K'naan
Encyclopedia
K'naan born Keinan Abdi Warsame in 1978, is a Somali Canadian poet
, rapper, singer, songwriter
and instrumentalist.
, which began in 1991. His aunt, Magool
, was one of Somalia's most famous singers. K'naan's grandfather, Haji Mohammad, was a poet. He is Muslim
, and his name, Keinan, means "traveler" in the Somali language. He spent the early years of his life listening to the hip-hop records sent to him from America by his father, who had left Somalia earlier. When he was 13, K'naan, his mother, and his three siblings, older brother, Liban, and younger sisters Naciimo, and Sagal left their homeland and joined relatives in New York City
, where they stayed briefly before moving to Canada
, to the Toronto
neighbourhood of Rexdale
, where there was a large Somali community and his family still resides. There, K'naan began learning English, partly by listening to hip hop albums by artists like Nas
and Rakim
. Despite the fact that he could not yet speak the language, the young K'naan taught himself hip-hop and rap diction, copying the lyrics and style phonetically. He then also began rapping
.
While growing up in Rexdale, K'naan lost many friends to murder, suicide, prison and deportation.
K'naan married Deqa, a pharmacy technician, with whom he has two sons, born in 2005 and 2007.
in 1999, where K'naan performed a spoken word
piece criticizing the UN for its failed aid missions to Somalia
. One of the audience members, Senegal
ese singer Youssou N'Dour
, was so impressed by the young MC's performance and courage that he invited him to contribute to his 2001 album Building Bridges, a project through which K'naan was able to tour the world.
This project led to his work at other UN events, as well as the Montreal Jazz Festival and the Halifax Pop Explosion
. It also helped him meet Canadian producer
Brian West
and Jarvis Church and his Track & Field team in 2002, who produced his debut album The Dusty Foot Philosopher
, which was released in 2005 to critical acclaim. In 2006, it won the Juno Award for Rap Recording of the Year
, and was nominated for the 2006 Polaris Music Prize
. It also won the BBC Radio 3 Award for World Music
in the newcomer category for 2007. The Dusty Foot Philosopher was re-released and re-packaged as a "Deluxe Edition" featuring new mixes and a bonus DVD in the United States (and various international territories) by the emerging media company and record label iM (Interdependent Media, Inc.) in 2008.
Since then, K'naan had been on tour promoting his album and working on his follow-up release, Troubadour
, which he released in the summer of 2010. It was his debut album for new label, A&M/Octone Records
. He has also collaborated with artists like Nelly Furtado
, Mos Def
, Will.i.am
, The Roots
, Dead Prez
, and Pharoahe Monch
on tours such as Live 8 and Breedlove Odyssey. He also collaborated with Damian Marley
on the "Welcome to Jamrock
" touring session.
K'naan released The Dusty Foot on the Road
, a collection of recording made during his world tour on Wrasse Records
.
K'naan rose to mainstream popularity by participating in the 2008 BET Awards Cypher. This was his first appearance on American television. His second studio album, Troubadour
, was released on 24 February 2009 on A&M/Octone Records
, and will be distributed through Universal Music Group
worldwide. The album's first single, "ABC's", was released to radio in late 2008. K'naan's music has featured in several video games such as Madden NFL 09
(with his song "ABC's") and FIFA 06
(with his song "Soobax"). The song "If Rap Gets Jealous", a re-recording of a track of the same name – with different verses – from The Dusty Foot Philosopher, features Metallica
lead guitarist Kirk Hammett
. K'naan was also the first featured artist on X3, a collaborative project between CBC Radio 3
, Exclaim!
magazine and aux.tv
to promote new Canadian music. In July 2010, he performed a cover of U2
's "Stuck in a Moment You Can't Get Out Of
" for iheartradio
.
, but his subject matter is very different; according to K'naan, he makes "urgent music with a message", talking about the situation in his homeland of Somalia and calling for an end to violence and bloodshed. He specifically tries to avoid gangsta rap
clichés and posturing, saying:
This statement was made to explain his position on the world of difference which exists between where he grew up, and the ghettos of the first world
. Nonetheless, K'naan denies that he is overtly political, instead explaining that he "[shows] the state of the world [and] if you call it like it is you're being political." His own opinion of his music is that it's a "mix of tradition and [a] kind of articulation of my own life and [..] my past experiences."
K'naan has said that he is influenced by Somali music
and the traditional instruments of Somalia. His 2009 album, Troubadour, also draws heavily from Ethiopian sources, particularly Ethio-Jazz
by Alemayehu Eshete
and Tilahun Gessesse
.
with Jian Ghomeshi
, although Rayzak continued to join his subsequent shows and Kierscey Rand made occasional appearances, such as his World Cup Trophy Tour.
Since Troubadour, K'naan has toured almost exclusively with a larger electric ensemble – consisting of drums, bass, electric guitar, and keyboards – and his performances now also feature elaborate lighting. This change in showmanship, along with his collaborations with such high profile artists as Adam Levine
and Mos Def
, has helped to shift K'naan more into the mainstream flow of the music industry and has helped him gain exposure to a wider audience.
, participated in the Arabesque: Arts of the Arab World festival at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
in Washington D.C.. The three-week gathering, which took five years and $10 million to organize, is the largest showcase of Arab art ever held in the United States
. The festival featured music, dance, theater and many art and cultural exhibitions, with artists carefully selected according to the quality of their artistic performance. Arabesque also provided a platform from which artists from the Arab world could correct prevailing and often negative misconceptions regarding their identity, and offered an opportunity for the participating artists to reclaim their right to self-definition. K'naan put on a free live show during the festival’s opening weekend, attracting many fans toward his message of reframing the limited perception of Arab cultures in North America.
," was chosen as Coca-Cola
's anthem for the 2010 FIFA World Cup
. It was also used in the commercials for the pre-game, which was held in South Africa
. Additionally, the track is in the soundtrack for the official EA Sports
2010 FIFA World Cup video game
. In December 2009, K'naan performed the song live during the sponsor's FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour, which took him to 86 countries around the world. His performance of "Wavin' Flag" was featured in the Top 10 hits in 11 different countries across the world. This also included number one hits in Mexico, Austria, China, Germany, Luxembourg, and Switzerland. In order to appeal to different people around the world, K'naan has also recorded the song with various local artists such as David Bisbal, Jacky Cheung, Jane Zhang, and Tattoo Colour.
to raise awareness of the 2011 Eastern Africa drought. Also teaming up with close associate Sol Guy, K'naan performed various concerts for the cause.
K’naan has also been active in promoting the Canadian Bill C-393 to help increase medical assistance to countries in Africa. He teamed up with James Orbinski, a Canadian humanitarian physician and co-founder of Dignitas International.
