Attaching yourself to a popular song for political gains can be a tricky business, with past gaffes including Ronald Reagan's legendary misuse of Bruce Springsteen's "Born in the U.S.A." and Stephen Harper's butchering of "Imagine." Now Canadian rapper K'naan has disapproved of U.S. Republican party nominee Mitt Romney's apparent usage of the Canadian singer's hit song "Wavin' Flag."
As the Toronto Star points out [via AUX], a tweet from Huffington Post writer Jon Ward claimed that Romney's team blasted the unifying anthem shortly after the politician beat Newt Gingrich in the Florida primary last night (January 31), which caused a bit of uproar on Twitter. K'naan himself stepped into the fray almost immediately to dissociate himself from the Republican hopeful.
"Yo @mittromney I am K'naan Warsame and I do not endorse this message," K'naan tweeted.
So far, that's all K'naan has said about the incident, and a response has not been made by Romney's camp.
This is the second song deflation on the campaign trail this week, following '80s rockers Survivor's lawsuit against Gingrich for using of their well-known number "Eye of the Tiger" without permission.
As previously reported, K'naan just released his new digital EP More Beautiful Than Silence this week.
UPDATE: K'naan's camp has now issued an official statement about the song's alleged use, stating he is seeking legal action. You can read the entire statement below.
A&M/Octone recording artist K'NAAN was dismayed to learn that his song "Waving Flag" was used by Mitt Romney in his speech last night following Florida's Republican primary.
The artist was not aware that the song would be used by Romney and the campaign is not something K'NAAN endorses.
"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 Obama campaign use of my song without prejudice."
K'NAAN is currently seeking legal action so that further use of the song by Romney's campaign can be prevented.
As the Toronto Star points out [via AUX], a tweet from Huffington Post writer Jon Ward claimed that Romney's team blasted the unifying anthem shortly after the politician beat Newt Gingrich in the Florida primary last night (January 31), which caused a bit of uproar on Twitter. K'naan himself stepped into the fray almost immediately to dissociate himself from the Republican hopeful.
"Yo @mittromney I am K'naan Warsame and I do not endorse this message," K'naan tweeted.
So far, that's all K'naan has said about the incident, and a response has not been made by Romney's camp.
This is the second song deflation on the campaign trail this week, following '80s rockers Survivor's lawsuit against Gingrich for using of their well-known number "Eye of the Tiger" without permission.
As previously reported, K'naan just released his new digital EP More Beautiful Than Silence this week.
UPDATE: K'naan's camp has now issued an official statement about the song's alleged use, stating he is seeking legal action. You can read the entire statement below.
A&M/Octone recording artist K'NAAN was dismayed to learn that his song "Waving Flag" was used by Mitt Romney in his speech last night following Florida's Republican primary.
The artist was not aware that the song would be used by Romney and the campaign is not something K'NAAN endorses.
"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 Obama campaign use of my song without prejudice."
K'NAAN is currently seeking legal action so that further use of the song by Romney's campaign can be prevented.