My family has a new favorite artist we are obsessed with. K'naan. That's right my whole family, Ike especially. We've listened to music with him before but he hasn't really cared until Ryan introduced him to K'naan. He now can't get enough. First he would ask Ryan every time he was around to listen to K'naan, then he learned to find it himself on the iPhone, then he figured out how to watch him on youtube, I don't know how this kid figures things out so quick.
Do you have a favorite artist that you listen to so much that you just assume everybody must listen and love them as much as you do. Well that's how I'm starting to feel about K'naan although I know most people haven't heard him yet so I'm trying to change that. Now he is a hip hop artist so I know he's not for everyone but I think he has universal appeal. If nothing else his story makes him interesting. He was raised in Mogadishu, Somalia. After civil war broke out his visa was approved the last day the American embassy was open and was on the last commercial flight out of Somalia. He taught himself english by listening to hip hop. He feels his purpose to to tell people about the things he's seen and lived through. Listening to his lyrics kind of puts into perspective how hard life can really be. I think he kind of puts American rappers to shame, like you think you've had a hard life, try growing up in a war torn 3rd world country.
I think it's important for us to learn about other cultures and other times in history when people survived despite so much adversity. It makes me thankful for even the small things in my life. Like when I wish I had a second bathroom, I stop and am thankful that I have indoor plumbing and a roof over my head.
4 comments:
I love your little dancer. I have to say living in a 3rd world country in Africa does make you appreciate America. We live in a great country. I sure miss your kids. We are looking forward to December when you visit.
Hey Marj,
Thanks for sharing his music, it was cool. I know what you're saying about getting fixated on music. I'll get obsessed with a band/artist and listen to them over and over again for a a few weeks - think the last one was No Doubt. Then I'll read up on them on Wikipedia and watch their music videos. Until I move onto the next. I'm sort of on a Wait, Wait Don't Tell fix right now.
Lori and I saw him in concert with Matisyahu and Trevor Hall last winter and he was awesome. I really like the waving flag song. I was obsessed with Matisyahu for a long time - I could not get enough. Now I feel that way about Bon Iver and Crosby, Stills & Nash. Love the new blog design BTW!
Sometimes I wonder why it is that this time of year it is as if I practically need to be screamed at by something reminding me of how wonderful life is. Hearing his story is an eye opener.
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