, one of the most prominent Canadian hip-hop artists. Following the release of the music video
for the song Soobax, which was shot by K'naan and a film crew in Kenya
, k-os released a track B-Boy Stance attacking K'naan: "They took cameras to Africa for pictures to rhyme / Over; Oh, yes, the great pretenders [...] Religious entertainers who want to be life savers." Though the feud never became high-profile, with K'naan expressing confusion at the attack and respect for k-os, he nonetheless responded with the mixtape Revolutionary Avocado which argued "You the all-knowing with a beer bottle / Wishing you was Plato
and me Aristotle
? / ...Suburban negro turned hip-hop hero / Is there a reason he really hates me, though?" — a rebuttal CBC
's Matthew McKinnon called "cold-cocking the champ".
, while not to be condoned, has a reason for its existence.
According to K'naan, fishermen organized and armed themselves so that they could protect their shoreline from illegal dumping of nuclear toxic waste from private companies
. He goes on to state that, "greed and the lure of money eventually produced what we see today as Somali piracy". On 15 April 2009 K'naan publicly criticized the approach to this problem of piracy after the kidnapping of Richard Phillips of the United States
flagged MV Maersk Alabama
container ship
240 nautical miles (440 km; 280 mi) southeast of the Somali port city of Eyl
.
Singles with K'naan as a featured guest
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
, rapper, singer, songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
and instrumentalist.
Biography
Born in Somalia, K'naan spent his childhood in Mogadishu and lived there during the Somali Civil WarSomali Civil War
The Somali Civil War is an ongoing civil war taking place in Somalia. The conflict, which began in 1991, has caused destabilisation throughout the country, with the current phase of the conflict seeing the Somali government losing substantial control of the state to rebel forces...
, which began in 1991. His aunt, Magool
Magool
Magool , born Halima Khaliif Omar , was a Somali singer.-Early years:Magool was born in the city of Dhusa Mareb, the capital of the Galgaduud region in central Somalia. She had four siblings....
, was one of Somalia's most famous singers. K'naan's grandfather, Haji Mohammad, was a poet. He is Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
, and his name, Keinan, means "traveler" in the Somali language. He spent the early years of his life listening to the hip-hop records sent to him from America by his father, who had left Somalia earlier. When he was 13, K'naan, his mother, and his three siblings, older brother, Liban, and younger sisters Naciimo, and Sagal left their homeland and joined relatives in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, where they stayed briefly before moving to Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, to the Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
neighbourhood of Rexdale
Rexdale
Rexdale is a neighbourhood located in the north-west corner of Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It covers the northern section of Etobicoke, which was an independent city until it merged with five other municipalities and a regional government to form the new City of Toronto in 1998. Rexdale was named...
, where there was a large Somali community and his family still resides. There, K'naan began learning English, partly by listening to hip hop albums by artists like Nas
Nas
Nasir bin Olu Dara Jones, who performs under the name Nas , formerly Nasty Nas, is an American rapper and actor. He is regarded as one of the most important figures in hip hop and one of the most skilled and influential rappers of all-time...
and Rakim
Rakim
William Michael Griffin Jr. , known by his stage names Rakim , Rakim Allah, R.A.K.I.M., and The Master, is an American rapper. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential and most skilled emcees of all time. Eric B...
. Despite the fact that he could not yet speak the language, the young K'naan taught himself hip-hop and rap diction, copying the lyrics and style phonetically. He then also began rapping
Rapping
Rapping refers to "spoken or chanted rhyming lyrics". The art form can be broken down into different components, as in the book How to Rap where it is separated into “content”, “flow” , and “delivery”...
.
While growing up in Rexdale, K'naan lost many friends to murder, suicide, prison and deportation.
K'naan married Deqa, a pharmacy technician, with whom he has two sons, born in 2005 and 2007.
Career
K'naan became a friend and associate of Canadian promoter Sol Guy, who helped him secure a speaking engagement before the United Nations High Commissioner for RefugeesUnited Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees , also known as The UN Refugee Agency is a United Nations agency mandated to protect and support refugees at the request of a government or the UN itself and assists in their voluntary repatriation, local integration or resettlement to...
in 1999, where K'naan performed a spoken word
Spoken word
Spoken word is a form of poetry that often uses alliterated prose or verse and occasionally uses metered verse to express social commentary. Traditionally it is in the first person, is from the poet’s point of view and is themed in current events....
piece criticizing the UN for its failed aid missions to Somalia
UNOSOM I
United Nations Operation in Somalia I was the first part of a United Nations sponsored effort to provide, facilitate, and secure humanitarian relief in Somalia, as well as to monitor the first UN-brokered ceasefire of the Somali Civil War conflict in the early 1990s.The operation was established...
. One of the audience members, Senegal
Senegal
Senegal , officially the Republic of Senegal , is a country in western Africa. It owes its name to the Sénégal River that borders it to the east and north...
ese singer Youssou N'Dour
Youssou N'Dour
Youssou N'Dour is a Senegalese singer, percussionist and occasional actor. In 2004, Rolling Stone described him as, in Senegal and much of Africa, "perhaps the most famous singer alive." He helped develop a style of popular music in Senegal, known in the Serer language as mbalax, a type of music...
, was so impressed by the young MC's performance and courage that he invited him to contribute to his 2001 album Building Bridges, a project through which K'naan was able to tour the world.
This project led to his work at other UN events, as well as the Montreal Jazz Festival and the Halifax Pop Explosion
Halifax Pop Explosion
The Halifax Pop Explosion is a music festival that takes place every fall, two weeks after Thanksgiving, in Halifax Nova Scotia, Canada.-History:...
. It also helped him meet Canadian producer
Record producer
A record producer is an individual working within the music industry, whose job is to oversee and manage the recording of an artist's music...
Brian West
Brian West
Brian West may refer to:*Brian West , American soccer player*Brian West , Canadian musician*Brian West , British cinematographer-See also:*Bryan West , England rugby player...
and Jarvis Church and his Track & Field team in 2002, who produced his debut album The Dusty Foot Philosopher
The Dusty Foot Philosopher
The Dusty Foot Philosopher is an album by Somali-Canadian rapper K'naan, released by BMG Music on June 7, 2005 in Canada and June 23, 2005 in the United States.-Awards:...
, which was released in 2005 to critical acclaim. In 2006, it won the Juno Award for Rap Recording of the Year
Juno Award for Rap Recording of the Year
The Juno Award for Rap Recording of the Year has been awarded since 1991, and is awarded for the best rap album in Canada. It was awarded under the title Best Rap Recording from 1993 to 2002....
, and was nominated for the 2006 Polaris Music Prize
2006 Polaris Music Prize
The inaugural edition of the Canadian Polaris Music Prize presented on September 18, 2006, at Toronto's Phoenix Concert Theatre. The winning album was Final Fantasy's He Poos Clouds.-Nominees:...
. It also won the BBC Radio 3 Award for World Music
World music
World music is a term with widely varying definitions, often encompassing music which is primarily identified as another genre. This is evidenced by world music definitions such as "all of the music in the world" or "somebody else's local music"...
in the newcomer category for 2007. The Dusty Foot Philosopher was re-released and re-packaged as a "Deluxe Edition" featuring new mixes and a bonus DVD in the United States (and various international territories) by the emerging media company and record label iM (Interdependent Media, Inc.) in 2008.
