Somali Canadian emcee/singer Kā€™Naan released a statement today, revealing his disapproval of former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romneyā€™s use of the song ā€œWavinā€™ Flagā€. Romney used the 2010 song after the Florida Republican Primary last night (January 31), as the candidate runs for Presidency in the United States.

In a statement, Kā€™Naan said, ā€œI have not been asked for permission by Mitt Romneyā€™s campaign for the use of my song. If I had been asked, I would certainly not have granted it. I would happily grant the [President Barack] Obama campaign use of my song without prejudice.ā€

If elected as the candidate to the Republican party, Mitt Romney will run against Democrat Barack Obama in November.

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ā€œWavinā€™ Flagā€ appeared on Troubadour.

Earlier today, Kā€™Naanā€™s EP, More Beautiful Than Silencedebuted on the Top 200 of the album sales charts. The A&M Records release features Nas and Nelly Furtado.

Update (2/3/12):According to the New York Times, Mitt Romneyā€™s camp will no longer be playing Kā€™Naanā€™s ā€œWaving Flagā€ during any of the Republican Presidential Candidateā€™s future events. Romneyā€™s camp played the song after a victory speech during the Florida Primary.

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Likely unpleased by the conservative politician using his music, Kā€™Naan reached out directly to Romneyā€™s camp via Twitter and said he didnā€™t endorse the use of the songā€”and by extension, Romneyā€™s platform. There was talk of possibly pursuing legal action, as songwriter Frankie Sullivan has sued former Speaker of the House (and Romneyā€™s rival for the Republican nomination), Newt Gingrich. However it looks as if that wonā€™t be necessary.

ā€œThe song was used through our regular blanket license, but we respect Kā€™Naanā€™s statement and will not use his music again,ā€ Romney spokeswoman Andrea Saul told the Times.

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Yo @mittromney I am Kā€™naan Warsame and I do not endorse this message.
Feb 01 via Twitter for iPhoneFavoriteRetweetReply