Post by kaya on Feb 3, 2009 12:05:12 GMT -5
K'naan Preps Sophomore Album, Announces Tour
Published: Wednesday - January 28, 2009
Words by Allen Starbury
Somalian born rapper, K'naan, is gearing up for the release of his long-awaited sophomore album, Troubadour, in February, and has announced a tour in support of the album.
He is fresh off a national tour with Matisyahu. The new tour kicks off on February 5 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, hitting 22 cities across the U.S. including Chicago, Long Beach, New York and Miami, before wrapping up things at the annual Coachella festival on April 17th.
His new album features Damian "Junior Gong" Marley, Chubb Rock, Mos Def, Vernon Reid, Kirk Hammett of Metallica, and Adam Levine and James Valentine of Maroon 5.
For those unfamilar with K'naan, he grew up in the war-torn country of Somalia, seeing more violence and tougher streets than any gangster rapper could ever imagine. Escaping on the last commercial flight out of the country, the rapper in North America and has proven to be not just your average MC, but a voice for change, a peacemaker, and a cultural bridge between the developing world and the west.
Within the last two years alone, K'naan has played over 500 shows across five different continents, recorded and released his debut outing, The Dusty Foot Philosopher, and has had the privilege of sharing the stage -- as well as recording with -- artists such as Damian "JR Gong" Marley, Stephen Marley, Mos Def, The Roots, Nelly Furtado, Dead Prez, Youssou N'Dour, Amadou and Miriam and many more.
In 2006, he took home the Juno Award (Canada's Grammy) for Best Rap Recording and most recently received "Newcomer of the Year" honors at the UK's BBC Radio 3 Awards.
Confirmed tour dates are as follows:
2/05 - Grand Rapids, MI @ Calvin College Fine Arts Center
2/06 - Ann Arbor, MI @ Michigan Union Ballroom
2/07 - Guelph, OH @ Sleeman Center
2/08 - Chicago, IL @ Reggie's Bar and Grill
2/10 - Madison, WI @ The Annex
2/11 - Minneapolis, @ MN Cedar Cultural
2/13 - Lincoln, NE @ University of Nebraska
2/14 - Denver, CO @ The Bluebird
2/16 - San Diego, CA @ San Diego Sports Arena
2/19 - Garberville, CA @ Toph's House
2/20 - Oakland, CA @ Fox Theatre
2/21 - Long Beach, CA @ Long Beach Arena
2/25 - New York, NY @ SOB's
2/27 - Washington, DC @ Kennedy Center (Millenium Stage)
3/01 - Allston, MA @ Harper's Ferry
3/02 - Philadelphia, PA @ World Café
3/04 - Atlanta, GA @ Vinyl
3/05 - Jacksonville, FL @ Jack Rabbit's
3/06 - Orlando, FL @ Social
3/07 - Miami, FL @ Bicentennial Park
3/09 - Portland, OR @ Doug Fir
3/10 - Seattle, WA @ Neumos
4/17 - Indio, CA @ Coachella
Published: Wednesday - January 28, 2009
Words by Allen Starbury
Somalian born rapper, K'naan, is gearing up for the release of his long-awaited sophomore album, Troubadour, in February, and has announced a tour in support of the album.
He is fresh off a national tour with Matisyahu. The new tour kicks off on February 5 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, hitting 22 cities across the U.S. including Chicago, Long Beach, New York and Miami, before wrapping up things at the annual Coachella festival on April 17th.
His new album features Damian "Junior Gong" Marley, Chubb Rock, Mos Def, Vernon Reid, Kirk Hammett of Metallica, and Adam Levine and James Valentine of Maroon 5.
For those unfamilar with K'naan, he grew up in the war-torn country of Somalia, seeing more violence and tougher streets than any gangster rapper could ever imagine. Escaping on the last commercial flight out of the country, the rapper in North America and has proven to be not just your average MC, but a voice for change, a peacemaker, and a cultural bridge between the developing world and the west.
Within the last two years alone, K'naan has played over 500 shows across five different continents, recorded and released his debut outing, The Dusty Foot Philosopher, and has had the privilege of sharing the stage -- as well as recording with -- artists such as Damian "JR Gong" Marley, Stephen Marley, Mos Def, The Roots, Nelly Furtado, Dead Prez, Youssou N'Dour, Amadou and Miriam and many more.
In 2006, he took home the Juno Award (Canada's Grammy) for Best Rap Recording and most recently received "Newcomer of the Year" honors at the UK's BBC Radio 3 Awards.
Confirmed tour dates are as follows:
2/05 - Grand Rapids, MI @ Calvin College Fine Arts Center
2/06 - Ann Arbor, MI @ Michigan Union Ballroom
2/07 - Guelph, OH @ Sleeman Center
2/08 - Chicago, IL @ Reggie's Bar and Grill
2/10 - Madison, WI @ The Annex
2/11 - Minneapolis, @ MN Cedar Cultural
2/13 - Lincoln, NE @ University of Nebraska
2/14 - Denver, CO @ The Bluebird
2/16 - San Diego, CA @ San Diego Sports Arena
2/19 - Garberville, CA @ Toph's House
2/20 - Oakland, CA @ Fox Theatre
2/21 - Long Beach, CA @ Long Beach Arena
2/25 - New York, NY @ SOB's
2/27 - Washington, DC @ Kennedy Center (Millenium Stage)
3/01 - Allston, MA @ Harper's Ferry
3/02 - Philadelphia, PA @ World Café
3/04 - Atlanta, GA @ Vinyl
3/05 - Jacksonville, FL @ Jack Rabbit's
3/06 - Orlando, FL @ Social
3/07 - Miami, FL @ Bicentennial Park
3/09 - Portland, OR @ Doug Fir
3/10 - Seattle, WA @ Neumos
4/17 - Indio, CA @ Coachella