Since then, K'naan had been on tour promoting his album and working on his follow-up release, Troubadour
Troubadour (K'naan album)
-Bonus tracks:-Chart positions:In the U.S., the album sold over 15,000 copies in its first week of release and debuted at #32 on the Billboard 200. The album has sold approximately 44,000 copies in the US as of July 2009...
, which he released in the summer of 2010. It was his debut album for new label, A&M/Octone Records
A&M/Octone Records
A&M/Octone Records is an American record label and a joint venture between Universal Music Group and Octone Records, also known as OctoScope Music...
. He has also collaborated with artists like Nelly Furtado
Nelly Furtado
Nelly Kim Furtado is a Canadian singer-songwriter, record producer and actress. Furtado grew up in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.Furtado first gained fame with her debut album, Whoa, Nelly!, and its single "I'm Like a Bird", which won a 2001 Juno Award for Single of the Year and a 2002 Grammy...
, Mos Def
Mos Def
Dante Terrell Smith is an American actor and Emcee known by the stage names Mos Def and Yasiin Bey. He started his hip hop career in a group called Urban Thermo Dynamics, after which he appeared on albums by Da Bush Babees and De La Soul. With Talib Kweli, he formed the duo Black Star, which...
, Will.i.am
Will.i.am
William James Adams, Jr. , better known by his stage name will.i.am and occasionally by his other stage name Zuper Blahq, is an American rapper, musician, songwriter, singer, actor and producer...
, The Roots
The Roots
The Roots is an American hip hop/neo soul band formed in 1987 by Tariq "Black Thought" Trotter and Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are famed for beginning with a jazzy, eclectic approach to hip hop which still includes live instrumentals...
, Dead Prez
Dead Prez
Dead Prez stylized as dead prez is a hip hop duo from the United States, composed of stic.man and M-1, formed in 1996 in New York City, New York. They are known for their confrontational style, combined with socialist lyrics focused on both militant social justice and Pan-Africanism...
, and Pharoahe Monch
Pharoahe Monch
Pharoahe Monch is an American hip hop artist. He is known for his complex lyrics, complex delivery, and internal and multisyllabic rhyme schemes.-Biography:...
on tours such as Live 8 and Breedlove Odyssey. He also collaborated with Damian Marley
Damian Marley
Damian "Jr. Gong" Marley is a Jamaican reggae artist who has won three Grammy awards. Damian is the youngest son of Bob Marley....
on the "Welcome to Jamrock
Welcome to Jamrock
Welcome to Jamrock is a Grammy winning reggae album by Damian Marley. The album was released on September 12, 2005 in the United States and September 13, 2005 in the United Kingdom....
" touring session.
K'naan released The Dusty Foot on the Road
The Dusty Foot on the Road
The Dusty Foot on the Road is a live album by Somali-Canadian rapper K'naan, released June 25, 2007 on Wrasse Records.-Track listing:...
, a collection of recording made during his world tour on Wrasse Records
Wrasse Records
Wrasse Records is a British record label. It was started in 1998 by Ian and Jo Ashbridge. Both had been involved in the music industry prior to them starting up their own company. Its offices are based in the UK, but it distributes its CDs all around the world...
.
K'naan rose to mainstream popularity by participating in the 2008 BET Awards Cypher. This was his first appearance on American television. His second studio album, Troubadour
Troubadour (K'naan album)
-Bonus tracks:-Chart positions:In the U.S., the album sold over 15,000 copies in its first week of release and debuted at #32 on the Billboard 200. The album has sold approximately 44,000 copies in the US as of July 2009...
, was released on 24 February 2009 on A&M/Octone Records
A&M/Octone Records
A&M/Octone Records is an American record label and a joint venture between Universal Music Group and Octone Records, also known as OctoScope Music...
, and will be distributed through Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group
Universal Music Group is an American music group, the largest of the "big four" record companies by its commanding market share and its multitude of global operations...
worldwide. The album's first single, "ABC's", was released to radio in late 2008. K'naan's music has featured in several video games such as Madden NFL 09
Madden NFL 09
Madden NFL 09 is an American football video game based on the NFL that was published by EA Sports and developed by EA Tiburon. It is the 20th annual installment in the Madden NFL video game franchise. This game is known for its realistic graphics and big hits...
(with his song "ABC's") and FIFA 06
FIFA 06
FIFA 06, also known as FIFA Soccer 06, is a video game developed by EA Canada and published by Electronic Arts based around the game of football. It was released in the United States on 4 October 2005 for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, Windows, PlayStation Portable, Game Boy Advance, and...
(with his song "Soobax"). The song "If Rap Gets Jealous", a re-recording of a track of the same name – with different verses – from The Dusty Foot Philosopher, features Metallica
Metallica
Metallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
lead guitarist Kirk Hammett
Kirk Hammett
Kirk Lee Hammett is the lead guitarist and a songwriter in the heavy metal band Metallica and has been a member of the band since 1983. Before joining Metallica he formed and named the band Exodus. In 2003, Hammett was ranked 11th on Rolling Stones list of The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time...
. K'naan was also the first featured artist on X3, a collaborative project between CBC Radio 3
CBC Radio 3
CBC Radio 3 is a radio station that consists of two parts devoted to Canadian arts and music: a radio service which is available on Sirius Satellite Radio and streaming audio, and several daily and weekly podcasts from the CBC Radio 3 website...
, Exclaim!
Exclaim!
Exclaim! is a monthly Canadian music magazine that features in-depth coverage of new music across all genres with special focus on Canadian and cutting-edge artists...
magazine and aux.tv
Aux.tv
Aux is a Canadian English language Category B specialty channel and corresponding website owned and operated by Glassbox Television...
to promote new Canadian music. In July 2010, he performed a cover of U2
U2
U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
's "Stuck in a Moment You Can't Get Out Of
Stuck in a Moment You Can't Get Out Of
"Stuck in a Moment You Can't Get Out Of" is the second single from U2's 2000 album, All That You Can't Leave Behind. The song, characterised by gospel-tinged melodies and saccharine lead guitar part, won the Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal in 2002...
" for iheartradio
Iheartradio
iHeartRadio is a Clear Channel Radio network to aggregate local radio brands, personalities and on-demand content. It is best known as a mobile application...
.
Style and influences
Jim Welte has said K'naan has "a sound that fuses Bob Marley, conscious American hip-hop, and brilliant protest poetry." His voice and style has been compared to EminemEminem
Marshall Bruce Mathers III , better known by his stage name Eminem or his alter ego Slim Shady, is an American rapper, record producer, songwriter and actor. Eminem's popularity brought his group project, D12, to mainstream recognition...
