Economist: Let my people stay - Why the World Cup’s Somali singalong rapper is proud of his kinsmen

Economist:

THE latest African voice to resonate across the world belongs to a 31-year-old Somali singer known simply as K’naan. His hip-hop number, “Waivin’ Flag,” is poised to bring him global stardom, because it has been chosen by Coca-Cola, a sponsor of the coming football World Cup in South Africa, as the tournament’s anthem. It will be released in 150 countries and some predict it will even outsell Luciano Pavarotti’s rendition of “Nessun Dorma”, the cup’s theme tune when it was held in Italy in 1990.

Born Keynaan Warsame in Somalia’s seaside capital, Mogadishu, he is now a citizen of Canada. But he cherishes his Somali roots. Several tracks on his new album, “Troubadour”, have Somali lyrics. “Waivin’ Flag” refers to Somalia’s banner, a five-pointed white star on a bright blue background.

K’naan’s appeal is wide. He has been singing alongside the football trophy on its journey through 15 African countries. At last year’s South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas, known as SXSW, he entranced a huge crowd from the cowboy state. “I figured I’d like it,” says an American radio presenter. “I just didn’t expect to see people crying.” His latest album was recorded at the house of the late Bob Marley, the reggae king, in Jamaica.

The Somali rapper says he suffers “something like survivor guilt”, thinking of the people he grew up with. Several of his boyhood friends were shot dead in front of him. He handled a machinegun and exploded a hand-grenade accidentally but says he never killed anyone. His family was intellectual and well-connected. His Aunt Magool was a famous singer. But as Somalia collapsed, he fled abroad aged only 13.

More recently he has stirred controversy by partially excusing the activities of Somalia’s pirates. He blames Western companies for illegally hoovering up tuna fish off Somalia’s coast and says that European criminal gangs have dumped toxic waste along it. Piracy, he says, is an understandable response. He told an American radio station that the pirates had at least had the effect of “cleaning up the environment”: on that score, he has a point.

In any event, K’naan says he wants to help unite Somalis. Fighting between the clans has been a cause of the country’s breakdown. For that reason he refuses to say which clan he hails from.

Were he to return home, that might not help him. The Shabab fighters who control swathes of the country have banned music. Some Shabab commanders have publicly whipped musicians. “They don’t like me very much,” says K’naan. A suicide-bomber might even target him.

For all that, he and his music are defiantly hopeful. Despite their warrior reputation, Somalis love poetry and music. K’naan thinks the Shabab’s austere version of Islam will fail. The country’s vibrant culture, he insists, will win the day.

K'Naan - Wavin' Flag: The Celebration Mix

K'Naan Wavin' Flag - World Cup 2010 from Natalie Sasser on Vimeo.

You may remember the song "Wavin' Flag" from K'Naan's last LP, Troubadour. K gave the song a new mix, as it was selected as the official anthem for Coca-Cola's 2010 FIFA World Cup program. So you can expect to hear plenty of this song leading up to next Summer's World Cup set to take place in South Africa.

Download: K'Naan - Wavin' Flag: The Celebration Mix

J.Period x K'Naan - The Messengers (Deluxe Edition) Extended Mixtape + Bonus Tracks + Selected 12" S

"The record is not over yet.........."

Didn't know it was coming, but we NOW have the final chapter to the J. Period x K'Naan The Messengers project. Here is The Messengers (Deluxe Edition), featuring an extended mixtape, bonus tracks, and selected 12" singles. This long-play version of the project gives you remixed and re-imagined music inspired by these three legendary artists (Fela Kuti, Bob Marley, Bob Dylan).

Here is the download link as well as a behind-the-scenes video, "Making The Messengers."

DOWNLOAD THE MESSENGERS EXTENDED MIXTAPE

K'Naan & J Period - The Messengers Mixtape from Mark Valino on Vimeo.

J.Period x K'Naan - The Messengers Episode #3: Bob Dylan [Mixtape]

This is episode 3 (the third and final installment) and is dedicated to America’s reluctant Civil Rights song leader and poetic voice, Bob Dylan. Dylan’s own struggle with his status as a 'Messenger' is well-documented: he shunned the tremendous expectations placed on him during the 60’s, preferring to see himself as a songwriter rather than a social leader. Nevertheless, the impact of his music is undeniable and, over 40 years since Dylan’s arrival, J.Period & K’NAAN set out to show his continued relevance, both socially and musically." J. Period remixes Dylan's music with a hip-hop twist while K lays the vocals. Features on this episode include DJ Preservation, and bassist Brian Satz.

