| "Wavin' Flag" | ||||||||
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| Single by K'naan | ||||||||
| from the album Troubadour | ||||||||
| Released | March 18, 2009 | |||||||
| Format | Digital download | |||||||
| Recorded | 2008 | |||||||
| Genre | Alternative hip hop, pop, world music, Reggae | |||||||
| Length | 3:41 | |||||||
| Label | A&M/Octone | |||||||
| Writer(s) | Keinan Abdi Warsame, Peter Hernandez, Philip Lawrence, Jean Daval | |||||||
| Producer | Kerry Brothers, Jr., Bruno Mars | |||||||
| Certification | 3x Platinum (CRIA)[1] | |||||||
| K'naan singles chronology | ||||||||
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"Wavin' Flag" is a song by Somali-Canadian artist K'naan from his album Troubadour. The song was a global hit, reaching the top ten in 19 charts around the world and was chosen as Coca-Cola's promotional anthem for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, hosted by South Africa. The English version was released as "Wavin' Flag (Celebration Mix)" by K'naan. A version of the song featuring will.i.am and David Guetta was targeted for international release. Many other bilingual and country-specific versions were released. A remake of the song by an ad hoc supergroup of Canadian artists, credited as Young Artists for Haiti, became a charity single in Canada.
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The original single of "Wavin' Flag" appeared originally on his album Troubadour. The single reached #2 on the Canadian Hot 100 as the third official single from the album, which was produced by Kerry Brothers, Jr. and Bruno Mars.[2] K'naan first performed the song acoustically live on Q TV, where he gave viewers a preview of Troubadour prior to its release.[3]
| "Wavin' Flag (Celebration Mix)" |
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| Single by K'naan | ||||||||||
| from the album Troubadour: Champion Edition | ||||||||||
| Released | April 30, 2010 | |||||||||
| Format | Digital download | |||||||||
| Genre | Pop, hip hop, Reggae | |||||||||
| Length | 3:38 | |||||||||
| Label | Universal Music Group | |||||||||
| Writer(s) | K'naan, Bruno Mars, Philip Lawrence, Jean Daval | |||||||||
| Producer | The Smeezingtons | |||||||||
| K'naan singles chronology | ||||||||||
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In 2010, a remix of the song, entitled the "Celebration Mix", was recorded for use as Coca-Cola's promotional anthem for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, hosted by South Africa.[4] This version reached number one in Germany, Switzerland and Austria and number two in Canada, Italy, the United Kingdom, and Ireland.
Coca-Cola described the remix as "inspired by the joyous dance celebrations familiar to Africa." Coca-Cola integrated its jingle, well known from previous Coca-Cola commercials, into the mix, generating a direct association between the remixed song and the brand. The song was used throughout the entire tournament, and was featured on all worldwide versions of the Coca-Cola campaign. The song was also played at events for the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour, where K'naan performed this version live for the first time, and featured on the online digital platform for the World Cup. The music video for the remix includes a guest appearance by Malhar Chitnis.[5] The remix video was recorded in Estadio Centenario in Montevideo, the site of the first 1930 FIFA World Cup Final. The remix version appears on the Champion Edition of Troubadour.
Although the remix features many elements of the original song, it includes most notably a new pre-chorus that sets the uplifting, unified tone of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, turning the song into one that is more open, more inviting and more celebratory. "I'm so proud of this [new] version," K'naan told Billboard.Biz. The new version also removes many of the darker lyrics of the original song. According to Billboard, Coca Cola "loved the song but noted that lyrical references to 'a violent prone, poor people zone' and people 'struggling, fighting to eat' didn't fit the campaign's themes".[6]
| “ | "We took something like 50 drums and did this crazy mix for it. It's about the one time that we all get together and the world forgets its conflict and its problems and we focus on this unity and celebration. That moment is connected now to 'Wavin' Flag.'" | ” |
| "Wavin' Flag (Celebration Mix) Maxi-single CD" |
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| Single by K'naan feat. will.i.am & David Guetta | ||||||||||
| from the album Troubadour: Champion Edition | ||||||||||
| Released | May 14, 2010 | |||||||||
| Format | Digital download | |||||||||
| Genre | Pop, hip hop, Reggae | |||||||||
| Label | Universal Music Group, A&M Records | |||||||||
| Producer | Afrojack, David Guetta, Kerry "Krucial" Brothers, The Smeezingtons, Will.i.am | |||||||||
| K'naan feat. will.i.am & David Guetta singles chronology | ||||||||||
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A remix of "Wavin' Flag", which features French music producer David Guetta and American rapper, producer and The Black Eyed Peas frontman will.i.am, was made for international release outside of Canada. Will.i.am's solo parts were exclusively written for the international version, and for the K'naan part, some of the lyrics were amended. his version of the song was mixed by hit engineer Dylan "3-D" Dresdow. This version was later released as the B-side to the Celebration Mix.[7] The maxi-single CD also included the Spanish adaptation with the Spanish language verses written by Rafael Vergara and interpreted by David Bisbal.
The maxisingle release tracklist:[8]
The version featuring will.i.am and David Guetta was released as the single B-side to "Wavin' Flag (Celebration Mix)" single release in Europe.
A separate music video was made for this version, with the artists performing in front of a large black flag. However some scenes were used from the original Canadian music video and from K'naan's "Wavin' Flag (The Celebration Mix)" music video intertwined with visuals of the new video.
