K'NAAN
Troubadour
Play Troubadour
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AMG Review of Troubadour
David Jeffries
All Music GuideRapping 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.
Song Of The Day “Wavin’ Flag” by K’naan
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Today’s SOTD is “Wavin’ Flag” by K’naan, another great artist that performed at ACL, and now on tour with Maroon 5. Visit K’naan on MySpace for more information. Troubadour is available on now.Related Posts:Song Of The Day "Gossip" by You Me At SixSong Of The Day "Two Bottles" by [...]
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Band Rec | K'NAAN
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Another great rec from Giant Step. Thanks Jessica."K'NAAN's sophomore album, Troubadour will be released on A&M/Octone on February 24th. He is a hiphop / world folk artist from Somalia. Over the course of the last two years K’NAAN has played over 350 shows spanning five continents, recorded and released his debut outing, The Dusty Foot Philosopher. He has had the privilege of sharing the stage .
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Video - K'Naan - "The Great Depression"
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Track:The Great Depression
Your internet hustle has been strong, K'Naan. Hey kids, check for K'Naan's album Troubador which hits stores next Tuesday, February 24th.
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K'naan viral video for "Somalia"
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New K'naan viral video for "Somalia" ~:Shout Outs 2 - Diego/CornerstonePromotions - For The Scoop*
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[Vid] K'Naan - DJBooth Interview
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In the fifth of eight exclusive video interviews shot behind the scenes at this year's Rock the Bells opener, DJ Z goes backstage with Booth favorite K'naan to discuss the selection of "Wavin' Flag" as South Africa's World Cup anthem, his forthcoming "mixtape" projects (created with the help of a few very exciting collaborators), and which company supplies him with his trademark fedoras.K'naan'...
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K'naan Troubadours for you
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Somalian rapper K'naan made his first appearance here on MISB way back in 2007 with the US release of his debut album The Dusty Foot Philosopher. It didn't take him long to record the follow-up, which dropped today, titled Troubadour. The new album crosses back and forth between hip hop and R&B, and it definitely feels like K'naan has assimilated American culture into his sound here. Where as t...
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This Is Afrikan Boy HOOORAY!
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Fell head over heels for 'Somalia' back in December but I haven't had time to listen through K'naan's second studio album "Troubadour" that was released in February until now, and even if it's hiphop on the more serious-level, I must admit that I'm kinda hooked. Now it gets even better as Afrikan Boy jumps on the 'T.I.A'-track for a remix and does it very well.Afrikan Boy also greets via his My...
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K’naan releases new video: Somalia
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Watch K'naan's new video for this 3rd pre-released single "Somalia" (a song very close to his heart). Troubadour , the full-length will be available early next year & the single above drops tomorrow on iTunes. Knaan | Myspace | Buy
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 "Troubadour")
