[VIDEO] k'naan: the story of country, god, or the girl

i have yet to wax poetic about this album, as i have about previous k'naan albums, singles, collaborations, etc. i think i'm still trying to wrap my mind around it. but i'm digging this mini documentary about his process and his journey. it's especially interesting that k'naan's trip to somalia resulted in a change in his songwriting that is more reflective, inward-looking and is 'the most intimate music' he's made to date.

here is the video for hurt me tomorrow. 

[VIDEO] k'naan: the story of country, god, or the girl

soul food: k'naan's 'is anybody out there'

k'naan's EP more beautiful than silence is finally here. check out the second single, 'is anybody out there', collaboration with nelly furtado.

and just for old time's sake, their last collaboration, which still goes hard: 'are you going away?'

soul food: k'naan's 'is anybody out there'

soul food: new music [soon come] from k'naan

um...you guys...?

*dance of glee*

soul food: new music [soon come] from k'naan

soul food: k'naan 'take a minute'

...and any man who knows a thing knows he knows not a damn, damn thing at all...

soul food: k'naan 'take a minute'

soul food: moments

uh, i know this blog is a little 'wavin' flag'ged out right now, but...um...i don't care! big ups to K'naan who took home two Juno Awards for Artist of the Year and Songwriter of the Year. woot! this moment has been a long time coming:

listen to an in-depth interview with K'naan on Q with Jian Ghomeshi, here.

soul food: moments

universal anthem

this song is truly the perfect anthem. here are two of the latest renditions of K'naan's Wavin' Flag:

Young Artists for Haiti



The Official World Cup Anthem (feat David Bisbal)

aaand, finally, the video for the album version (directed, once again, by the awesome Nabil)

universal anthem

give me freedom, give me fire...

official video for k'naan's FIFA World Cup anthem, 'wavin' flag: coca-cola celebration remix':



99 days til the World Cup is hosted by South Africa.

wave ya flag!!!

give me freedom, give me fire...

wavin' flag: the world cup 2010 anthem

k'naan has adapted his powerfully inspirational song 'waving flag' for the FIFA world cup, which will be held in south africa in 2010.

give me freedom;
give me fire;
give me reason;
take me higher.

wavin' flag: the world cup 2010 anthem

mixtapes of awesome: ian kamau and k'naan & j.period

it's a generally awesome music week for me: new mixtapes from both k'naan and ian kamau. i've been listening to little else but k'naan and j.period's the messengers: episode 1: fela kuti and kamau's september nine: vol 1 since they were first released, so i'm ridiculously geeked for volumes 2 of both.


ian kamau titled his mixtape september nine because the date marks his 30th birthday and his aim was to release his complete album on this date. the album has been pushed back, unfortunately, but in the meantime he has awesomely released two mixtapes to tide us over. the first volume featured clips from spike lee's do the right thing and is a smoothly effortless blend of hip hop, spoken word, and song. i was captured immediately by 'dear summer' and was captivated by his quiet yet steady and unwavering delivery throughout the EP. seriously, though, his voice--whether rhyming, singing, or speaking--is mesmerizing and is not unlike the feeling of floating on your back in the ocean. my favorite track remains 'majority report', but i'm also loving 'say it ain't so.'

september nine: volume two dropped yesterday, and i cannot wait to hear what's in store. download here.

k'naan and j.period's the messengers: episode 2: bob marley was released on 08/09/09 and is exactly how you would imagine their collaboration. it honours the original tracks beautifully and k'naan's remixes of his own tracks are pure fire. j.period is a genius. i will no doubt say that again, numerous times. stand out track: the combination of 'stir it up' and 'fatima'. i can and have listen[ed] to that all day long. another highlight is the 'small axe' remix in which k'naan addresses is Somali countrymen in a poignant plea for a collective search for peace in a country so torn apart by senseless and continuous violence.

download the messengers: episode 2 here.

canada's bringing it this year, for real. enjoy the free music, people!

mixtapes of awesome: ian kamau and k'naan & j.period

soul food: this is africa!

you don't know hot this is, here.

the streets need this shit, here.

K'NAAN "T.I.A" music video directed by: NABIL from nabil elderkin on Vimeo.

'the rap game just got itself a new day/this is africa.'

debuted by kanYe

soul food: this is africa!

runnin' on replay

...what's been playing on constant repeat in my head, all week...

...john forté's brilliant new track "runnin' up that hill"--he's back, y'all. i cannot wait to see what he'll come out with next...

'in jamaica' by k'naan and buckshot from the k-salaam and beatnick mixtape 'where the streets have no name'...fiyah!

...the acoustic version of jah cure's 'to your arms of love'...just because!

Currently listening:

The Renaissance
By Q-Tip

Release date: 2008-11-04

runnin' on replay

y'all ready?

'dreamer'

'america' (live)

K'naan's album "Troubadour" is out today.

y'all ready?

soul food: afropolitana: k'naan--'waving flag' and 'somalia (live)'

a glimpse into the forthcoming album from K'naan: Troubador

'waving flag'

when i get older

i will be stronger

they'll call me freedom

just like a waving flag.

a melodious tapestry of tragedy and hope encapsulated in a such simple refrain.

'somalia--live'

so what you know about the pirates terrorize the ocean

to a never know a simple day without a big commotion

it can't be healthy just to live with such a steep emotion

and when i try to sleep...i see coffins closing.

more on his journey here.

soul food: afropolitana: k'naan--'waving flag' and 'somalia (live)'