Download: The Messengers #3: Bob Dylan

J.Period, K'NAAN & Co. in South Africa for K'NAAN's World Tour 2009 from Truelements Music on Vimeo.

Official Press Release:

New York, NY (August 18, 2009) – Some artists are defined by their environment. Some redefine their environment. Still others push the boundaries of convention so fully that their influence is felt around the globe, and across generations. Their music compels us not only to dance but to think, not only to celebrate but to strive, not only to listen but to truly hear. Fela Kuti, Nigeria’s eminent musical activist; Bob Marley, Jamaica’s emissary of struggle and unity; and Bob Dylan, America’s reluctant Civil Rights song leader, are three such artists.

These are “The Messengers.”

Today, August 18, 2009, acclaimed DJ/Producer, J.Period, and rising Somali-born MC, K’NAAN, are pleased to announce a unique and powerful remix project, paying tribute to the lasting legacy of these musical giants. Weaving afro-beat, reggae, ska, folk music and rock into this genre-bending musical experience, The Messengers stretches the boundaries of hip hop—and the mixtape genre itself. Remixing the classic work of Fela, Marley and Dylan, The Messengers captures the timelessness of their sounds and the continued urgency of their messages. The result, as fans have come to expect from J.Period, is like no mixtape you’ve ever heard.

The Messengers arrives on the heels of K'NAAN's sophomore release, Troubadour (A&M/Octone Records), released January 2009. Having already made a powerful mark with his breakthrough debut, K’NAAN’s Troubadour debuted at #32 on Billboard’s Top 200, continuing his rapid rise on the world stage. Filled with eloquent and thought-provoking lyrics in the tradition of great folk singers and protest songs, the album also features all-star collaborations with Damian Marley, Mos Def, Kirk Hammett (Metallica), Adam Levine & James Valentine (Maroon 5) and Chubb Rock.

With a track record for game-changing remix projects (his recent collaboration with Q-Tip yielded over 600,000 downloads), J.Period’s ever-expanding highlight reel boasts remixes for heavyweights from Mary J. Bilge to The Roots to Kanye West, as well as original production for blockbuster films and video games. Commissioned by labels, artists and lifestyle brands for his groundbreaking promo campaigns, J.Period has not only elevated the mixtape to an art form, but consistently proved its viability as a potent promotional tool. Each release raises the bar, and with The Messengers, J.Period proves that his musical ear and signature documentary style are at home in any genre

K’NAAN’s compelling personal story (raised in war-torn Mogadishu, descendant of famed Somali singers and poets) has also fueled his international appeal: bridging styles and audiences; re-invigorating hip hop’s global influence; and altering perception of his homeland, Somalia (recently hailed as the world’s “Most Dangerous Destination” by Forbes Magazine). In hip hop, where MCs wear bullet wounds like badges of honor, few have actually lived through war, and even fewer emerged with a message of peace. K’NAAN has, making his lyrics on “The Messengers” not just a tribute to Fela, Marley and Dylan, but a testament to the transformative power of music itself.

"This project is really special to me,” says K’NAAN, “Not the product of ego but of passion. Far from a marketing tool, it is an honest musical offering. Nothing gives a better window into the root and concept of my own sound than The Messengers"

“A lot of people say hip hop is in a stagnant place, but I see few actually doing something about it,” says J.Period. “I love the The Messengers because the concept is completely unique, but still true to the original spirit of hip hop: combining the best elements from everywhere to create something fresh, to make a new statement. Fela, Marley and Dylan proved that when great music meets a powerful message, the result lives forever. I hope K’NAAN and I have done their legacies justice with this project.”

After an Invitation-Only Launch Party in Toronto (K’NAAN’s current home) on August 15, The Messengers will be released in 5 parts over the course of 5 weeks, beginning with the first installment—a 3-song digital EP featuring one Fela remix, one Marley, and one Dylan—on Tuesday, August 18. Following the EP release, J.Period & K’NAAN will pay tribute to each of “The Messengers” individually with a new release every Tuesday in September, beginning with a tribute to Fela Kuti (September 1), Bob Marley (September 8), Bob Dylan (September 15), and culminating in the release of The Messengers in its entirety (including additional bonus tracks and artwork) on September 22.