, but his subject matter is very different; according to K'naan, he makes "urgent music with a message", talking about the situation in his homeland of Somalia and calling for an end to violence and bloodshed. He specifically tries to avoid gangsta rap
Gangsta rap
Gangsta Rap is a subgenre of hip hop music that evolved from hardcore hip hop and purports to reflect urban crime and the violent lifestyles of inner-city youths. Lyrics in gangsta rap have varied from accurate reflections to fictionalized accounts. Gangsta is a non-rhotic pronunciation of the word...
clichés and posturing, saying:
This statement was made to explain his position on the world of difference which exists between where he grew up, and the ghettos of the first world
First World
The concept of the First World first originated during the Cold War, where it was used to describe countries that were aligned with the United States. These countries were democratic and capitalistic. After the fall of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War, the term "First World" took on a...
. Nonetheless, K'naan denies that he is overtly political, instead explaining that he "[shows] the state of the world [and] if you call it like it is you're being political." His own opinion of his music is that it's a "mix of tradition and [a] kind of articulation of my own life and [..] my past experiences."
K'naan has said that he is influenced by Somali music
Music of Somalia
The music of Somalia refers to the musical styles, techniques and sounds of Somalia.-Overview:Somalia has a rich musical heritage centered on traditional Somali folklore. Most Somali songs are pentatonic; that is, they only use five pitches per octave in contrast to a heptatonic scale such as the...
and the traditional instruments of Somalia. His 2009 album, Troubadour, also draws heavily from Ethiopian sources, particularly Ethio-Jazz
Music of Ethiopia
The music of Ethiopia is extremely diverse, with each of Ethiopia's ethnic groups being associated with unique sounds. Some forms of traditional music are strongly influenced by folk music from elsewhere in the Horn of Africa, especially Somalia. However, Ethiopian religious music also has an...
by Alemayehu Eshete
Alemayehu Eshete
Alemayehu Eshete is an Ethiopian Ethio-jazz singer active since the 1960s who primarily sings in Amharic. Eshete's talent was recognized by colonel Rètta Dèmèqè who invited the young singer to perform with Addis Ababa's famous Police Orchestra...
and Tilahun Gessesse
Tilahun Gessesse
Tilahun Gessesse was an Ethiopian singer regarded as one of the most popular of his country's "Golden Age" in the 1960s....
.
Live performances
Prior to the release of Troubadour, K'naan performed with a small acoustic band, consisting of Rayzak (back-up vocals), Kierscey Rand (acoustic guitar) and UDOGG-The Funky Drummer (djembe and drums). This style was an essential element of what set K'naan apart from most hip-hop acts. More than that, it reflected K'naan's value of meaningful lyrics over shallow theatrics. One of the last performances of this band was on 16 March 2009 when K'naan rendered four songs from the newly launched album for CBC's program QQ (radio show)
Q is a Canadian radio show, which airs on CBC Radio One. Hosted by Jian Ghomeshi, the program is a national arts magazine show. The program is also now syndicated to public radio stations in the United States through Public Radio International....
with Jian Ghomeshi
Jian Ghomeshi
Jian Ghomeshi is a Canadian broadcaster, writer, musician and producer of Iranian descent who was raised in Thornhill, Ontario. Now based in Toronto, he is the host of the national daily cultural affairs talk program, Q, on CBC Radio One and Bold TV...
, although Rayzak continued to join his subsequent shows and Kierscey Rand made occasional appearances, such as his World Cup Trophy Tour.
Since Troubadour, K'naan has toured almost exclusively with a larger electric ensemble – consisting of drums, bass, electric guitar, and keyboards – and his performances now also feature elaborate lighting. This change in showmanship, along with his collaborations with such high profile artists as Adam Levine
Adam Levine
Adam Noah Levine is an American singer-songwriter and musician, best known as the front man and guitarist for the pop rock band Maroon 5. He is also a coach on the American talent show The Voice.-Early life:...
and Mos Def
Mos Def
Dante Terrell Smith is an American actor and Emcee known by the stage names Mos Def and Yasiin Bey. He started his hip hop career in a group called Urban Thermo Dynamics, after which he appeared on albums by Da Bush Babees and De La Soul. With Talib Kweli, he formed the duo Black Star, which...
, has helped to shift K'naan more into the mainstream flow of the music industry and has helped him gain exposure to a wider audience.
Arabesque
In 2009, K'naan, along with 800 other artists from the Arab worldArab world
The Arab world refers to Arabic-speaking states, territories and populations in North Africa, Western Asia and elsewhere.The standard definition of the Arab world comprises the 22 states and territories of the Arab League stretching from the Atlantic Ocean in the west to the Arabian Sea in the...
, participated in the Arabesque: Arts of the Arab World festival at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is a performing arts center located on the Potomac River, adjacent to the Watergate complex in Washington, D.C...
in Washington D.C.. The three-week gathering, which took five years and $10 million to organize, is the largest showcase of Arab art ever held in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The festival featured music, dance, theater and many art and cultural exhibitions, with artists carefully selected according to the quality of their artistic performance. Arabesque also provided a platform from which artists from the Arab world could correct prevailing and often negative misconceptions regarding their identity, and offered an opportunity for the participating artists to reclaim their right to self-definition. K'naan put on a free live show during the festival’s opening weekend, attracting many fans toward his message of reframing the limited perception of Arab cultures in North America.
2010 FIFA World Cup tour
A remixed version of K'naan's single, "Wavin' FlagWavin' Flag
"Wavin' Flag" is a song by Somali-Canadian artist K'naan from his album Troubadour. The song was a global hit, reaching the top ten in 19 charts around the world and was chosen as Coca-Cola's promotional anthem for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, hosted by South Africa. The English version was released as...
," was chosen as Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola
Coca-Cola is a carbonated soft drink sold in stores, restaurants, and vending machines in more than 200 countries. It is produced by The Coca-Cola Company of Atlanta, Georgia, and is often referred to simply as Coke...
's anthem for the 2010 FIFA World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
. It was also used in the commercials for the pre-game, which was held in South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
. Additionally, the track is in the soundtrack for the official EA Sports
EA Sports
EA Sports is a brand of Electronic Arts that creates and develops sports video games. Formerly a marketing gimmick of Electronic Arts, in which they tried to mimic real-life sports networks by calling themselves "EA Sports Network" with pictures or endorsements of real commentators such as John...
2010 FIFA World Cup video game
2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa (video game)
2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa is the official video game for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, published by EA Sports.The game was announced on 26 January 2010 during a GameSpot interview with Simon Humber, one of the producers of the game, and released April 27, 2010 in North America...
. In December 2009, K'naan performed the song live during the sponsor's FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour, which took him to 86 countries around the world. His performance of "Wavin' Flag" was featured in the Top 10 hits in 11 different countries across the world. This also included number one hits in Mexico, Austria, China, Germany, Luxembourg, and Switzerland. In order to appeal to different people around the world, K'naan has also recorded the song with various local artists such as David Bisbal, Jacky Cheung, Jane Zhang, and Tattoo Colour.
