Liberator 5.1
K'naan: The Dustyfoot Philosopher.
words: Pensoul
 

K’naan.  Born in Somalia, relocated to the States on the last commercial flight exited War torn Somalia at the age of thirteen.  Armed with sketchy English that he had learned from an intensive study of great English writers primarily Nas and Rakim, two of Americas greatest poets at the turn of the last century. He escaped the river of blood and came to a unfamiliar land in search of asylum, which he found in within Hip Hop culture. While living in Toronto K’naan sharpened his word play as a spoken word artist and became a favorite among political figures around the world.  As Hip Hop is struggle to define its new post gangster rap era K’naan is part of the reemergence of conscious rap, K’naan on his mission to provide authentic conscious hip hop as teamed up with the players on a similar page, Dead Pez and Mos Def, and is making moves as a emcee/poet.  The Liberator caught up with K’naan while he was in Australia promoting his new LP and asked him the following questions.

How do you see being from African helping you as an artist and what do you feel that gives you as far as insight into hip hop culture?

Being from Africa gave me many things.  It gave me access to immediate wisdom contained in the languages of the peoples of Africa.  It also allowed me to view music and the world from a different perspective.  As far as hip hop goes, being from Africa has insured that I carve my own path, rather than join the herd.  Which I think is positive, as only when you have been forced to take a separate path do you find a creative way to get home. 

How do you see yourself being able to help your homeland brothers and sisters through your music and what are you trying to accomplish through your art?

I hope that my music is apart of what helps to create significant amount of reflection to the Somali cause, both to the world and within our community.  For there are some within our community who, while they have been greatly affected by our collective struggle, have chosen to numb their pain by trying to integrate in to mainstream society, and shun all aspects of their culture, which naturally forces them to confront their past.  

What role do you see yourself playing politically through your music? 

I don't care to play a political role.  Politicians can play politics.  I just want to continue to create music which reflects my reality.  In the hope that it inspires a certain quest for justice.  Hopefully that's not too much to ask for. 

What has been the highlight of your professional career?

I've had quite a bit of highlights, I'm still having them.  Working with Youssou N'dour was one of them.  Addressing the UN with untimely honesty was another.  And recently, going to Djibouti (former Somali Coast) to play for my own people was another. 

When you were rapping in the hood in Africa did you visualize that you would be doing all the things you are doing now with Hip Hop music and what responsibilities do you feel to other Somalians that love Hip Hop?

I think there are two types of dreams.  The one which is out loud.  And the one that you keep within.  While I could not have imagined then that I would be doing this, there was always a silent understanding that something would happen.  And as far as responsibility goes, I feel that my only responsibility, is to represent the Somali people with dignity, and in an honest manner.  But this can be said about how I must represent myself and the world as I see it.

What has hip Hop done for you?

Hip hop has given me a venue of expression, a way to articulate a hard time in my life which otherwise would have been impossible to do.  In my younger days though, hip hop through it's similes and metaphors introduced me to the struggles of the African people abroad.

What was it like working with dead prez and how did you all get hooked up?

Working with my RBG family was an honor.  M1 and I met after he had been introduced to my music.  Numerous people have told me before I met him, that they have been introduced to my sound through other artist. Brothers like M1 and Mos Def have been at the forefront of introducing my sound to the people in America. 

How do you feel about your first LP " Dusty foot Philosopher" and what can we expect from your next project?

You know, I just had a listen to the dusty foot philosopher album in it's entirety last night.  I really do love it.  Of course as an artist, and just personally, I am not satisfied with one piece of work.  But I certainly love the honesty in this record, and that it is introducing to the world, a new perspective, and a new sound.  I am however, truly excited about my possibilities as an artist.  I want to take it where none have taken it before.  I want to actualize a theory, that I have lived with alone, in silence for a long time. 

What your response when you found out they wanted you to read a poem to the UN in '01 and how did that come about and what did you learn from the experience? 

They initially wanted me to do a song at the UN, but I interrupted the song and decided on a poem.  Which I thought would address things more clearly.  It came about because some people in the United Nations, high up were big fans of my poetry.  And so I was invited to their 50^th anniversary.  In the process of what I had done, and the impact that it had on others, I learned that no one must ever fear hearing the truth, and I must never fear writing it.