Dusty Foot Philosopher (W/Dvd) (Dlx)

K'Naan | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 20, 2008)
• Original Release Date: 2008
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Interdependent Media
• ASIN: B0017V2112
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #44,819 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Wash It Down

2. Soobax

3. What's Hardcore?

4. My Old Home

5. Moment (Interlude)

6. I Was Stabbed By Satan

7. My God (Interlude)

8. Smile

9. If Rap Gets Jealous

10. Dusty Foot Philosopher

11. Strugglin'

12. In the Beginning

13. Hoobaale

14. African Way - K'naan, Mwafrika

15. Voices In My Head

16. Boxing My Shadow

17. For Mohamoud (Soviet) (Interlude)

18. Until the Lion Learns To Speak

19. Blues For the Horn

20. Til We Get There

Editorial Reviews

2008 Deluxe two disc (CD + DVD) edition of the Toronto-based rapper's universally acclaimed album featuring a bonus DVD. K'naan, former refugee, now based in Toronto makes music that is a mixture of hip hop, African beats and world music intertwined - combining African drums, chants, handclaps, guitars and organic instrumentation sets this album outside the hip hop herd. K'naan creates music with a message. Leaving Somalia at the age of thirteen on what turned out to be the last commercial flight ever to do so, amidst a crumbling society and the end to this day of any form of central government K'naan carried with him a very strong sense of purpose as well as his amazing lyrical gift, which has made him a beacon for other artists a well as those dedicated to global change.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Every bit as good as Troubadour, July 10, 2010

By 

Jeremy Casterson (Craig, CO USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dusty Foot Philosopher (W/Dvd) (Dlx) (Audio CD)

There's a good chance you bought K'Naan's Troubadour and you liked it as much as I did. You're going back a few years to consider picking up K'Naan's 2005 album Dusty Foot Philosopher. I very strongly recommend you do. You will not be disappointed.

DFP is a bit rawer than Troubadour, allowing K'Naan's brilliant poetic abilities to shine through on this album. There aren't many stars such as Mos Def or Damain Marley featured with him, but they're simply not needed. It strays a bit more from traditional hip hop, integrating a lot more African sounds/rhythms, basic drum beats, and acoustic guitar instead of polished samples. K'Naan's voice isn't anything special in my opinion, but he sings with such passion and emotion that his songs are sure to move you in more ways that one. K'Naan has an uncanny ability to make positive, uplifting songs from depressing themes. With a refreshing absence of degrading and violent lyrics, this is great hip-hop for kids. You may need to listen to it three or four times, but once it grabs your ear, you will realize this effort is just as amazing as Troubadour.

"Soobax" was the first release off this CD and it totally delivers, with catchy African beats and clever lyrics. Check out the video if you want to see great Nairobi footage. "Smile," one of my favorites on the CD, conjures up the years I spent in Africa where I was impressed that people with so poor could be so happy. "The Dusty Foot Philosopher" is a great straight-forward hip-hop song with a fun chorus. The smooth and mellow "Strugglin'" is one of the best tracks on the disc. I love "Hoobaale" and even the poetic "Until the Lion Learns to Speak." Every song is quality, with songs like "I Was Stabbed by Satan" and "Voices in my Head" and filling out the top tunes on the album.

The best song on the album? Little question in my mind that goes to "In the Beginning." I listed to DFP three times before this song blew my mind. Now I can't stop listening to it. It simply features an acoustic guitar, a drum, and K'Naan's powerful poetry. It's almost impossible to not dance and chant "DRUM DRUM DRUM!" along with K'Naan and throw up your fist in the air when he yells with all his heart "Put up your fists if all you want is freedom!"

"Put up your fists if all you want is..."

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Buy this CD!, July 1, 2008

By 

B. Cummings (Snowmass Village, CO United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dusty Foot Philosopher (W/Dvd) (Dlx) (Audio CD)

K'naan's "Dusty Foot Philosopher" is on that real tip. Kid grew up in a warzone and caught the last flight to Canada before the airport shut down. Since then he's been rocking the house. Saw him live with Stephen Marley last year and he killed it! Glad the cd is finally available in the states.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring, creative, makes you want to move, October 4, 2010

By 

Kiki - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Dusty Foot Philosopher (W/Dvd) (Dlx) (Audio CD)

As a white kid growing up in the 'burbs, I didn't get introduced to a whole lot of rap and hip-hop artists I enjoyed. Yeah, I liked one of Eminem's songs, but everybody likes ONE of Eminem's songs. K'naan changed that for me.

Not to get all gooshy. This is an excellent CD, with music that makes you want to get up and move. K'naan doesn't get preachy or woe-is-me, either; he seems to take his life very matter-of-factly, which I appreciated; it's really intense how he manages to make a song that should be entirely depressing by the subject matter and lyrics... upbeat and inspiring. He also has a sense of humor. I like that.

Why ARE his feet so dusty?