No Show at Simon Fraser University
On 21 September 2010 K’naan was scheduled as the headlining act of a student organised concert for World Peace Day which was to benefit girls’ education in rural Ghana. At 11pm the singer cancelled, for reasons that have been reported as relating to finances. His manager stated that, "this is the first time in K’naan’s seven-year career that he has pulled out of a performance for such a reason". K'naan announced on his Twitter following the concert “amazing how human beings need a bogeyman. It’s even better when they can turn their heroes to foes. SFU, check your own back yard for faults.”Coke's 125th Anniversary
On 8 May 2011, K'naan performed live at Centennial Olympic Park for Coca Cola's employees in light of Coke's 125th anniversary.Collaborations
- In 2008, K'naan collaborated with the Malian duo Amadou & MariamAmadou & MariamAmadou & Mariam are a musical duo from Mali, composed of the couple Amadou Bagayoko and Mariam Doumbia . The pair, known as "the blind couple from Mali" met at Mali's Institute for the Young Blind, and found they shared an interest in music...
on the song "Africa" from their album Welcome to MaliWelcome To MaliWelcome to Mali is the fifth studio album by Mali musicians Amadou & Mariam. It was released on Because Music on November 17, 2008 in Europe and was released on Nonesuch Records on March 24, 2009 in the United States.-Track listing:#"Sabali"...
.
- In 2009, he collaborated with British rock band Keane on two songs from their EP Night Train including their latest single "Stop for a Minute" and "Looking Back".
- In 2009, he also collabrated with American rapper WaleWale (rapper)Wale Victor Folarin , better known by his stage name Wale , is an American rapper from Washington, D.C. Wale was born to Nigerian parents. He rose to prominence in 2006, when his song "Dig Dug " became popular in his hometown. Wale became locally recognized and continued recording music for the...
on the song "Um'Ricka" from the mixtape Back to the Feature, and on the song "TV in the Radio" from Wale's debut album Attention Deficit.
- In September 2009, K'naan teamed up with J.PeriodJ.PeriodJ.Period is a Brooklyn-based Mixtape DJ, remixer and hip-hop producer. He is best known for producing Official Mixtape collaborations with Q-Tip , John Legend, Nas, Big Daddy Kane, Lauryn Hill, The Roots, The Isley Brothers and Mary J...
, an L.A.-born DJ/producer, and released The Messengers, a three volume remix project. Each volume pays tribute to one music icon: Fela Kuti, Bob Marley and Bob Dylan. It was released and is hosted online for free at Jperiod.com/knaan.
- K'naan also toured with Jason MrazJason MrazJason Thomas Mraz , also known as Mr. AZ and Mr. Raz, is an American singer-songwriter. Mraz released his debut album, Waiting for My Rocket to Come, which contained the hit single "The Remedy ", in 2002, but it was not until the release of his second album, "Mr. A-Z", in 2005, that Mraz achieved...
during the summer of 2009 for Mraz's Gratitude Cafe Tour. He is currently on tour with Lenny KravitzLenny KravitzLeonard Albert "Lenny" Kravitz is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and arranger, whose "retro" style incorporates elements of rock, soul, R&B, funk, reggae, hard rock, psychedelic, folk and ballads...
on the LLR tour.
- In 2010, during the Vancouver Olympics, 50 other Canadian musicians and artists came together with K'naan under the collaboration name of Young Artists for HaitiYoung Artists for HaitiYoung Artists for Haiti is a movement to engage Canada's young musicians to continue to inspire an ongoing effort and contribution to Canadian charities for their work to help the people of Haiti overcome the devastation from the 7.1 magnitude earthquake that rocked the country on January 12, 2010...
at the Bryan AdamsBryan AdamsBryan Adams, is a Canadian rock singer-songwriter, guitarist, bassist, producer, actor and photographer. Adams has won dozens of awards and nominations, including 20 Juno Awards among 56 nominations. He has also received 15 Grammy Award nominations including a win for Best Song Written...
Vancouver studios to produce a charity version of his song "Wavin' FlagWavin' Flag"Wavin' Flag" is a song by Somali-Canadian artist K'naan from his album Troubadour. The song was a global hit, reaching the top ten in 19 charts around the world and was chosen as Coca-Cola's promotional anthem for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, hosted by South Africa. The English version was released as...
". The music video was released 1 March 2010. String students from Lord Byng Secondary and Magee Secondary joined together momentarily and formed an orchestra which accompanied the song. It was released for digital downloadMusic downloadA music download is the transferral of music from an Internet-facing computer or website to a user's local computer. This term encompasses both legal downloads and downloads of copyright material without permission or payment...
on 12 March 2010.
- In 2010, K'naan featured on the first unofficial single, "Mask on My Face", from Chin InjetiChin InjetiChin Injeti is a singer, musician, and music producer who got his start as a founding member of Juno award-winning group Bass is Base, he continues to thrive as an artist releasing his recent solo album "D'tach" and its reworked version "Re'tach" . Working in genres ranging from country to rock...
's album, D'tach.
- In 2010, a remixed bilingual EnglishEnglish languageEnglish is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
/SpanishSpanish languageSpanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
version of "Wavin' Flag" was made under the title "Wavin' Flag (Coca Cola Spanish Celebration Mix)" with Spanish pop artist David BisbalDavid BisbalDavid Bisbal Ferré is a Grammy-winning Spanish pop singer. He gained his initial fame as a runner up on the interactive reality television show Operación Triunfo produced by TJ Hall....
after the song was chosen as the Coca-Cola anthem for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, to be held in South Africa. K'naan sings the English lyrics and Bisbal the Spanish lyrics. He also featured Banky W. and M.I in the Nigerian version of the song "Wavin' Flag", Nancy AjramNancy AjramNancy Nabil Ajram is a multi-platinum Lebanese singer and Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF. With the support of her father, Nancy began performing as a child and released her first studio album by the age of 15...
for the Arabic version of the song, féfé for the French version, SkankSkank (band)Skank is a Brazilian rock/reggae band, begun in 1991, in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais. , they had sold approximately 5,200,000 copies of their albums...
for the Brazilian version & will.i.amWill.i.amWilliam James Adams, Jr. , better known by his stage name will.i.am and occasionally by his other stage name Zuper Blahq, is an American rapper, musician, songwriter, singer, actor and producer...
and David GuettaDavid GuettaPierre David Guetta , known professionally as David Guetta , is a French house music producer and DJ. Originally a DJ at nightclubs during the 1980s and 1990s, he co-founded Gum Productions and released his first album, Just a Little More Love, in 2002. Later, he released Guetta Blaster and Pop Life...
for the English version of the song. He also featured Ai (singer)AI (singer)Ai , born November 2, 1981 as , is a Japanese R&B singer and rapper. She is currently under EMI Music Japan.-Early life:...
in the Japanese version of the song under the title "Wavin' Flag (Coca Cola Japanese Celebration Mix)".
- In 2010, he collaborated with Damian MarleyDamian MarleyDamian "Jr. Gong" Marley is a Jamaican reggae artist who has won three Grammy awards. Damian is the youngest son of Bob Marley....
and NasNasNasir bin Olu Dara Jones, who performs under the name Nas , formerly Nasty Nas, is an American rapper and actor. He is regarded as one of the most important figures in hip hop and one of the most skilled and influential rappers of all-time...
on the album Distant RelativesDistant RelativesDistant Relatives is a collaborative studio album by American rapper Nas and Jamaican reggae artist Damian Marley, released May 18, 2010, on Universal Republic and Def Jam Recordings. Production for the album took place during 2008 to 2010 and was handled primarily by Damian Marley and Stephen Marley...
