K’naan – Troubadour
Rating: 
Review Date: March 9, 2009
Website: K’naan Website
Label: A&M/Octone
K’naan “Troubadour” Album Review
I only paid $2 for this album. I guess there was some kind of fuck up over at Amazon.com, because when I went there to preview the tracks, the sale price was listed as $1.99. Realizing this couldn’t be correct, I quickly jumped on that shit and, immediately after purchasing, checked the page again to see the price listed at $7.99. Nice, huh? Especially since K’naan’s “Troubadour” has become probably my favorite album of 2009 thus far.
Why I Like This Album?
1. Because I was hating on it at first, then realized it was tight – Even though K’naan’s last album, “The Dusty Foot Philosopher,” is possibly a classic to me, I was hating on this new release at first. What can I say? I’m a hater like that. Dude got all popular and most underground hip-hop fans hate on dudes who get popular. But the good part about this is that there’s nothing like having a hip-hop album surpass your expectations. I was expecting a corporate-controlled, watered-down pop album, but I got a lyrical, musical, groundbreaking symphony combining hip-hop, rock, folk and pop music styles. K’naan definitely displays a wide range of musical abilities in “Troubadour.”
2. K’naan tells his story – I’ve heard people hate on K’naan before, saying that since he spent more than half of his life in Canada, it is unfair to capitalize on his Somali upbringing in order to enhance his rap career. But the lyrics on “Troubadour” spend a lot of time reminiscing on K’naan’s childhood, and I never got the impression that he was trying to capitalize on his Somalia experiences – just simply trying to tell his story. And K’naan’s story just seems real to me. This can be seen in tracks like Dreamer, Somalia, Fatima and People Like Me.
One of my favorite lyrical tracks on this album is People Like Me, a slow introspective track in which K’naan drops three great verses about down-and-out individuals. The third verse is a story about his favorite cousin who didn’t make it out of Somalia like K’naan did:
I guess I told you about myself to a degree/
Just by telling you about people like me/
But people like me, they speak politely/
They don’t start no beef or piece of white meat/
Everybody gotta eat, but everybody doesn’t/
Which is why I wanna tell you about my favorite cousin/
He and I grew up where the sun shines/
And we both partook in the gun crimes/
And we both liked American rap rhymes/
Even though we didn’t understand one line/
If you remember my liner notes in my last album/
I talked about a close call with a grenade/
I think we both must’ve been about seventh grade/
But don’t panic, we both survived without damage/
But we developed a bond like we survived the Titanic/
So when the country became frantic/
My mother tried to get us out – planned it/
To the last detail/
Except the plan got derailed/
‘Cause there wasn’t enough money for the plane tickets/
How bitter when my mother had to chose who to take with her/
So my cousin got left in the war/
And that’s just hard to record/
But now I take refuge and prayer/
Kinda like finding God in the phone book/
It came to me sounding something like a song hook/
3. Although it’s poppy, it’s still dope – A lot of underground heads are going to hate on this album, simply because of its sound. Several tracks are poppy as a motherfucker, and upon first listen songs like T.I.A., Bang Bang, 15 Minutes Away and Biscuit may come across as overly-mainstream and pop. However, as I’ve listened to this album more and more, the poppy tracks have slowly become my favorites. “Troubadour” is an album that is very well done, and manages to mix popular sounds, infectious choruses and catchy songs with intelligent lyricism and skilled wordplay.
