K'NAAN Albums (3)
What The Critics Say
Rapping like he was Q-Tip, singing like he was Bob Marley, and ambitiously taking on the global sound like he was Wyclef Jean, K'Naan is not only a ridiculously talented man but one who comes with a story of survival so big it can't help but top most other tales of inner city pressure. Moving from a ghetto in war torn Somalia to Harlem and then on to Toronto where the sometimes poet's debut album wins the Juno Award for Rap Recording of the Year, the lyrically gifted rapper just can't help being a one-upper. What's missing, then, from his sophomore effort Troubadour is some kind of "I did, you can too" message that could help make him a more approachable, Marley-like figure. You lose your girlfriend for whatever reason, K'Naan loses his to war. After pointing out the gangsters in his hood are bazooka carrying pirates who jack tankers for ransom, it becomes obvious that Troubadour is an album to marvel at from afar, but that doesn't keep it from being a rewarding, often eye-opening spectacle. Key track "ABCs" presents Africa as a land of different priorities, where survival trumps education and "nobody fat enough for lipo." The long lost Chubb Rock appearance is just one of the stunning choices for guests with Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine providing the hooky chorus for "Bang Bang" while Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett brings the rock & roll thunder to "If Rap Gets Jealous." Mos Def and Chali Tuna roll around just in time to keep this genre-jumping album filed under "hip-hop," but here, the multi-lingual K'Naan has taken to rapping in his native tongue. One track later in this epic tale and his first crush ends up kidnapped by soldiers, but when "Fatima" remembers that teenage feeling with "After school we studied the lessons/I asked God to slow down the seconds/He does the opposite, that's what I'm guessin'" it's strangely satisfying that K'Naan is one of us, at least when it comes to puppy love. Describing the elation of picking up that much-need wired money transfer on "15 Minutes Away" to dropping ancient history on "People Like Me" are the kind of long-jumps that make Troubadour a bit dizzying. Still, with such skill and ability on display, this is highly recommended for anyone intrigued by a will.i.am version of Slumdog Millionaire or a Charles Dickens novel reimagined by Arrested Development. ~ David Jeffries, All Music Guide
'The Dusty Foot on the Road'
Release Date 5/28/2007
Tracks 13
Label Wrasse
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Live rap albums can easily become confusing messes of sound. Live African rap albums, with just a minimal backing, are like projects deliberately seeking obscurity. But K'Naan seems to have the right idea with this. Generally using just acoustic guitar and percussion to frame his raw voice brings out a lot of his considerable on-stage personality, and brings a more rooted feels to the songs. Rhythm is the center here, and it's none the worse for it, since it gives a boost to the African quality of the material, as can be readily heard on "The African Way" and "Soobalax," which pushes his technique hard and highlights his excellent vocal agility. The studio record that preceded this seemed to show that his ambition was American hip-hop, but here he projects an excellent individuality that sets him apart. Growing up in the conflicts of Mogadishu wasn't easy, but "Smile," his autobiographical tale of the experience, comes out hopeful and offers a welcome contrast to the glorification of violence and the cult of the macho that pervades so much American hip-hop. Not that it's not without a connection -- Mos Def is a guest here. But there's a real sense of urgency, and a fiery energy to the performances captured here that proclaim the fact that K'Naan has talent outside the studio, too, and brings a powerful, fresh voice to music. ~ Chris Nickson, All Music Guide
'The Dusty Foot Philosopher'
Release Date 1/1/2005
Tracks 18
Label K'Naan
See Album Tracklist and Review