, appearing on the songs "Tribes at War" and "Africa Must Wake Up". He also helped come up with the "sound" of certain songs such as As We EnterAs We Enter"As We Enter" is the first single from Nas and Damian Marley's collaboration album, Distant Relatives. The track is produced by Damian Marley. There are no full verses in the song, but rather Nas and Damian Marley rap in call-and-response fashion...
. The album was released on 18 May 2010.
- In 2010, K'naan's song "Wavin' Flag" is featured in the documentary Bouncing CatsBouncing CatsBouncing Cats is a 2010 documentary film written and directed by Australian director and photographer Nabil Elderkin. The film follows the efforts of Abraham "Abramz" Tekya and Breakdance Project Uganda to use dance to empower youth in war-torn Uganda. The film is a testimony of Crazy Legs of Rock...
by the filmmaker Nabil ElderkinNabil ElderkinNabil Elderkin is an Australian professional photographer and music video and film director of mixed American and Iranian origin. Born in Chicago and raised in Australia, he is now based in Los Angeles, California.-Beginnings:...
, starring Crazy LegsCrazy LegsRichard Colón better known by his stage name Crazy Legs is a b-boy from the Bronx, New York City, USA. He featured in the earliest stories on hip hop dancing to appear in mainstream press, and as president of the Rock Steady Crew brought the form to London and Paris in 1983...
. The singer also appears in an interview.
- In 2011, K'naan is featured as a guest singer on Simple PlanSimple PlanSimple Plan is a Canadian pop punk band from Montréal, Québec. The band has had no line up changes since its inception in 1999. Members are Pierre Bouvier , Jeff Stinco , Sébastien Lefebvre , David Desrosiers and Chuck Comeau...
album Get Your Heart On!Get Your Heart On!Get Your Heart On! is the fourth studio album by Canadian pop punk band Simple Plan, released on 21 June 2011. In some countries such as Australia and the Netherlands, the album was released on 17 June 2011. "Jet Lag" was released as the record's lead single on April 25 and a music video has been...
on a track called "Summer Paradise".
- In 2011, he is featured with KRS-OneKRS-OneLawrence Krisna Parker , better known by his stage names KRS-One , and Teacha, is an American rapper...
on the soundtrack to the film Beat The WorldYou Got Served: Beat the WorldYou Got Served: Beat the World is a film written and directed by Robert Adetuyi released in 2011. It was produced by InnerCity Films and Telefilm Canada - Equity Investment Program. It was distributed in the United States on DVD by Sony Home Entertainment under the name "You Got Served: Beat The...
on a track called "Hip Hop Nation", produced by Frank Fitzpatrick.Frank FitzpatrickFrank Fitzpatrick is best known as a composer and music producer for film. He has also worked extensively in other areas of music and entertainment as a record producer, songwriter, and filmmaker...
Awards and nominations
- 2006 Juno AwardsJuno Awards of 2006The Juno Awards of 2006 were held in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada on the weekend of 31 March to 2 April 2006. These ceremonies honour music industry achievements in Canada during the previous year....
- Rap Recording of the YearJuno Award for Rap Recording of the YearThe Juno Award for Rap Recording of the Year has been awarded since 1991, and is awarded for the best rap album in Canada. It was awarded under the title Best Rap Recording from 1993 to 2002....
for The Dusty Foot Philosopher (Nominated)
- Rap Recording of the Year
- 2010 Juno AwardsJuno Awards of 2010The Juno Awards of 2010 honoured music industry achievements in Canada for the latter part of 2008 and for most of 2009. These ceremonies were in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada during the weekend ending 18 April 2010...
- Rap Recording of the YearJuno Award for Rap Recording of the YearThe Juno Award for Rap Recording of the Year has been awarded since 1991, and is awarded for the best rap album in Canada. It was awarded under the title Best Rap Recording from 1993 to 2002....
for Troubadour (Nominated) - Artist of the YearJuno Award for Artist of the YearThe Juno Award for Artist of the Year has been awarded since 2002 as recognition each year for the best artist/musician in Canada. The category was originally divided by sex...
(Won) - Songwriter of the YearJuno Award for Songwriter of the YearThe Juno Award for "Songwriter of the Year" has been awarded since 1971, as recognition each year for the best songwriter in Canada. It was also known as the Juno Award for "Composer of the Year" from 1975 to 1990.-Best Songwriter :...
(Won)
- Rap Recording of the Year
- 2010 Mobo AwardsMOBO AwardsThe Music of Black Origin Awards, established in 1995 by Kanya King MBE and Andy Ruffell, are held annually in the United Kingdom to recognise artists of any ethnicity or nationality performing black music....
- African Artist of the YearMOBO AwardsThe Music of Black Origin Awards, established in 1995 by Kanya King MBE and Andy Ruffell, are held annually in the United Kingdom to recognise artists of any ethnicity or nationality performing black music....
(Won)
- African Artist of the Year
- 2011 Juno AwardsJuno Awards of 2011The Juno Awards of 2011, honours Canadian music industry achievements in the latter part of 2009 and in most of 2010. The awards presented in Toronto, Ontario, Canada during the weekend of 26 and 27 March 2011. A week of related events on 21 March 2011...
- Single of the YearJuno Awards of 2011The Juno Awards of 2011, honours Canadian music industry achievements in the latter part of 2009 and in most of 2010. The awards presented in Toronto, Ontario, Canada during the weekend of 26 and 27 March 2011. A week of related events on 21 March 2011...
(Won)
- Single of the Year
Activism
In addition to his artistic career, K’naan has engaged in social activism. In 2011, he became a co-spokesman with BonoBono
Paul David Hewson , most commonly known by his stage name Bono , is an Irish singer, musician, and humanitarian best known for being the main vocalist of the Dublin-based rock band U2. Bono was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland, and attended Mount Temple Comprehensive School where he met his...
to raise awareness of the 2011 Eastern Africa drought. Also teaming up with close associate Sol Guy, K'naan performed various concerts for the cause.
K’naan has also been active in promoting the Canadian Bill C-393 to help increase medical assistance to countries in Africa. He teamed up with James Orbinski, a Canadian humanitarian physician and co-founder of Dignitas International.
Dispute with k-os
In 2005, the Canadian music scene featured a low-key feud between K'naan and k-osK-os
Kevin Brereton , better known by his stage name k-os , is a Canadian rapper, singer, songwriter and record producer...