One good example is the track Somalia, in which K’naan drops one of the album’s standout verses – touching upon his struggle, his purpose, and his status as beyond the normal “underground verses mainstream” classifications of hip-hop:
We used to take barbed wire/
Mould it around discarded bike tires/
Roll ‘em down the hill on foot blazing/
Now that was our version of mountain bike racing/
Daaaamn! Do you see why it’s amazing?/
When someone comes outta such a dire situation/
And learns the English language just to share his observation/
Probably get a grammy without a gram of education/
So fuck you school and fuck you immigration/
And all of you thought I wouldn’t amount to constipation/
And now I’m here without the slightest fear or reservation/
They love me in the slums in their native reservations/
The world is a ghetto with ministrant deprivation/
But mommy didn’t raise no fool, did she Hoyle?/
I promise that I’ll get it and remain strictly loyal/
‘Cause when they get it, they let it all switch and spoil/
But I just illuminated it like kitchen foil/
A lot of mainstream niggas is yapping about yapping/
A lot of underground niggas is rapping about rapping/
I just want to tell you what’s really crackalacking/
Before the tears came down, this is what happened/
4. This shit makes me happy yo – The first nine tracks of this album are just nonstop cranks. After that, it takes more of a folkish R&B twist. But from start to finish, even with often emotional content, “Troubadour” is an album with a happy vibe and a positive outlook. The music is head-nodding, the lyrics are motivational and K’naan’s flow is mostly upbeat and fun. Tracks like Dreamer, I Come Prepared, Bang Bang and T.I.A. had me dancing around on the subway looking like Carlton Banks.
In the track Dreamer, K’naan imagines a life without the hardships he’s faced:
Back on the verse/
Imagine crack wasn’t birthed/
Imagine the Earth wasn’t hurt/
Imagine the homeland alerts/
Imagine no record locator/
So I wouldn’t have to get a criminal waiver/
Imagine the piece wasn’t in my briefs/
Instead peace could stretch across the seas/
So finally we could just rest in the East/
No refugees/
Overall: This album got mixed reviews – and nobody seems to think it is as tight as I do. But I like every single song on this album, and have been bumping it nonstop for like two weeks now. Whether you’re a fan of the underground or the mainstream, you will probably appreciate K’naan’s “Troubadour” as one of those albums that is bigger than both. Musical, lyrical, conscious, unique, innovative: “Troubadour” is all of these. My first five-star album of the year thus far, so I highly recommend giving it a try. Peace.
Album Track Listing:
- T.I.A.
- ABC’s (featuring Chubb Rock)
- Dreamer
- I Come Prepared (featuring Damian Marley)
- Bang Bang (featuring Adam Levine)
- If Rap Gets Jealous (featuring Kirk Hammett of Metallica)
- Wavin’ Flag
- Somalia
- America (featuring Mos Def and Chali 2na)
- Fatima
- Fire in Freetown
- Take a Minute
- 15 Minutes Away
- People Like Me
nothing wrote:
this album was real hit or miss with me, but definitely more hits than misses. my least favorite song is probably dreamer, i just wasn’t feeling the hook. my favorites are if rap gets jealous and people like me.
Posted on 09-Mar-09 at 1:40 am | Permalink
Anonymous wrote:
The word in question is “hooyo,” the Somali word for “mother.”
Posted on 09-Mar-09 at 3:53 am | Permalink
BeatRoot wrote:
I am really feelin’ this album, I get the whole poppy nature of alot of the beats yet his wordplay and discriptive style is tight as hell.
For me K’naan is a cat just enjoying himself and the music he’s making, uplifting yet deep, poppy yet playful… Props too him
Posted on 09-Mar-09 at 6:38 am | Permalink
303 b-boy wrote:
agreed 100%. i love this album.
Posted on 09-Mar-09 at 9:52 am | Permalink
IMONSHROOMS wrote:
on myspace he was advertising $2 for troubador so i dont think it was, great album though
Posted on 09-Mar-09 at 5:42 pm | Permalink
Poirier wrote:
I definitely think it’s as tight as you do! the only track I ain;t happy with is the new If Rap Gets Jealous… because the original from DSP is so much better
Posted on 09-Mar-09 at 6:16 pm | Permalink
jm wrote:
I agree completely! Go buy it, its amazing. Havent stopped listening to it since I got it! Can’t wait to see him in concert
Posted on 12-Mar-09 at 2:26 pm | Permalink
K wrote:
Agreed, original If Rap Gets Jealous is far far better than the new version. Was my favourite track from DFP.
