Music review: 2010 The Year of K'naan

For those of you who haven't already been caught up in the K'naan buzz, then you need to know why K'naan is truly one of the best Canadian artists of 2010. Don't get me wrong, this guy's been around for awhile, but it's taken all this time for him to permeate pop culture and for the celestial alignment of key events to enable his star to rise. Here's what you need to know about why K'naan is so amazing:

• Unlike other hip-hop artists, K'naan has a unique perspective on life, having grown up in war-torn Somalia (PS - I'm beginning to think that all Somalian artists rock - Sade is from there too! Her new album is awesome, but I digress...)
• The dude is such an unassuming looking guy, yet his lyrics are deep, captivating and positive.
• Recommendation: go to iTunes right now and buy the following tracks: Fire in Freedom Town, Fatima, and Wavin' Flag (original version from Troubador album)
• Have you heard Waving Flag!!! There are a bizillion versions of it. I prefer the original, but they are all good. The song is featured on the NBA 2k10 (xbox, playstation), it's been translated and sung in a bunch of other languages, it was recorded by A-list Canadian artists as a way to raise funds for Haiti releif, and.....wait for it....it's the anthem for FIFA 2010!!!
• He won Artist of the Year and Songwriter of the Year (ya!) at the 2010 JUNO awards.
• K'naan represents freedom and hope. He was able to have his song become the FIFA anthem, while his country is controlled by the militia group called al Shabaab, who have decided to ban Somalis from watching this years World Cup because it goes against their Islamic religion. Anything is possible. Peace.

Rating: Easy