream “sell-out” the outspoken artist was quick to defend his actions.
“I saw it as an opportunity to reach more people,” K’Naan told Billboard. “I don’t work for Coke or anything; what I do is my music. This was a really great opportunity for them to use my song, without compromising my integrity as a musician. This is what I write, these are the songs I make. I’m happy about it.”
Coca-Cola loved K’Naan’s song but felt the lyrics involving “a violent prone, poor people zone” and people “struggling, fighting to eat” didn’t mesh with the sponsor’s theme. In response to this A&M/Octone Records president/CEO James Diener said K’Naan promised to ‘take that song, refashion some of the lyrics and give you an exclusive version.’
The song has been recorded by several international artists so that it makes a global impact, even without the constant barrage of television and radio commercials.