, one of the most prominent Canadian hip-hop artists. Following the release of the music video
Music video
A music video or song video is a short film integrating a song and imagery, produced for promotional or artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a marketing device intended to promote the sale of music recordings...
for the song Soobax, which was shot by K'naan and a film crew in Kenya
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
, k-os released a track B-Boy Stance attacking K'naan: "They took cameras to Africa for pictures to rhyme / Over; Oh, yes, the great pretenders [...] Religious entertainers who want to be life savers." Though the feud never became high-profile, with K'naan expressing confusion at the attack and respect for k-os, he nonetheless responded with the mixtape Revolutionary Avocado which argued "You the all-knowing with a beer bottle / Wishing you was Plato
Plato
Plato , was a Classical Greek philosopher, mathematician, student of Socrates, writer of philosophical dialogues, and founder of the Academy in Athens, the first institution of higher learning in the Western world. Along with his mentor, Socrates, and his student, Aristotle, Plato helped to lay the...
and me Aristotle
Aristotle
Aristotle was a Greek philosopher and polymath, a student of Plato and teacher of Alexander the Great. His writings cover many subjects, including physics, metaphysics, poetry, theater, music, logic, rhetoric, linguistics, politics, government, ethics, biology, and zoology...
? / ...Suburban negro turned hip-hop hero / Is there a reason he really hates me, though?" — a rebuttal CBC
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, commonly known as CBC and officially as CBC/Radio-Canada, is a Canadian crown corporation that serves as the national public radio and television broadcaster...
's Matthew McKinnon called "cold-cocking the champ".
Views on piracy
K'naan states that piracy off the coast of SomaliaPiracy in Somalia
Piracy off the coast of Somalia has been a threat to international shipping since the second phase of the Somali Civil War in the early 21st century...
, while not to be condoned, has a reason for its existence.
According to K'naan, fishermen organized and armed themselves so that they could protect their shoreline from illegal dumping of nuclear toxic waste from private companies
Radioactive waste dumping by the 'Ndrangheta
The 'Ndrangheta, a criminal organization from Calabria has been involved in radioactive waste dumping since the 1980s. Ships with toxic and radioactive waste were sunk off the Italian coast...
. He goes on to state that, "greed and the lure of money eventually produced what we see today as Somali piracy". On 15 April 2009 K'naan publicly criticized the approach to this problem of piracy after the kidnapping of Richard Phillips of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
flagged MV Maersk Alabama
MV Maersk Alabama
MV Maersk Alabama is a container ship owned by Maersk Line Limited and operated by Waterman Steamship Corporation....
container ship
Container ship
Container ships are cargo ships that carry all of their load in truck-size intermodal containers, in a technique called containerization. They form a common means of commercial intermodal freight transport.-History:...
240 nautical miles (440 km; 280 mi) southeast of the Somali port city of Eyl
Eyl
Eyl is an ancient town in the northern Puntland region of Somalia. It is situated near the Hafun peninsula.-History:Eyl is the site of many historical artifacts from Somalia's pre-colonial period...
.
Albums
- 2004: My Life Is a MovieMy Life Is a MovieMy Life Is a Movie is an album by K'naan released in 2004.-Track listing:# "Salaam " – 0:26# "Smile" – 4:21# "Voices at the Crossroads" – 3:27# "Spoken Thought" – 1:39# "Boxin' My Shadow" – 4:27# "Diaspora" – 1:28...
- 2005: The Dusty Foot PhilosopherThe Dusty Foot PhilosopherThe Dusty Foot Philosopher is an album by Somali-Canadian rapper K'naan, released by BMG Music on June 7, 2005 in Canada and June 23, 2005 in the United States.-Awards:...
- 2007: The Dusty Foot on the RoadThe Dusty Foot on the RoadThe Dusty Foot on the Road is a live album by Somali-Canadian rapper K'naan, released June 25, 2007 on Wrasse Records.-Track listing:...
- 2009: TroubadourTroubadour (K'naan album)-Bonus tracks:-Chart positions:In the U.S., the album sold over 15,000 copies in its first week of release and debuted at #32 on the Billboard 200. The album has sold approximately 44,000 copies in the US as of July 2009...
Singles
- 2005: "Soobax"
- 2005: "Strugglin"
- 2008: "ABCsABCs (song)ABCs is the first official single by rapper K'naan on his album Troubadour. It also features rapper Chubb Rock and is produced by Track & Field . The song was also featured on the soundtrack for the video game Madden 09 and in the trailer for The Trotsky. The song can be heard in the 2010 film ...
" (featuring Chubb RockChubb RockChubb Rock is a New York-based rapper who released several commercially successful hip hop albums in the early 1990s...
) - 2008: "Dreamer"
- 2008: "Somalia"
- 2008: "I Come PreparedI Come Prepared"I Come Prepared" is the second promo single by rapper K'naan from his album Troubadour. The single also features Jamaican reggae artist Damian Marley, son of the legendary Bob Marley....
" (featuring Damian MarleyDamian MarleyDamian "Jr. Gong" Marley is a Jamaican reggae artist who has won three Grammy awards. Damian is the youngest son of Bob Marley....
) - 2009: "If Rap Gets JealousIf Rap Gets Jealous"If Rap Gets Jealous" is the fourth promo single by rapper K'naan from his album Troubadour. It also features Metallica lead guitar/songwriter Kirk Hammett.-Background:...
” (featuring Kirk HammettKirk HammettKirk Lee Hammett is the lead guitarist and a songwriter in the heavy metal band Metallica and has been a member of the band since 1983. Before joining Metallica he formed and named the band Exodus. In 2003, Hammett was ranked 11th on Rolling Stones list of The 100 Greatest Guitarists of All Time...
of MetallicaMetallicaMetallica is an American heavy metal band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1981 when James Hetfield responded to an advertisement that drummer Lars Ulrich had posted in a local newspaper. The current line-up features long-time lead guitarist Kirk Hammett and bassist Robert Trujillo ...
) - 2009: "Wavin' FlagWavin' Flag"Wavin' Flag" is a song by Somali-Canadian artist K'naan from his album Troubadour. The song was a global hit, reaching the top ten in 19 charts around the world and was chosen as Coca-Cola's promotional anthem for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, hosted by South Africa. The English version was released as...
" - 2010: "Wavin' Flag (The Celebration Mix)"
- 2010: "Wavin' Flag" (featuring will.i.amWill.i.amWilliam James Adams, Jr. , better known by his stage name will.i.am and occasionally by his other stage name Zuper Blahq, is an American rapper, musician, songwriter, singer, actor and producer...
and David GuettaDavid GuettaPierre David Guetta , known professionally as David Guetta , is a French house music producer and DJ. Originally a DJ at nightclubs during the 1980s and 1990s, he co-founded Gum Productions and released his first album, Just a Little More Love, in 2002. Later, he released Guetta Blaster and Pop Life...
) - 2010: "Bang Bang" with Adam LevineAdam LevineAdam Noah Levine is an American singer-songwriter and musician, best known as the front man and guitarist for the pop rock band Maroon 5. He is also a coach on the American talent show The Voice.-Early life:...
