Somali Canadian emcee/singer K’Naan released a statement today, revealing his disapproval of former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney’s use of the song “Wavin’ Flag”
. 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, K’Naan said, “I have not been asked for permission by Mitt Romney’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.”
If elected as the candidate to the Republican party, Mitt Romney will run against Democrat Barack Obama in November.
“Wavin’ Flag” appeared on Troubadour.
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Earlier today, K’Naan’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 Romney’s camp will no longer be playing K’Naan’s “Waving Flag” during any of the Republican Presidential Candidate’s future events. Romney’s camp played the song after a victory speech during the Florida Primary.
Likely unpleased by the conservative politician using his music, K’Naan reached out directly to Romney’s camp via Twitter and said he didn’t endorse the use of the song—and by extension, Romney’s platform. There was talk of possibly pursuing legal action, as songwriter Frankie Sullivan has sued former Speaker of the House (and Romney’s rival for the Republican nomination), Newt Gingrich. However it looks as if that won’t be necessary.
“The song was used through our regular blanket license, but we respect K’Naan’s statement and will not use his music again,” Romney spokeswoman Andrea Saul told the Times.
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