So K'naan's song 'Wavin' Flag' was adopted as the anthem of the World Cup.
Except for one thing.
Coca-Cola asked that K'naan change the lyrics. Here is the statement:
"For its part, 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. “The crucial moment in the discussion came when K’Naan said, ‘I can take that song, refashion some of the lyrics and give you an exclusive version,’ ” Diener says. “That’s an attempt on K’Naan’s part to revitalize the song in the spirit of the World Cup.”
“I saw it as an opportunity to reach more people,” K’Naan says. “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.”
VERY disappointing. Another artist trying to make money and the corporation steps in to fund it...with a few changes. It's not a super big deal. It's not like patrons have never done this.
But if one can't see how wrong and disappointing this is. Millions are spent on soccer and pomp and circumstance, meanwhile shack dwellers are being marginalized(as usual) people are still 'fighting to eat', Somalia is still a 'violent prone, poor people zone'
See here's the damn thing. The 'opportunity to reach more people' deal is B.S. Oh he will reach people...as a Coke advertisement. This kind of bowing to our corporate overlords(Coke is not without egregious
human rights violations) is pathetically typical.
Yeah. Have fun hanging with the Black Eyed Peas K'naan...you just lost a fan...not that it should matter, you got Coke behind you now...sellout.
