4 Musician
"Music is the divine way to tell beautiful, poetic things to the heart." -Pablo Casals
Keinan Abdi Warsame (K’naan)
Keinan Abdi Warsame, better known by his stage name K’naan, was born on April 16, 1978 in Mogadishu, Somalia 1. At the age of 13, K’naan left Somalia with his family for New York and 6 months later settled in toronto, Ontario. K’naan is a Somali-Canadian musician, rapper, and poet.
He is known for his unique blend of hip-hop and world music, and he gained international recognition for his song “Wavin’ Flag,” which was used as the anthem for the 2010 FIFA World Cup1.
Over a decade ago, K’naan arrived in Canada with his mother and two siblings, seeking refuge from the escalating civil war in Somalia. They managed to catch the final commercial flight out of the country just before the conflict intensified. Many of his relatives continue to reside in the Rexdale neighbourhood of Toronto, where the Somali community holds a significant presence 2
Music held a special place in his heart and was deeply rooted in his family’s history. His family had notable musical ties, with his aunt Magool being a renowned singer in Somalia and him being the grandson of the celebrated Somali poet Haji Mohamed 2. He carried on his family’s legacy by incorporating his unique style as he immersed himself in the world of hip-hop and rap, even though he initially couldn’t speak English, using phonetics to replicate lyrics and style 2
His poetry on Somali websites earned him recognition and an invitation to the 50th anniversary of the United Nations Commission for Refugees, where he received a standing ovation for his spoken word 2. He achieved significant success in the local music industry, winning a Juno Award for his debut album, “The Dusty Foot Philosopher,” in 2006. K’naan’s song “Wavin’ Flag” gained widespread popularity through charity singles and remixes, becoming the official song of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa 1. During the Vancouver Olympics, over 50 Canadian artists recorded the anthem, with proceeds benefiting various charitable organizations2. In 2012, K’naan released his last album and penned a guest essay for The New York Times on the challenges of the music industry. Subsequently, he diversified his career, venturing into television and film, while also completing a fellowship at Harvard’s Hutchins Center for African and African American Research. Currently, he is developing a musical at the Public Theater in New York 3
Key Takeaways
K’Naan has remained committed to his Somali roots and continues to be outspoken in the geopolitics of his home country. He is often regarded as a spokesperson for the Toronto Somali community. In 2007, he was invited by Canadian Broadcast Corporation to reflect on changes in the Somali courts, including the removal of the Islamic Courts Union 1. K’Naan renounced this act by Somalia and indicated his support for the Islamic Courts Union, pushing back on the Western critiques of Muslim governing systems. Furthermore, he has spoken out against the clan system used in Somalia and particularly its use in immigrant communities in Canada 1
Find out more:
1. K’naan – Wikipedia
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