- 2010: "Take a Minute"
Singles with K'naan as a featured guest
- 2006: "Til We Get There" (M-1M-1 (rapper)Mutulu Olugbala also known by his stage name M-1 is a rapper, activist and author known for his work as one half of the political hip hop duo Dead Prez along with his friend stic.man...
featuring K'naan) - 2009: "L'Arme de Paix" (Oxmo PuccinoOxmo PuccinoOxmo Puccino is a French hip hop musician.- Life :Puccino was born in 1974 in Ségou, Mali. He came to Paris one year later, and lived in the XIXe arrondissement from the age of 5. He is the brother of basketball player Mamoutou Diarra...
featuring K'naan) - 2009: "Think of All the Things" (KRS-OneKRS-OneLawrence Krisna Parker , better known by his stage names KRS-One , and Teacha, is an American rapper...
& BuckshotBuckshot (rapper)Buckshot is an underground rapper, famous as the leader of Hip Hop supergroup Boot Camp Clik, and the group Black Moon. He has released one solo album, two with producer 9th Wonder, four albums with Black Moon and four albums with the Boot Camp Clik.- Biography :Born and raised in Brooklyn...
featuring K'naan) - 2009: "TV in the Radio" (Wale (rapper)Wale (rapper)Wale Victor Folarin , better known by his stage name Wale , is an American rapper from Washington, D.C. Wale was born to Nigerian parents. He rose to prominence in 2006, when his song "Dig Dug " became popular in his hometown. Wale became locally recognized and continued recording music for the...
featuring K'naan) - 2010: "In Jamaica" (Beatnick & K-SalaamK-SalaamK-Salaam, born Kayvon Sarfehjooy in 1977, is a DJ from Minneapolis of Iranian-American heritage. His first album, The World Is Ours, was released on August 25, 2006. Featuring on this release are a number of prolific underground hip hop artists, such as Mos Def, Dead Prez, Papoose, Saigon, Emicida...
featuring K'naan and BuckshotBuckshot (rapper)Buckshot is an underground rapper, famous as the leader of Hip Hop supergroup Boot Camp Clik, and the group Black Moon. He has released one solo album, two with producer 9th Wonder, four albums with Black Moon and four albums with the Boot Camp Clik.- Biography :Born and raised in Brooklyn...
) - 2010: "Wavin' FlagWavin' Flag"Wavin' Flag" is a song by Somali-Canadian artist K'naan from his album Troubadour. The song was a global hit, reaching the top ten in 19 charts around the world and was chosen as Coca-Cola's promotional anthem for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, hosted by South Africa. The English version was released as...
" with Young Artists for HaitiYoung Artists for HaitiYoung Artists for Haiti is a movement to engage Canada's young musicians to continue to inspire an ongoing effort and contribution to Canadian charities for their work to help the people of Haiti overcome the devastation from the 7.1 magnitude earthquake that rocked the country on January 12, 2010... - 2010: "Wavin' Flag (Coca Cola Spanish Celebration Mix)" (with David BisbalDavid BisbalDavid Bisbal Ferré is a Grammy-winning Spanish pop singer. He gained his initial fame as a runner up on the interactive reality television show Operación Triunfo produced by TJ Hall....
)
- 2010: "Wavin' Flag (Coca Cola Arabic Celebration Mix)" (with Nancy AjramNancy AjramNancy Nabil Ajram is a multi-platinum Lebanese singer and Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF. With the support of her father, Nancy began performing as a child and released her first studio album by the age of 15...
) - 2010: "Wavin' Flag (Coca Cola Japanese Celebration Mix)" (with Ai (singer)AI (singer)Ai , born November 2, 1981 as , is a Japanese R&B singer and rapper. She is currently under EMI Music Japan.-Early life:...
) - 2010: "Mask On My Face" (Chin InjetiChin InjetiChin Injeti is a singer, musician, and music producer who got his start as a founding member of Juno award-winning group Bass is Base, he continues to thrive as an artist releasing his recent solo album "D'tach" and its reworked version "Re'tach" . Working in genres ranging from country to rock...
featuring K'naan) - 2010: "Each Tear" (Mary J Blige featuring K'naan)
- 2010: "Stop for a MinuteStop for a Minute (Keane song)"Stop for a Minute" is the first single from Keane's 2010 EP, and fourth record, Night Train. The song marks Keane's collaboration with Somali-Canadian rapper, K'naan. The single was released on April 5, 2010 in the United Kingdom and on April 11, 2010 in the United States...
" (Keane featuring K'naan) - 2010: "Tribes at War" (from Distant RelativesDistant RelativesDistant Relatives is a collaborative studio album by American rapper Nas and Jamaican reggae artist Damian Marley, released May 18, 2010, on Universal Republic and Def Jam Recordings. Production for the album took place during 2008 to 2010 and was handled primarily by Damian Marley and Stephen Marley...
with NasNasNasir bin Olu Dara Jones, who performs under the name Nas , formerly Nasty Nas, is an American rapper and actor. He is regarded as one of the most important figures in hip hop and one of the most skilled and influential rappers of all-time...
and Damian MarleyDamian MarleyDamian "Jr. Gong" Marley is a Jamaican reggae artist who has won three Grammy awards. Damian is the youngest son of Bob Marley....
featuring K'naan) - 2010: "Africa Must Wake Up" (from Distant RelativesDistant RelativesDistant Relatives is a collaborative studio album by American rapper Nas and Jamaican reggae artist Damian Marley, released May 18, 2010, on Universal Republic and Def Jam Recordings. Production for the album took place during 2008 to 2010 and was handled primarily by Damian Marley and Stephen Marley...
with NasNasNasir bin Olu Dara Jones, who performs under the name Nas , formerly Nasty Nas, is an American rapper and actor. He is regarded as one of the most important figures in hip hop and one of the most skilled and influential rappers of all-time...
and Damian MarleyDamian MarleyDamian "Jr. Gong" Marley is a Jamaican reggae artist who has won three Grammy awards. Damian is the youngest son of Bob Marley....
featuring K'naan) - 2011: "Summer Paradise" (Simple PlanSimple PlanSimple Plan is a Canadian pop punk band from Montréal, Québec. The band has had no line up changes since its inception in 1999. Members are Pierre Bouvier , Jeff Stinco , Sébastien Lefebvre , David Desrosiers and Chuck Comeau...
featuring K'naan)
See also
- Canadian hip hopCanadian hip hopThe Canadian hip hop scene was first established in the 1980s. Through a variety of factors, it developed much more slowly than Canada's popular rock music scene, and apart from a short-lived burst of mainstream popularity from 1989 to 1991, it remained largely an underground phenomenon until the...
- Music of CanadaMusic of CanadaThe music of Canada has influences that have shaped the country. Aboriginals, the British, and the French have all made unique contributions to the musical heritage of Canada. The music has subsequently been heavily influenced by American culture because of its proximity and migration between...
- Music of SomaliaMusic of SomaliaThe music of Somalia refers to the musical styles, techniques and sounds of Somalia.-Overview:Somalia has a rich musical heritage centered on traditional Somali folklore. Most Somali songs are pentatonic; that is, they only use five pitches per octave in contrast to a heptatonic scale such as the...