K'naan

On Tour
Play Radio
Listen to K'naan Radio, featuring artists like K-Os, Lupe Fiasco, B.o.B, Wyclef Jean and more…

4,842,363 plays (331,675 listeners)

Shop now at Amazon | Send K'naan Ringtones to Cell
Buy
Add to my Library

Muqdisho, Somalia (2001 – present)

K’naan (Keinaan, meaning traveller in Somali, born 1978) is a Somali-Canadian poet and hip-hop artist. The Coming To America Songfacts states that born in Mogadishu, Somalia, he spent his childhood there during the Somali Civil War, which began in 1991. K’naan’s grandfather, Haji Mohammad, was a poet and his aunt, Magool, one of Somalia’s most famous singers. The young Somalian acquired an early interest in hip-hop from the records that were sent to him from America by his father. K’naan describes growing up in Somalia amidst the ongoing warfare on his song “Coming To America”. At age 13 he left for New York City with his mother and brother and finally settled in the Rexdale neighbourhood of Toronto.

In 2001 K’naan performed in Geneva at the 50th anniversary of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

In 2005, he performed with DobaCaracol during the Live 8 concert in Barrie, Ontario. His full-length debut album, The Dusty Foot Philosopher, was released in 2005.

His song “Soobax” (pronounced “So-Bah”) is now featured in the best selling video game FIFA Football 2006, made by Electronic Arts and he has toured the world with the cup.

K’naan participated in the Breedlove Odyssey Tour with Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Pharoahe Monch and Jean Grae. He also participated in the “Welcome To Jamrock” tour along with Damian Marley.

The Dusty Foot Philosopher received a 2006 Juno Award for Rap Recording of the Year, and was nominated for the inaugural Polaris Music Prize. He also featured in a song by M1, titled “Till We Get There”.

The song “In the Beginning” from the album The Dusty Foot Philosopher was featured in the 2008 Comedy “Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay”
Read more… Edit bio

Popular tags: , , , ,  See more

Share this artist:

Top Albums

  • Hurt Me Tomorrow
    K'naan Play
    Buy

    New

  • Troubadour
    K'naan Play
    Buy
  • Wavin' Flag
    K'naan
    Buy
  • The Dusty Foot Philosopher
    K'naan Play
    Buy
See more

Top Tracks

1
2,350
2
950
3
824
4  
774
5
682
6
475
7  
268
8
244
9
199
10
194
10
194
12
164
13  
162
14
157
15
149
Buy all tracks at Amazon MP3
See more

Shoutbox

Leave a comment. Log in to Last.fm or sign up (it’s free).
See all 1,182 shouts

Videos

See more

Events

See more Add event

News

KNAAN: Being judgmental is a sign of immaturity, not young age. Just as wisdom is a…

26 May 2012 | from twitter.com/Iamknaan

KNAAN: Being judgmental is a sign of immaturity, not young age. Just as wisdom is a sign of experience, not old age.

Add comment

See more

Listening Now

Top Listeners

See more

More Information

Links
Labels

Email Newsletter

Universal Music Group Get exclusive tour, release & promotion updates on K'naan from Universal Music.