Will.i.am Revives Obama Anthem to Support Kamala Harris

On November 4, 2024, Will.i.am, the lead singer of the Black Eyed Peas, released a new song supporting Vice President Kamala Harris, paralleling his 2008 anthem for Barack Obama. The song, intended to celebrate Harris and encourage collective action, maintains a similar melody to the original 'Yes We Can' track. In a social media post, the artist expressed his desire to create a call to action through music. The new track is just one minute and 43 seconds long, significantly shorter than the 2008 version. Instead of employing lyrics from Harris's speeches, Will.i.am utilizes empowering lines like 'Haters gonna say that we can't/But the word American says that 'I can.'' This represents a shift in the content approach while retaining the core message of optimism and unity. Visually, the music video departs from the monochrome aesthetic of the original, showcasing vibrant footage of contemporary America, including scenes of voting and significant moments like the January 6 Capitol riots. He also highlights the divisiveness in the country today by stating, 'we used to be united in America/Now we just divided in America.' With the last moments of the song repeating the phrase 'yes she can,' Will.i.am aims to inspire listeners while reflecting his long-standing commitment to political engagement through music.