Mos Def, Damian “JR Gong” Marley, Chubb Rock, Kirk Hammett of Metallica, Chali 2na and Adam Levine & James Valentine of Maroon 5 set to Join K’NAAN on ‘Troubadour’
Solo and Festival Tour Dates Set to Kick off in Grand Rapids on February 5th
“2009 Artist to Watch” The Los Angeles Times
K-ROCK/ KROQ Los Angeles Adds “If Rap Gets Jealous” into Rotation
Reaffirming his place as one of music’s most compelling new voices, celebrated Hip Hop MC, griot, and singer/ songwriter K’NAAN’s long-awaited sophomore album, Troubadour, in stores now, via A&M/ Octone Records. The album features of slew of unique musical collaborations from a variety of artists including Damian “JR Gong” Marley, Chubb Rock, Mos Def, Kirk Hammett of Metallica, Chali 2na and Adam Levine & James Valentine of Maroon 5. The first single off the album, “If Rap Gets Jealous,” was added into rotation on K-ROCK/ KROQ last week. Fresh off his national tour with Matisyahu, K’NAAN has also announced 2009 tour dates that will kick off in early February to support the release of Troubadour (see dates below).
K’NAAN’s debut album, 2005′s The Dusty Foot Philosopher, left an indelible mark on the Hip Hop community and the global music world, and now he returns with an album that inspires and is musically rich with classic beats, novel instrumentation and innovative rhymes. K’NAAN uses his unique voice and authentic style to bring an enormous dose of realness and urgency to the Hip-Hop world, in the tradition of great folk singers and protest songs he carves a new path filled with eloquent and thought-provoking lyrics. From the dynamic power “ABCs” to the genre bending grooves of “If Rap Gets Jealous” and the acoustic African folk melodies of “Fire in Freetown,” K’NAAN widens the traditional Hip-Hop perspective on his new album expanding boundaries with the combination of hard-hitting rhythms and lyrics.
As a child growing up in war-torn Somalia, K’NAAN has seen more violence and tougher streets than any gangster Rapper could ever imagine. Escaping on the last commercial flight out of the country, K’NAAN arrived in North America and has proven to be not just your average MC, but a voice for change, a peacemaker, and a cultural bridge between the developing world and the west. Within the last two years alone, K’NAAN has played over 500 shows across five different continents, recorded and released his debut outing, The Dusty Foot Philosopher, and has had the privilege of sharing the stage – as well as recording with – artists such as Damian “JR Gong” Marley, Stephen Marley, Mos Def, The Roots, Nelly Furtado, Dead Prez, Youssou N’Dour, Amadou and Miriam and many more. In 2006, K’NAAN took home the Juno Award (Canada’s Grammy) for Best Rap Recording and most recently received “Newcomer of the Year” honors at the UK’s BBC Radio 3 Awards.
Some early reviews on the album have hit with praise coming from media outlets across the board:
“2009 Artist to Watch” THE LOS ANGELES TIMES
“A fusion of traditional African folk music and socially conscious, street hardened-Hip Hop… K’NAAN is set to invigorate a scene burned out on braggadocio and posturing” SPIN MAGAZINE
“3 1/2 Stars” BLENDER MAGAZINE
“An artist to watch” NPR
NEW Album Track Listing:
ABC’s (Featuring Chubb Rock)
Dreamer
I Come Prepared (Featuring Damian Marley)
15 Minutes Away
Bang Bang (Featuring Adam Levine)
Fire In Freetown
People Like Me
Somalia
America (featuring Mos Def & Chali Tuna)*
Fatima*
If Rap Gets Jealous (Featuring Kirk Hammett)*
Take A Minute
T.I.A.*
Waiving Flag*
*- Denotes New Track
Confirmed Tour Dates for K’NAAN:
2/05 Grand Rapids, MI Calvin College Fine Arts Center
2/06 Ann Arbor, MI Michigan Union Ballroom
2/08 Chicago, IL Reggie’s Bar and Grill
2/10 Madison, WI The Annex
2/11 Minneapolis, MN Cedar Cultural
2/13 Lincoln, NE University of Nebraska
2/14 Denver, CO The Bluebird
2/16 San Diego, CA San Diego Sports Arena
2/19 Garberville, CA Toph’s House
2/20 Oakland, CA Fox Theatre
2/21 Long Beach, CA Long Beach Arena
2/24 Boston, MA The Middle East- Upstairs
2/26 New York, NY SOB’s
2/27 Washington, DC Kennedy Center- Millenium Stage
2/28 Baltimore, MD Sonar
3/01 Philadelphia, PA World Café
3/04 Atlanta, GA Vinyl
3/05 Jacksonville, FL Jack Rabbit’s
3/06 Orlando, FL Social
3/07 Miami, FL Bicentennial Park
3/09 Portland, OR Doug Fir
3/10 Seattle, WA Neumos
Sizzle Reel:
http://www.imeem.com/knaan/video/bcBwkB2P/knaan_sizzle_reel_music_video/
For more information on K’NAAN, please visit:www.thedustyfoot.com and
www.myspace.com/knaanmusic
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