Saynab Posted May 9, 2006 K'Naan Imagine telling a Somalian teenager in 1992, who’s unable to speak English living in war torn Mogadishu that one day he’ll master the English language and perform throughout the world. Furthermore he will go on to support the son of the great Bob Marley, and will collect a Juno (Canadian Grammy) for being able to communicate much of his Somalian upbringing. Imagine telling him he will be in the centre of London with a community of Somalians and Africans from around the world, (Many of which are able to identify with his story.) you would either have to believe in the idea of fantasy or at least be partial to the possibility of miracles. MAHOGANY Sunday April 9th 2006 a packed market place in Oxford Street, central London full with new faces and familiar regulars of the Amplified weekly hot spot Mahogany. Many had heard the murmur of a Somalian artist booked to grace the Mahogany stage. And it was a predominantly Somali core that arrived earliest to investigate this rumour. By approximately 9.00pm the management had enforced a one in one out policy. Mahogany regulars came through the doors slightly bemused as to why it was packed so early. I mean they had heard that a Canadian artist was going to perform but who exactly is K’naan? CULTURAL MISSION Some may call it luck, others purpose. But some people are gifted with a certain experience that appears to be guided by God himself. And looking at the harrowing life of Somalian Poet and Emcee K’naan, it’s easy to be convinced that maybe he has been selected for such a special mission. Coming from a rich ancestry of poetry and art, his Aunt Magool is a Somali icon, a politically charged singer forced into exile due to her outspokenness. His Grandfather is so embedded in Somali culture; some of his poems are common Somali sayings. “So what I’m doing is not that big,†K’naan says with a wry smile “I have a very long way to go.†This may be true, for since touching down in London some of our hip hop institutions (Hip Hop radio shows and magazines alike) have fronted on his achievements. But take nothing away him, for the simple fact that he’s in London is a tremendous triumph considering what he’s gone through. COLLAPSE Somalia, East Africa 1992 is a country on the verge of social collapse, after a war between differing clans kicked off in 1989. The country, (essentially controlled by these warring factions) has intensified its conflict in Mogadishu, Somalia’s Capitol. At least 14,000 people were killed in between Nov 91 and Febuary 92. 3,000 people were dying as a consequence of starvation. There were political assassinations, famine, drought; young kids were walking the street with Russian guns trigger happy. And what was the government doing? It is one of the few places in the world, that doesn’t have one. Mayhem was the elected party. Embassy’s had decided to head for home, predicting the ensuing onslaught to intensify. On the day the U.S planned to leave, a Somali woman who had continually visited the embassy in search for Visa’s had appeared once again, however on this occasion, one of the embassy staff in a rare act of compassion gave her the much sought after stamp. Her and her family joined them on what was to be the last commercial flight leaving Mogadishu. One of her 14 year old sons although not able to speak a word of English had miraculously managed to phonetically repeat popular rhymes from rappers like Rakim, courtesy of mix tapes sent by his U.S based father. A decade later the young boy named K’naan, is a radically changed individual. After first residing in Harlem, his family moved to a bigger Somali neighbourhood in Toronto, Canada. Over the years he’s learned to come to terms with the psychological effects of social collapse, and he is introducing the world to the pain and history of the Somali people through his unique brand of music. In his first offering, the stunning “Dusty Foot Philosopher†he provides an interwoven; autobiographical and fly on the wall account of his life and emotional turmoil. As well as the verbal ability to convey his complex feelings, the musical journey is as equally dramatic. He manages to introduce western audiences to African cultural music and traditions in a way that is easily digestible to people cautious to embrace something new and essentially African. BEST OF BOTH WORLDS In a sense he’s literally made the best of both worlds. “I grew up in Somalia half my life, the other half I was in North America, so what else could I have done?