Concert Review: K’NAAN at the Egyptian

BeatCrave recently had the wonderful opportunity to join many amazing guests from around the world and share in the opening night celebration of National Geographic’s All World Film Festival held at the Egyptian Theatre in Los Angeles.  During that celebration, the energetic and talented K’NAAN: The Dusty Foot Philosopher shared songs from his self-titled debut album and the recently released “The Dusty Foot on the Road.”

K’NAAN was born in Mogadishu, Somalia, and spent his childhood in the district of Wardhiigleey (“The River of Blood”) during the Somalia Civil War.  His aunt, Magool, was one of Somalia’s most famous singers and his grandfather, Haji Mohamed, is a poet. Needless to say his situational and familial roots helped to formulate his creative genius which was shown, in full force, during his performance.

American audiences have become so accustomed to contemporary rapper’s version of “thug life:” the difficulties, obstacles and hopelessness of growing up in the lower classes of the nation’s cities.  So accustomed, in fact that it becomes easy to believe that such a life is by far the worst, in every way the most difficult.  Then, from the shadows of Africa comes a talented young musician to remind all audiences (American or otherwise) that there are far greater nightmares from which a child can be raised.  There are worlds that make Harlem, South Central, Detroit, etc., etc., etc. look like a paradise and from those worlds we need to be reminded one simple fact: if you think you have it bad, there is ALWAYS someone, somewhere who has it worse.

This, of course, is not to say that anyone’s life struggle is not worth noting.  There is certainly room for all types of artists to rise from the rubble of their unfortunate circumstances and carry the message of that journey.  It is simply worth noting, that artist like K’NAAN are needed to remind people that there are other things going on outside of the American borders and we, as members of the human race, need to fight against such injustice.

K’NAAN uses his talent to rap about the struggles of Somalia and the world around him not to entertain but to educate.  Yet, while he is educating he never once fails to entertain.  His African beats mixed with his clever and sharply intellectual rhymes form a cohesive bond that is, in every way, a delight to listen to.

What is also truly amazing about K’NAAN is his uncanny ability to take situations very specific to his personal experiences and turn them into topics of which one can easily relate.  His ability to do this allows the listener an opportunity to place themselves into unbelievably difficult incidences for a brief moment and come out of the song, phrase, rhyme with an overwhelming sense of empathy for a life’s experience that would have normally been impossible to understand.

K’NAAN’s show was, in every sense of the word, an inspiration.  One could really feel the music, the lyrics and the emotion deeply embedded in each song.  Fortunately, for those who have yet to have the pleasure of seeing K’NAAN live, his talent also translates beautiful on CD so be sure to check out his albums, “The Dusty Foot Philosopher” and “The Dusty Foot on the Road.”