British reggae icons UB40 have have dropped the official anthem of the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. The song, called 'Champion', also features rappers Dapz On The Map & Gilly G on the track.
The tune has been released with an "uplifting and inspirational" new video which the band says reflect the spirit of the games. The track also features a horn line from the late Brian Travers, UB40's saxophonist, co-songwriter and founding member.
The song is already gathering traction on radio stations and streaming services across the UK. It was given its radio debut by Radio 2's Zoe Ball who said: “This is going to stick in your head, it’s massive.”
UB40 are one of the UK's most successful British groups of all time, achieving three UK Number Ones – Red, Red Wine, I Got You Babe (ft. Chrissie Hynde) and (I Can’t Help ) Falling In Love with You – as well as 17 Top 10 singles and more than 50 UK hit singles. The band have sold 100 million records while taking their smooth reggae and pop blend to all corners of the globe, with hits such as ‘Food For Thought’, ‘Cherry Oh Baby’ and ‘Kingston Town’.
Since forming in 1978, the band won an Ivor Novello Award, was nominated for the BRIT Award for Best British Group in 1984 and the Grammy Award for Best Reggae Album four times between 1987 and 2006.
Champion is the official Commonwealth Games song and celebrates the games coming to England for the first time in 20 years. The band hailed the track as a "celebration of Birmingham" and it is also the first single from UB40’s upcoming album UB45 which will be released early 2023.
Member Robin Campbell said: “We are proud to be representing the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games with the official anthem ‘Champion’. Birmingham represents the best of global Britain and it’s our pleasure to showcase this to the world.
"Birmingham is a city of champions!”
Matt Doyle added: "Champion is all about positivity. It's about being uplifted and putting that energy into whatever gets you up in the morning- whether it be music, art or sport or whatever it is. It’s about doing what you do best and excelling at that, celebrating being a champion. "
After the Commonwealth Games, UB40 founders Robin Campbell, James Brown, Earl Falconer, Norman Hassan, long-time members Martin Meredith, Laurence Parry along with Tony Mullings, Ian Thompson and Matt Doyle, who was announced as the band’s new lead singer in 2021 following Duncan Campbell’s retirement, will embark on their 45th Anniversary with a celebratory arena tour in the UK and Ireland this December. They will play Castlebar, Belfast, Leeds, London’s iconic Wembley Arena and a special hometown performance at Birmingham’s Utilita Arena as part of the tour.
Robin Campbell, Guitarist and Vocalist says: “Our 45th anniversary doesn’t bear thinking about, but the celebrations will be great fun starting in the UK arenas in December. These shows and the new album represent our brotherhood and celebrating our history but also taking our next step together as a band.
"We are pushing new boundaries and looking to the future with our frontman Matt Doyle, and we can’t wait to show the world how good he is with us and how much he’s come on in the last year”.
You can watch the video to UB40's single Champion on the band's official YouTube account here. You can stream the track here.
