K’Naan LIVE in JHB
Not only do we have two *esteemed* Joburg-based MC’s heading up this gig – Tumi and Zubz – in addition, soul-shaking DJ Khenzero will be joining them in rocking what looks to be one of the better HipHop line-ups we’ve seen this year in Johannesburg… However, to top it off, raise your hands in the air and go crazy for the main act, Somali’an born MC K’Naan, rhyming proof of African talent going all the way to the top globally. One show only: Saturday night 5 Sept, at Carfax – fans don’t hesitate, haters stay home, tickets from R130 get them here.
Here’s more info: Internationally acclaimed Somali–born MC K’Naan will be bringing his dusty foot philosophy to South Africa for one show only on September 5. Carfax in Newtown will play host to the world renown K’Naan, alongside his South African counterparts Tumi and the Volume, Zubz, Music at Last and DJ Kenzhero.
A modern folk hero and self-proclaimed troubadour, the Canadian MC is one of contemporary hip-hip’s most compelling voices, whose sly use of melody allows him to turn the harshest of stories into memorable musical moments.
Like all scene-changing MCs, K’naan comes with an irresistible backstory and unmatched musical pedigree. Born in Mogadishu, K’Naan’s aunt was one of the country’s most famous singers while his grandfather was a respected poet. He grew up in the thick of Somalia’s civil war until his father, a refugee working as a cab driver in New York City—sent home enough money to fund his family’s escape. In a fittingly dramatic flourish, K’naan and his kin made it onto the last commercial flight out of the country, landing first in New York before relocating to Toronto, where K’naan began learning English with the help of hip-hop, rapping along phonetically to Rakim and Nas records and eventually attaining a highly musical fluency of his own. In 1999, K’Naan turned a speaking engagement before the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees into a spot on Youssou N’Dour’s 2001 album Building Bridges.
In 2005 he released The Dusty Foot Philosopher to critical acclaim, winning the 2006 Juno Award for Rap Recording of the Year. The following year, he won the BBC Radio 3 Award for World Music in the newcomer category for 2007.The album was re-released and re-packaged as a “Deluxe Edition” featuring new mixes and a bonus DVD in the United States by the emerging media company and record label iM (Interdependent Media, Inc.) in 2008.
Over the past few years, he has worked with artists like Nelly Furtado, Mos Def, The Roots, Dead Prez, Pharoahe Monch and toured with Stephen and Damien Marley on the Mind Control tour in 2007. His second studio album, Troubadour, was released earlier this year.
www.myspace.com/knaanmusic
