Iconic Birmingham band, UB40 yesterday officially released the official anthem for the 2022 Commonwealth Games entitled “Champion”.
The reggae and pop band was formed in Birmingham in December 1978 and named after the card issued at the time to people claiming unemployment benefits from the UK Government.
The band has had more than 50 singles in the UK Singles Chart and sold over 70 million records worldwide.
This latest track was written for the On Record album, which features 11 songs dedicated to the city and forms part of the Birmingham 2022 Festival,
Champion features artists Dapz on the Map and Gilly G, and aims to celebrate Birmingham and mark the Commonwealth Games returning to England for the first time since Manchester 2002.
It is also set to serve as the first single from UB40’s new UB45 album, set to be released in January 2023 to mark the band’s 45th anniversary.
Guitarist Robin Campbell said that the Commonwealth Games anthem aimed to celebrate the city’s diversity.
“We are proud to be representing the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games with the official anthem,” he said.