Dusty Foot Philosopher [Import]

K'Naan | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 23, 2005)
• Original Release Date: 2005
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Bmg
• ASIN: B000A1IKCO
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #51,406 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #18 in Music > Rap & Hip-Hop > International Rap

Track Listings

1. Wash It Down

2. Soobax

3. What's Hardcore?

4. My Old Home

5. I Was Stabbed by Satan

6. Smile

7. If Rap Gets Jealous

8. The Dusty Foot Philosopher

9. Strugglin'

10. In the Beginning

11. Hoobaale

12. The African Way

13. Voices in My Head

14. Boxing My Shadow

15. For Mohamoud (Soviet)

16. Until the Lion Learns to Speak

Editorial Reviews

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. Canada only release! With his unique voice and truly authentic style, K'naan brings an enormous dose of realness and urgency to the hip-hop world in a time when people are desperate for it. From a personal and cultural history rooted in poetry (being the grandson of one of Somalia's most famous poets), K'naan widens the traditional hip-hop perspective. Discovered and produced by Track & Field, same producers that discovered and produced Nelly Furtado, Dusty Foot Philosopher is comprised of 18 total tracks including 'Smile', 'My Old Home', 'In The Beginning', 'Voices In My Head', 'Wash It Down', 'Hoobaale', 'Rap Gets Jealous' and more. BMG. 2005.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Overwhelmingly Beautiful and Poetic!, October 3, 2006

By 

Ekwa "African filmmaker" (New York, NY, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dusty Foot Philosopher (Audio CD)

I'm an East African who grew up right over the border from Somalia and even then, I've never heard anyone say anything about Somalia other than rehashing CNN's point of view. It was always just a "messed up" place and nothing else. Finally this young brother speaks with such passion about the life and people that LIVE there...despite the turmoil and everything else there is LIFE and LOVE and K'Naan does such a phenomenal job getting that across. Listening to his tracks you can feel the pain, the frusteration, the hope...everything. He also acknowledges that just because he's no longer in a war-torn country doesn't automatically mean that life is great, a thought rarely discussed when it comes to refugees. It's often assumed and believed that we've done them all a great huge favor by removing them from their country...and while it's obviously better not to live under the fear of death, there's also the fact that generally people prefer to live in their home surroundings with the people they love and are familiar with. Migration, even to the lands of milk and honey in the west, is a HUGE sacrifice. Bravo K'Naan! This CD is a major contribution to Africa's history and to the masses whose thoughts and feelings are rarely acknowledged in an affirming an unbiased manner. An ESSENTIAL piece to anyone's library!

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Refreshing, innovative, dynamic, November 26, 2006

By 

J. Wiest "whafrog" (St. Paul, MN) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dusty Foot Philosopher (Audio CD)

I normally don't go for hip hop and I hardly ever give 5 stars, but quality trumps genre any day, and this is some great stuff. Musically influenced by hip hop beats and his native Somalia, he manages to keep them successfully distinct. When he does merge them, it is with skill and style and wit. Too often merged styles end up sounding muddy, but not here.

The lyrics are poetic. He deals with some very serious subjects, but manages to inject humour and pragmatism without cheapening the message.

Finally, the album works well as a whole, not just a collection of songs, though you'll probably want to add some singles to your playlists.

Enjoy!

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I work for the struggle, i don't work for dough, February 13, 2006

By 

Eve Neela Malone (lovely Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dusty Foot Philosopher (Audio CD)

One of the most engaging, well written albums I've come across in quite some time. K'Naan has been a favourite of mine and I was lucky enough to catch a live performance last year. This album is the next best thing to a live performance.