He may be the next Bob Marley, a non apologetic music genius who has recorded his latest album Troubadour in Jamaica in Bob Marley’s studio with Damian Marley. A fire bullet that will infiltrate your soul until you catch yourself weeping deeply with joy, sadness by the situation of Somalia and hope of the potential that could be. He may be the most positive thing that came out of Somalia in the past eighteen years. A uniter of not only Somalis but of people of all ages and color, this young man is a force that is bringing the plight of the unforgettable and ever present chaos of Somalia to the world stage through his tingling music.

In a free concert that attracted a crowd hardly seen in the free concert series of the millennium stage in the Kennedy Center in Washington DC on Feb 27, K’naan’s name sprang in the arena stage by young giggly girls as well as adults and even seniors of all colors and creed. Indeed, this young man has brought Somalia and Somalinimo (Somalism) something politicians and community leaders across America have failed to accomplish. In his music and rhythmic poetry which is a unique blend of Somali music hip-hop and poetry, he touches on the dilemma of the forgotten, the young who lost their future to a useless bloody war and the land which has been stained by violence. Hardly disillusioned by the west and its disastrous polices towards Somalia, he is indeed the spokesperson if Somalia could ever claim one. 

If you are a Somali his music is particularly emotional, for he acknowledges you in a way that a young up and becoming hip hop artist of his caliber didn’t have to. Most celebrated artists would be lost into the status of celebrity and its perks to remember or acknowledge their roots and people in the way this humble young Somali has. But his music is universal and he has managed to make Somali words dance in the tongues of people who don’t understand Somali or may not even know what “Soo baax” or “waa naygii orodnoo nabad barinee, maraykan waa laga soo waayey” means. Familiar Somali tunes such as “sidii hogosha roobka” could be heard throughout his music; in fact that old tune by Maandeeq, the renown Somali singer is the beat to the song “Fire in Freetown”.

There were so many young people at the concert, no doubt delighted to enjoy music about them as well as celebrate one of their own. One particular young woman Halima Ahmed a student put it to me beautifully, in her words she said:

What does it take for the Kennedy Center in Washington DC to be crowded with 1000+ fans? Undoubtedly, you know the answer if you were present on 27th of February: K'naan is the answer!
The young rising star from Somalia captured the audience with his charismatic attitude and energy. Waving flag, Fatima, Soobax, What's hardcore, American, and ABC were among the songs he sang. The connection and energy level between the audience and K'naan was a sight to see! As a fan of K’naan's since the time of his first album, I was thrilled to have attended this event. It felt almost surreal! The show was packed with lyrics filled with emotions and excitement. As a product of the Somali Diaspora, I was mostly touched to have witnessed Non-Somalis waving the Somali flag! Aside from being a great poet and rapper, K'naan is undoubtedly putting Somalia on the map and showing the world a different vision of Somalia.

Yasmeen Maxamuud
Email: yasmeenmaxamuud@gmail.com
WardheerNews

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