K'naan

The music made by Kanaan Warsame, who performs as K'naan, is as eclectic as his background. Born in Mogadishu, Somalia, he came of age during that country's bloody and seemingly endless civil war before emigrating first to the U.S. and later to Canada during the early '90s. Since then, he's...

By Michael Roberts

February 12, 2009

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The music made by Kanaan Warsame, who performs as K'naan, is as eclectic as his background. Born in Mogadishu, Somalia, he came of age during that country's bloody and seemingly endless civil war before emigrating first to the U.S. and later to Canada during the early '90s. Since then, he's developed a hip-hop hybrid that's as likely to embrace pop, rock and who-knows-what as the rhythms of his native continent. "If Rap Gets Jealous," the lead single from Troubadour, a full-length set for release later this month, gives hip-hop plenty of reasons to be envious, thanks to the fret-punishing riffology dished out by guest guitarist Kirk Hammett, of Metallica fame, while "ABCs," co-starring Chubb Rock, is built on beats midway between a New York club and a Jamaican dance hall. K'naan isn't the most profound lyricist going, despite his unusual history, and as an emcee, he's merely adequate. But don't count him out, because he's a chameleon — and a survivor.

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

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