Somalian hip hop artist, born 1978 in Mogadischu, Somalia. When the civil war in Somalia reached the capital Mogadischu, his parents emigrated with their 13 year old son to Harlem, New York City, before moving to Rexdale, Ontario, joining a small Somali Canadian community, where he started his musical career. His aunt Magool is revered as being one of Somalia's most famous singers of all time, while his grandfather Haji Mohamed was a renown poet. K'naan is a Muslim and his name means "traveller" in the Somali language.Currently residing in Toronto, Ontario, K'naan has shared the stage with the likes of Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Pharoahe Monch and Jean Grae, while 2006 saw him on tour through the United States and Europe with Damian Marley on his Jamrock tour.
In 2001 K'naan performed in Geneva at the 50th anniversary of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
In 2005, he performed with DobaCaracol during the Live 8 concert in Barrie, Ontario. His full-length debut album, The Dusty Foot Philosopher, was released in 2005.
His song "Soobax" (pronounced "So-Bah") is now featured in the best selling video game FIFA Football 2006, made by Electronic Arts and he has toured the world with the cup.
K'naan participated in the Breedlove Odyssey Tour with Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Pharoahe Monch and Jean Grae. He also participated in the "Welcome To Jamrock" tour along with Damian Marley.
The Dusty Foot Philosopher received a 2006 Juno Award for Rap Recording of the Year, and was nominated for the inaugural Polaris Music Prize. He also featured in a song by M1, titled "Till We Get There".
The song "In the Beginning" from the album The Dusty Foot Philosopher was featured in the 2008 Comedy "Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay"
He also toured with Stephen Marley on Stephen's "Mind Control" tour.
His latest album "Troubadour" was released in 2009 featuring guests artists such as Damian Marley, Adam Levine, Kirk Hammett, Mos Def, and Chali 2NA.
A remixed version of K'naan's single "Wavin' Flag" was chosen as the Coca-Cola anthem for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
K'naan won the 2010 Juno Awards for Canada's Artist of the Year and Songwriter of the Year.
From Wikipedia:K'naan (pronounced /?ke?n??n/), born Keinan Abdi Warsame (Somali: Keynaan Cabdi Warsame, Arabic: ????? ???? ?????? Kin??n ?Abd? Warsamah) in 1978, is a Somali-Canadian poet, rapper, singer, songwriter, and instrumentalist.