Kelsie Kimberlin has become a unique voice during Putin’s war in Ukraine, defying the despot with single after single.

By Graeme Smith

We’ve featured several of those singles on our pages and even interviewed the artist. Her latest, Champ, takes inspiration from 16-year-old karate champion Mariia Hnes who refused to share a podium with a Russian rival. The act became a viral symbol of Ukraine’s resilience.

Coming complete with a video that features Hnes, Champ has some real Rocky vibes about it. Hnes’s motivational words play over an extended intro before a rousing guitar riff kicks in. Kimberlin’s voice joins the calls with defiant lyrics. Shot in Ukraine during missile and drone attacks, it’s an authentic act of fightback against a horrible and unjust war.

If the track and video themselves were not enough, Kimberlin is also launching a global campaign to support the children of Ukraine’s servicemembers who participate in sport, backed by a new fundraising site and her foundation.

“I have seen how stressful it is for Ukrainian children to live a normal life while their parents are fighting an enemy who wants to destroy them and their way of life,” she says. “Participation in sports helps these kids have a sense of purpose and direction and brings pride to their warrior parents.”

To keep up to date with Kelsie Kimberlin, you can head to her website, or follow her on Facebook, X, Spotify, Soundcloud, YouTube, and Instagram.

Champ is out now, and you can listen to it below.