Many bilingual versions of the Celebration Mix have been made, for use in each of their respective countries. The initial bilingual version was recorded by K'naan and Spanish singer David Bisbal, sung in both English and Spanish, and targeting all Spanish-speaking markets, including Spain, Mexico, Central and South America. This version was entitled the "Spanish Celebration Mix", and was officially made available for digital download in February 2010. As a part of the promotion, a music video of the Spanish Celebration Mix was filmed and released for the song.[9] Another version sung in both English and Arabic, featuring Nancy Ajram, a multi-platinum Lebanese singer and spokesperson for Coca-Cola Middle East, was released in all Middle Eastern Countries. This version, entitled the "Arabic Celebration Mix", also had a music video recorded for it. Scenes were filmed in Denmark, Portugal, Brazil, Lebanon and South Africa.[10] A Chinese version, featuring Jacky Cheung and Jane Zhang, reached #1 on China Music Chart.,[11] and a Thai version, featuring Tattoo Colour, charted at #3 there.
Versions released under Coca-Cola sponsorship for 2010 FIFA World Cup:[12]
Unofficial releases collaborate with FIFA 2010 Coca Cola campaign theme
| "Wavin' Flag (Haiti Mix)" |
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| Single by Young Artists for Haiti | ||
| Released | March 12, 2010 | |
| Format | Digital download, CD single | |
| Recorded | February 18, 2010 | |
| Genre | Pop, hip hop, Reggae | |
| Length | 3:55 | |
| Label | Universal Music Canada | |
| Writer(s) | K'naan | |
| Producer | Bob Ezrin | |
| Certification | ||
| Music video | ||
| "Wavin' Flag" on YouTube | ||
In 2010, the song was remade by a supergroup of Canadian artists, credited as Young Artists for Haiti, as a charity single to benefit relief efforts following the 2010 Haiti earthquake.[32] The charity single was spearheaded by producer Bob Ezrin, engineered by Mike Fraser and was reworked to include specific lyrics for Haiti, including a rap solo by Drake. It was released on March 12, 2010[33] with proceeds going to Free the Children, War Child Canada and World Vision Canada. This new version went straight to #1 on the Canadian charts.
Participating soloists included K'naan, Nelly Furtado, Sam Roberts, Avril Lavigne, Pierre Bouvier, Tyler Connolly, Kardinal Offishall, Jully Black, Lights, Deryck Whibley, Serena Ryder, Jacob Hoggard, Emily Haines, Hawksley Workman, Drake, Chin Injeti, Ima, Pierre Lapointe, Elisapie Isaac, Esthero, Corb Lund, Fefe Dobson, Nikki Yanofsky, Matt Mays, Justin Nozuka and Justin Bieber. Performing the chorus were Arkells, Lamar Ashe, Broken Social Scene, Torquil Campbell, Canadian Tenors, Aion Clarke, City and Colour, Tom Cochrane, Jim Cuddy, Jim Creeggan, Kathleen Edwards, Dave Faber, Jessie Farrell, Colin James, Pat Kordyback, Brandon Lehti, Colin MacDonald, Jay Malinowski, Stacey McKitrick, Suzie McNeil, Stephan Moccio, Kevin Parent, Josh Ramsay, Red 1, Hayley Sales, James Shaw and Shiloh.[34] Students from Vancouver high schools Lord Byng Secondary and Magee Secondary also voluntarily participated by playing together as an orchestra. A music video was shot for the charity single at The Warehouse Studio in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.[35] In March 2011, the single won a Juno award for "Single of the Year".
| Preceded by "Don't Believe" by Mehrzad Marashi |
Austrian Singles Chart number-one single May 28, 2010 – June 24, 2010 |
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| Preceded by "I Believe" by Nikki Yanofsky |
Canadian Hot 100 number-one single March 27, 2010 - May 8, 2010 |
Succeeded by "Break Your Heart" by Taio Cruz |
| Succeeded by "Waka Waka" by Shakira feat. Freshlyground |
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| Preceded by "Don't Believe" by Mehrzad Marashi "Satellite" by Lena |
German Singles Chart number-one single May 28, 2010 – June 10, 2010 (first run) June 18, 2010 – June 24, 2010 (second run) |
Succeeded by "Satellite" by Lena "Waka Waka" by Shakira feat. Freshlyground |
| Preceded by "Break Your Heart" by Taio Cruz feat. Ludacris "Satellite" by Lena |
Swiss Singles Chart number-one single May 23, 2010 – June 12, 2010 (first run) June 20, 2010 – June 26, 2010 (second run) |
Succeeded by "Satellite" by Lena "Waka Waka" by Shakira feat. Freshlyground |
| Preceded by "Satellite" by Lena |
European Hot 100 number-one single June 26, 2010 – July 16, 2010 |
Succeeded by "California Gurls" by Katy Perry feat. Snoop Dogg |
| Preceded by "Frisky" by Tinie Tempah feat. Labrinth |
UK R&B Chart number-one single June 20, 2010 – July 3, 2010 |
Succeeded by "Airplanes" by B.o.B. feat. Hayley Williams |
| Preceded by "Gettin' Over You" by David Guetta & Chris Willis feat. Fergie & LMFAO |
Scottish Singles Chart number-one single June 19, 2010 – June 25, 2010 |
Succeeded by "California Gurls" by Katy Perry feat. Snoop Dogg |
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