"Wavin' Flag" - K'Naan's Soaring Anthem Taking the World (Cup) by Storm

If you've been watching TV in the lead-up to the 2010 FIFA World Cup, you've probably heard "Wavin' Flag," the anthemic song by Somali-born Canadian rapper K'Naan. That's because the song has been chosen as Coca-Cola's official World Cup anthem, to be used in its commercials and other promotional efforts.

"Wavin' Flag," originally on K'Naan's 2009 album "Troubador," has been revamped and revised into a number of "celebration mixes" that are being used around the world, featuring duets with K'Naan and different local stars: Lebanese singer Nancy Ajram for the Arabic version; Spanish superstar David Bisbal for the Spanish version. (An English-language version that's being used internationally features K'Naan with will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas and French DJ David Guetta).

K'Naan performed "Wavin' Flag" at the World Cup Celebration Concert on June 10th, which was shown live in a worldwide webcast. (The concert will be broadcast in the U.S. by ABC on Friday, June 11th at 8 p.m. Eastern.)

For a more stripped-down, but still stirring, version of "Wavin' Flag," see the acoustic rendition K'Naan and band did for the CBC's "Q" show last year.

For more background on the performer, see this article I wrote on K'Naan and his remarkable journey on Xomba.com.