Champ by Kelsie Kimberlin

“Champ is about standing tall when the world expects you to bow.”

On February 24, 2026, marking the fourth anniversary of the full-scale war against Ukraine, Kelsie Kimberlin released “Champ,” and the timing is not accidental. This is more than a pop single. It is a statement. It is a tribute to dignity under pressure.

“Champ” draws its strength from a real moment. The music video features 16-year-old Ukrainian karate champion Mariia Hnes, who went viral after refusing to stand beside a Russian athlete on the podium in Vienna. Her quiet decision spoke louder than any speech. Kelsie takes that moment and builds a song around it. Not with anger. Not with hate. But with pride. The track itself is polished and emotionally direct. Kelsie’s voice carries both softness and resolve. There is a steady build through the chorus that feels uplifting without being forced. The production is clean and modern, shaped by the high-level team she regularly works with. Over the years, she has collaborated with Grammy-winning and nominated producers connected to artists like Adele, Coldplay, Taylor Swift, and Kendrick Lamar. That experience shows. “Champ” sounds big, but it never loses its heart. What makes this release hit harder is the context. Kelsie filmed the video in Kyiv during active missile and drone attacks. In one scene, she and Mariia shelter in a hallway as explosions echo outside. It is not staged drama. It is reality. That raw setting gives the song weight. You feel what is at stake. Kelsie Kimberlin is not new to using her platform with purpose. A Ukrainian-American singer-songwriter, she has recorded over 100 original songs and earned millions of streams and views worldwide. In 2023 and again in 2024, she traveled to Ukraine for humanitarian work and filmed music videos in Bucha and Irpin, locations marked by some of the worst atrocities of the war. In April 2025, she received the United Nations Humanitarian Award and the St. George’s Royal Medal of Honor issued by King Charles for her support of Ukraine. With “Champ,” she also launches a campaign to support the children of Ukrainian soldiers who participate in sports. Through her foundation, funds raised will go directly to helping these young athletes continue training and competing, even while their parents defend their country. At its core, “Champ” is about courage. It is about a teenager walking away from a photo. It is about children trying to live normal lives during chaos. It is about choosing principle over comfort. Kelsie turns that spirit into melody and message. This is not just a song for Ukraine. It is a reminder to anyone watching: real champions are defined by character, not medals. Spotify, Soundcloud, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, X, website