The new album has some great tracks on there though, haven’t listened to it enough yet, but is great to see him getting recognition now and people are finally hearing him.
Posted on 12-Mar-09 at 8:38 pm | Permalink
Matt wrote:
I downloaded this album off of iTunes and I am SO dissappointed that I missed out on the bonus track “biscuit” thats only available on amazon.com
Can anyone email to me? I feel like I got jipped and I can’t get the track unless I buy the whole album again!
my email is hybrid-theory@hotmail.com…thanks a ton!
Posted on 14-Mar-09 at 5:02 pm | Permalink
K wrote:
I had a good try finding it Matt, but no luck.
Hopefully pick it up at some point in the future and send it you.
I wouldn’t feel too robbed, the tracks you have are great anyways!
Posted on 19-Mar-09 at 9:00 pm | Permalink
Fisch wrote:
Thanks for the recommendation, Nat. Dope album. His versatility reminds me of K-Os. His flow reminds me of nobody – truly original and creative.
As previously said, it is a little “poppy” in places and I had a hard time swallowing some of the hooks. That being said, I’ve only listened through once and I can tell this is going to grow on me even more.
It clearly earned a spot in the rotation for now. I’ve gotta get that Dusty Foot now – I want to hear him not so poppy.
Thanks again for the rec.
Posted on 31-Mar-09 at 11:04 pm | Permalink
K wrote:
Fisch, Dusty Foot Philosopher is raw and african influenced, a real gem. Hope you pick it up!
Posted on 10-Apr-09 at 2:56 pm | Permalink
Jonesy wrote:
I’ve listened to this a couple of times, but can’t get into it really… some of the tracks are really dope, but for me this album is about 3/5…
his last album is a true classic… I just think he’s lost his appeal on this one…
Posted on 20-Sep-09 at 5:48 pm | Permalink
admin wrote:
Update
Posted on 01-Oct-09 at 7:54 pm | Permalink
Jay wrote:
Agreed entirely… K’naan is one of the most intelligent lyricist ever… The song ‘If Rap Gets Jealous’ was much better on the original OST it has to be said.
Anyone know where to download the two additional tracks ‘Biscuit’ and ‘Does It Really Matter’? Can’t find them anywhere…
Posted on 26-Oct-09 at 1:58 pm | Permalink
Kaydee wrote:
Waivin Flag is the official Fifa world cup theme now.I’ve heard just two tracks from the album.If Rap gets jealous and Wavin’ Flag that is now played every second on Radio stations.Keep up the good work
Posted on 19-Nov-09 at 5:52 pm | Permalink
BeatRoot wrote:
I get the whole using waivin flag and shit, but he is Somali and the World Cup is happening in South Africa.. What about Fifa reppin’ and showin’ some love to native music..
Posted on 19-Nov-09 at 8:00 pm | Permalink
jami wrote:
love this album, and completely agree with this review. hope to see him in concert in april!
Posted on 03-Mar-10 at 5:15 pm | Permalink
intelligentRebelLion wrote:
HOWS WAS THIS MAN NOT EVEN NOMINATED FOR BEST NEW ARTIST – F THE GRAMMIES –
DOWNLOAD KNAANS ALBUM THE MESSENGERS @ INTELLIGENTREBELLION.ORG
Posted on 04-Mar-10 at 2:34 pm | Permalink
The.Watcher wrote:
Just put this album on again and- nope, still don’t feel it. All I hear is pop music, and that’s something I cannot get past. Plus, the whole Ragga thing, it may work for Damien, but here it feels corny.
That’s just my opinion. Oh BTW, I’m from Africa.
Posted on 05-Mar-10 at 3:55 am | Permalink
Kimber wrote:
Trobadour is an awesome album. Songs that stand out for me in this album are: Fatima, Somalia, People Like Me and Take a Minute.
His lyrics definitely have substance and I do feel like he is just telling his story rather than capitilazing on the fact that he’s from Somalia.
Overall, I suggest this album to anyone who is looking for some good music
Posted on 22-Mar-10 at 7:49 pm | Permalink