Each digital release will also be accompanied by an exclusive illustration by graphic artist, Fuse Green (http://www.fusegreen.com), the tremendous talent behind J.Period’s iconic cover art (Q-Tip, Lauryn Hill, The Roots, Game Rebellion)

The Messengers boasts a lineup of talented guest artists from around the globe: New York’s M1 (Dead Prez), Toronto’s Kardinal Offishall, Sierra Leone's rising talent Bajah + Dry Eye Crew (http://planetbajah.com), Brooklyn’s Steele (Smif’N’Wessun), Oakland’s Zumbi (Zion I), Game Rebellion front man Netic the Rebel, bassist Brian Satz, talented producer DJ Preservation, and mixer/engineer, Alex Moulton (www.expansionteam.org).

J.Period x K'Naan - The Messengers Episode #2: Bob Marley [Mixtape]

One week after dropping Episode One of the J.Period x K'naan project, The Messengers featuring Fela Kuti, J and K are back with the second installment. This tape is dedicated to the legendary Bob Marley, "Jamaica's global emissary of struggle & unity." J.Period remixes iconic tracks like "Belly Full," "Shot The Sheriff," and "Stir It Up," while K'Naan shows why he is one of the next generation's illest MC's. "Accompanying K on the mic are Kardinal Offishall, Steele (Smif N Wessun), Sierra Leone's Bajah (Dry Eye Crew), and Netic the Rebel (Game Rebellion)." Below the download link, and look out for episode 3, featuring Bob Dylan, next week.

Download "The Messengers: Bob Marley"

J.Period & K’Naan - The Messengers Episode 1: Fela Kuti (Mixtape)

A week or two ago I posted a sampler from this J. Period and K'Naan collaboration dedicated to Fela Kuti, Bob Marley, and Bob Dylan. This is the first installment, focusing specifically on Fela Kuti. I'm not gonna lie, I had to look him up too. He was a Nigerian multi-instrumentalist musician and composer, pioneer of afrobeat music, human rights activist, and political maverick. I've checked out some of his music, and it's pretty good. Will look more into him and spread some knowledge.



DOWNLOAD J. Period and K'Naan - The Messengers Episode 1: Fela Kuti

The next two installments will be posted at: http://www.jperiod.com/knaan/

J.Period & K’naan Present: The Messengers (Sampler)

J.Period are K’naan are teaming up for this project called The Messengers, a new mixtape paying tribute to 3 legendary musical leaders: Fela Kuti, Bob Marley & Bob Dylan. Check out three of the tracks:

1. Let’s Start (Fela Kuti Tribute)
2. Belly Full (Bob Marley Tribute) f. Kardinal Offishall, General Steele (Smif’N’Wessun) & Baja (Dry Eye Crew)
3. Relationships Lay (Bob Dylan Tribute)

Download the Sampler



K'Naan and J. Period - Relationships Lay (Bob Dylan Tribute) by treylord

K’naan - Dayless Nite AND Drake - I’m Going In (feat. Lil Wayne & Young Jeezy)

Having a real busy day, but gonna drop ya'll two hot new tracks.

Download K’naan - Dayless Nite


Download Drake - I’m Going In (feat. Lil Wayne & Young Jeezy)

K'Naan "T.I.A."

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

Love this song, love this video. I grew up in Africa, and it holds a special place in my heart. K'Naan does not disappoint with the song, and neither does Nabil who directs the video (also directed Kanye's trippy video for "Welcome to Heartbreak"). African art, beats, dance, people. While no video can truly capture the experience of visiting or living in Africa, it still helps to hear the poetry of the continent. The problem is that Africa, like every other continent if not more so, is an extremely diverse place with an extremely diverse people. Every tribe, country, ethnicity, religion, city, village, etc. has its own culture, stories, history.

I'd recommend that everyone visit, and while there, get off the reservation. The world would be a very different place if everyone got a chance to experience even a fraction that Africa had to offer. I have lived on the continent off and on for about 12 years, traveled throughout frequently, but most of Africa is still a mystery to me that I can't wait to explore.


I hope you've got your passports, and vaccine shots

I'd take rappers on a field trip any day
They never been opposite real clip anyway
I know where all the looters and the shooters stay
Welcome to the city we call Doomsday.

When niggaz is just fried chicken like Tuesday
Oh, you from the hood huh? who say?
My Nigerian niggaz would call you Pussy
My Somali niggaz are quick to grab the uzi

Around here we only bumping Fela Kuti
Tupac, or Bob Marley, Lucky Dube.
So we don't really give a fuck about your groupies
This Is Africa, Hooray.
T.I.A!!!!

K'Naan 'Dreamer' 2009 NFL Draft Promo

"Going Away" by K'NAAN and Nelly Furtado

Amazing song.

K'Naan on Somali Pirate Situation