I give myself one or two guilty pleasure albums each year. This year, the first one has been K’naan’s debut album Troubadour. Some call K’naan “the future of music” and others see him as a quick product of the pop record industry. Both are probably true, but that’s what guilty pleasures are all about.
Born and raised in Somalia, K’naan escaped the country’s Civil War in the early 90s when his family relocated to NYC. This album is his answer to the strife and hardships he faced in his home country. The witty rhymes on the album fall somewhere between Damian Marley, Talib Kweli, Mike Skinner (of The Streets), A Tribe Called Quest and Eminem. Humorous as well as heart-felt lyrics are spread throughout the album. K’naan’s beats share as much style with reggae and Ethiopian jazz as they do American Hip Hop. From the Ethiopiques sample in, ironically, America to the sped up sample of The Wailers’ Simmer Down in TIA, K’naan is informing listeners of his African roots while making poppy, yet edgy music. Definitely a disc that will be on repeat during the Spring and Summer months.
K’naan is one of the openers (w/ The Hustle Boyz and a local DJ) for Snoop Dogg at Lincoln Theatre on Wednesday May, 13th (tickets go on sale Friday March 19th). If you were on the fence of whether or not to spend the $40 to see the show, K’naan makes the price that much more approachable (and that much more relative to 2009).
Troubadour can be listened to in its entirety at K’naan’s myspace page. Watch out, it’s addictive, but remember a few guilty pleasures are necessary for sanity.
Snoop Dogg
K’naan
The Hustle Boyz
Lincoln Theatre
May 13th, 2009
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