†Though subconsciously people outside of America are so influenced by America that their artistry is guided by how much they can impress and break into the American market. (Goes for Canada and UK) Can they out rap the rappers? Can they out sing the singers? Considering K’naan has all the odds against him, he is remarkably guided by his art and purpose. He is like God’s own little experiment, thrust out of the East African environment and social conflicts adorned with African traditions and placed in America, with the question. If we take an African artist, place him at the centre of contemporary American environment, how would he fare? Answer “The Dusty Foot Philosopher,†his debut offering that earned him the Canadian Juno. It’s essentially a journey that harbours surprises on every track. You really don’t know what to expect from one song to the next. Is he going to tell a story? Is he going to speak English or Somali? Will he rap or sing? Will he half rap and sing? Will he battle rap? Will he tell a story? Paint a picture? Cry or smile? It’s an album that’s hard to get bored of listening to and very easy to press repeat on. He hasn’t set out to tell the story of Somali people, he’s simply told his story, but in doing so he’s expanded the imagination of Somali’s, musicians and true rap fans the world over. It has managed to urge listeners to empathise (not judge) migrants fleeing wars the world over. Because of that he’s been both embraced and rejected by his own people. “The Black community in general sees me as someone who is really representing something valid and worthwhile.†K’naan begins “But its interesting cause the majority of Somali people have been at the forefront of what I’m doing. But they have also been at the forefront of those who are against what I’m doing. You would think that they would be my biggest following, but they are not. And I understand. It’s not because of a lack of quality or the way I’m singing but it’s more to do with what they are ready to admit to the world about themselves. And I should be just in the way I address these things. I had to go through a certain process to be ready for the things that I’m writing. And if someone has not gone through the process that I’ve gone through its just hard to now see it in mainstream media all in their faces -the struggle they tried so hard to ignore.†When Chuck D said Hip hop was the Black CNN, he said it at the height of Political rap’s strangle-hold on hip hop. However, as a result of American Rap giving up that ghost. K’naan is an example of what the rest of the world can bring to hip hop and what people of dual heritage can bring to music and art in general. Hip hop has long been in need of a resurrection. Who would have thought an East African, youth, unable to speak English in 1992, living in war torn Somalia would possess such potential. K’naan will be performing on May 14th 2006 at Cargo 83 Rivington Street, Shoredith, London from 6pm-12am fee £10adv For more information go to http://www.cargo-london.com Feature by: Tuggs.t.a.r (K'naan will come on stage about 9.30...Be aware of that! Saynab) Fresh from his tour Supporting Damian Marley, Somalian MC, K'NAAN returns for HIS first full on show in the UK- Sun 14th May 2006 @ Cargo, London. His debut album, The Dusty Foot Philosopher (OUT NOW) must be hailed as a classic in its own right, and hails the wave of a new development in Hip-Hop out of the Mother Land. K'NAAN is a quality artist who brings a new energy, an perspective to Hip-Hop both musically and lyrically, and though he is now based in Canada, K'NAAN always stays true to his Somalian roots with unending beauty & dignity. If you do not know K'NAAN, Trust - YOU NEED TO KNOW, an this is your perfect opportunity!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SHOW DETAILS: Sunday 14th May @Cargo,London 83 Rivington Street Shoreditch London, EC2A 3AY Tickets; 08700 600 100 or WWW.TICKETWEB.COM HOLLA BLACK PEOPLE - YOU DONT WANNA MISS THIS!!! For More Info on K'NAAN; www.thedustyfoot.com www.myspace.com/knaanmusic For Best Kept Secret; www.amennoir.com www.myspace.com/thebestkeptsecretbks The Best Kept Secret are OneNess , TuggS.T.A.R , ShakaRa , AmeN NoiR Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ElPunto Posted May 9, 2006 ^Somalians!? Who the hell are those freaks? I know a lot of Somalis - but Somalians? Are they Somalis who have some alien blood? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Saynab Posted May 10, 2006 Salam brother I totally agree! This review was not written by a non-Somali person but it is K'naan's job to correct everyone. I am quite tired of people still using it. I may have a word with hims on Sunday. Take care Saynab Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
