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Cynthia Goode

Dr. Adrienne Cassel

ENG 1201.500

June 27, 2021

Analysis of Waving' flag by K'naan and Young Artist for Haiti

"When I get older, I will be stronger/They'll call me freedom, just like a Waving flag…".

(K'naan 1:12-1:31). Listening to the above extract of the chorus in both versions of the song

"Waving Flag" prompts the interest to know the motivation behind such an inspirational and

emotional song.

Even though "Waving' flag Coca-Cola remix" by K'naan and "Waving' flag" by Young

Artist for Haiti share a similar theme, they appeal to different audiences and use different

rhetoric to send their message across. The two versions both share the theme of freedom and

hope for a future where there is peace and love amongst humankind

"Waving Flag" was initially released as a reggae R&B memoir by K'naan on March 18,

2009, from the album Troubadour produced by Kerry Brothers Jr and Bruno Mars. K'naan is a

Somali- Canadian Artist, and he tells his rough childhood experience back in Mogadishu during

the Somalia civil war in this song "Waving Flag."

At the time of the devastating earthquake in Haiti, a group of young Canadian artists

came together to remake a rendition of Knaan's "Waving flag "to benefit the victims of the Haiti

earthquake. The Young Artist for Haiti's version brought together popular Canadian arts,

including Drake, Serena Ryder, Emily Haines, Jully Black, and Justin Bieber. Also, K'naan made

a special introductory appearance.

In the Young Artist for Haiti Version, after the chorus "when I get older, I will be

stronger…" which reiterates the message to the audience, K'naan starts with the introductory

verse "Born to a throne, stronger than Rome/ but violent prone, poor people zone" (0:26-0:33).

He paired this hyperbole with symbolism to illustrate his quest for freedom and willingness to be

as strong as Rome to get his freedom even though he is in a war and poor people zone. He used

Rome because Rome is most often used to represent Power. Nelly Furtado further explains in

this verse that despite the poverty and war in this zone, it is his home, all he has known. The

Haitian community, especially the young ones during the earthquake, will relate to this verse and

be encouraged just like K'naan to have hope for the future despite their present condition.

The Young artist version's message is so urgent that Jully Black, in her verse, states, "we

cannot wait for some fateful day/ It is too far away so right now I will say" (1:01-1:08). To

reiterate the urgency of their message, Drake entreats listeners not to think it is too far even to

care because the urge to make a change lies within.

The artists in this video use pathos to send their message to the target audience. Poignant

visuals from Haiti evoke viewers' emotions that will likely get the audience to donate for relief.

The target audience is those in the middle and higher socioeconomic status because the primary

purpose of this rendition is to raise funds to support victims of the Haiti earthquake. Also, this

video targets children who are primarily in a devastating situation like young K'naan years ago.

In addition, seeing and listening to young Justin Bieber's outro will appeal to the emotions of

children, young adults, and parents.

Furthermore, the video used Ethos as rhetoric to show the message's credibility using

famous young artists. These famous young artists will not get involved in it if it is not urgent or

important.
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On the other hand, the Waving flag Coca- Cola remix version is a rendition of the

original with lyrics meant for celebratory and joyful moments. After the original version and the

Young Artists for Haiti version received pleasing audiences and awards, the Coca-Cola company

sponsored a promotional rendition for the 2010 FIFA World cup in South Africa to show their

support for a game that unites and brings the world together.

This rendition has K'naan and a group of children from different parts of the world in a

joyous and celebratory mood. The video starts with a display of flags of various nations amidst

enthusiastic drumming. Then, there is Joyful chanting, "Oh oh oh oh oh, oh oh oh oh oh." (0:22-

0:34).

In this song, K'naan refers to the soccer players as champions who are about to take the

field now to define the nations they represent. He implores them to make their countries proud

because everybody nationwide is in a celebratory mood with heads lifted to see the champions.

He also entreats everybody to rejoice in the beautiful game together.

Using the same chorus as the Young Artists for Haiti version, "When I get older, I will be

stronger they will call me Freedom just like a Waving' Flag," K'naan in this video is repeating his

hope for a future of freedom. In addition, the video use Logos to get the message of unity and

love amongst nations to the audience.

The line "Let's rejoice in the beautiful game and together at the end of the day, we will all

say" appeals to the rational mind about the peace and unity soccer brings and the need to

continue with that peace amongst nations even after the World Cup. K'naan playing soccer on the

field and at the beach with children from different geographical locations and cultures asserts the

essence of soccer. Thus tolerating each other even when you are from different nations or
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cultures, giving fair judgment, and accepting defeat during competitions with a handshake and

hugs without violence or retribution, just like in soccer for peaceful coexistence.

The scenario in a soccer game asserts how nations should treat each other and live in

peace. The audience here is soccer fans nationwide and the younger generation. The chorus of

the song gives a feeling of encouragement and hope to the younger generation. Although

recorded for different purposes and target audiences, both versions have a central theme of hope

for a better future, especially for the younger generation.

This analysis brings back memories of my reaction to the song "Waving' flag" when it

was first released and was like a household anthem amongst children in Ghana. I remember

Waving my hands in the air and repeating the chorus, "When I get older, I will be stronger…"

like a champion ready to take over the world. However, doing this felt so empowering, which is

why "Wavingg' flag" is still one of my favorite songs.

Works Cited

K'NAAN "Waving' Flag (Coca-Cola Celebration Mix)." YouTube, uploaded by Knaan, 5 March

2010, www.youtube.com/watch?v=WTJSt4wP2ME. Accessed 20 June 2021.

Young Artist for Haiti. "Waving' Flag." YouTube, uploaded by YounArtistHaitiVEVO, 9 March

2010, www.youtube.com/watch?v=nB7L1BIDELc. Accessed 20 June 2021.