The original version of Wavin’ Flag (The Celebration Mix) by Somali-born artiste K’naan was recorded at Tuff Gong Recording Studio in Jamaica but it is receiving a larger second life as the official Coca-Cola song for the World Cup 2010.

There is currently no other hip-hop single which can compare to the global presence Wavin’ Flag’s chart success based on iTunes chart data. Specifically, the song–in either its original or remixed form–is currently topping the hip-hop charts in 14 countries on iTunes online music store. It is also within the top 10 in 21 of the 22 listed hip-hop country charts on iTunes with the exception of Greece. Digital sales are significant as they account for one-third of global music sales and the Apple-owned iTunes is the leading online music store accounting for 70 per cent of worldwide digital sales according to Reuters and Billboard.

The song however sinks when compared outside the hip-hop charts. The most popular song globally on iTunes incidentally is the official World Cup song, Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) which features Freshlyground and Shakira. That song tops eight country charts but is also in the top-10 in 15 of the 22 country markets.

Prior to the World Cup Wavin’ Flag was fairly popular but nowhere near its current global stature. There was no historic iTunes data to compare but the original single’s best chart result was only topping the Canadian Hot 100 at number 2, and it is currently charting at number 15 after its debut 33 weeks ago, according to Billboard, which is seen as the music bible.

Last year Damian Marley invited K’naan to record his album in Jamaica following a successful tour which featured both artistes. On that tour K’naan and the Marley sons reportedly developed a strong musical bond. It led to K’naan not only recording for his second album Troubadour, but also recording a mix tape of Marley classics. Tuff Gong told the Observer in a release that the original Wavin’ Flag was produced by Jerry Brothers, Jr and Bruno Mars and the Tuff Gong engineer for the project was Roland McDermott assisted by Oneil Smith and Michael Howell.

The remix entitled Wavin’ Flag (The Celebration Mix) which was recorded elsewhere includes an added bridge and drum orchestra. Additionally, it has over 16 country variations with collaborations that aid its international appeal. These variations thus far include one for the US, Arab world, Brazil, China, France, Greece, Haiti, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Japan, Nigeria, Spain, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam. It is now the official song of Coca-Cola for their 2010 FIFA World Cup programme and is also featured on the soundtrack of the EA Sports video game.

K’naan, which means traveller in Somali, raps mostly about his struggles from cheating death during the civil war in Somalia to his rise as an artiste in the North America. His lyrics at times berate gangster rappers citing their innocence to the horrors of war.

At 13, he and his family relocated to Harlem in the US, where they stayed briefly before moving to a Somali community in Ontario, Canada. Interestingly K’naan dropped out of school in the tenth grade. He also taught himself English.