Most of today’s gangsta rappers seem like sissies compared to K’naan. It’s not that the rapper-singer’s music is hard, because it’s actually quite musical and poppy, but not even Queensbridge compares to the tough streets of his childhood.
K’naan was born in Somalia in a Mogadishu district called Wardhiigleey, which translates “The River of Blood.” A descendant of famous singers and poets, the Muslim rapper had to survive a brutal civil war that saw constant killings in the streets. To help his family escape, K’naan’s father — a professional in Somali — came to NYC to work as a cab driver and send money back home. As the situation got worse at home, the family finally got an exit visa to the States on the very day the Somali government collapsed and the U.S. embassy closed, and the family got out of Dodge on the last commercial flight out. After living in Harlem for a time, K’naan and his family eventually moved to a Somali exile community in Toronto.
Um, Mr. Fiddy Cent, what was that about Queens being tough?
K’naan soon made use of his poetry talents even speaking before the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, which in turn led to further musical opportunities. He soon became a star in Canada, even winning a 2006 Juno Award for Rap Recording of the Year, and his 2009 album Troubadour became his first with full major label backing in the United States.
The album — a mix of Bob Marley, Wyclef Jean and will.i.am — offers striking lyrics like “You gotta be defensive with your life/You gotta be like Bush and take pre-emptive strikes,” “We from the only place worse than Kandahar, well that’s kinda hard” and “[I'll] tell you straight forward/I’m poor, a refugee, been in prison and survived the war.” K’naan even talks about what it’s like to be a child with a Russian-made firearm in your hands, but the overall message is not one of braggin’ and boastin’. It’s one of enlightenment and encouragement and a desire to see the Western World intervene to help the people of Somalia.
But don’t get me wrong, K’naan is not another guy with a great message and just a few good cuts. He is one of the best new rappers in the game bringing a musical element that would made the Roots proud. Check out some of his stuff and you’ll agree!
Personally, he’s my favorite new artist of the year.
Photos courtesy of Jazmin Million via Flickr.