6.20.2010

CD REVIEW: K'naan "Troubadour"

Troubadour
Hip hop come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. But what makes hip hop interesting is when it doesn't sound like everyone else. For Somali born rapper K'naan, music is life and it is that music that helps him to convey where is comes from, where he is going, and everything he is passionate about. His lyricism is cutting edge and his delivery is unmatched in the hip hop world today. Mos Def, Metallica's Kirk Hammett, and Maroon 5's Adam Levine all lend their vocals talents to the album and make for some exciting and innovative tracks. "Bang Bang" is a pop/hip hop collaboration the boldly breaks down genre barriers. "ABC's" and "If Rap Gets Jealous" showcase some of the best and most personal lyrics that K'naan has written. With influences ranging from everyone from Jay-Z to Bob Marley, K'naan takes an unconventional approach to an artistic form of music that has lately become very predictable. K'naan is a bright talent in the hip hop world and has definitely set himself up for a successful career with his major label debut.