K’Naan's unafraid to explore music

K’Naan’s Wavin’ Flag has been soaring high on the popularity charts. The singer, who performed live at the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup recently, changed the original lyrics of this song from his album, Troubadour, to make a celebration mix. Excerpts from an interview with the Somalia-born, Canada-raised rhymer K’Naan who won the Juno Award in 2010.
Some say that you are a modern-day Bob Marley with street cred.
Do you agree?
It’s a blessing to be compared to him but I always duck away when it comes to the comparison because after all, Bob Marley is a legend.
It’s reported that you fired your first gun at age eight. How much of that experience has translated into your lyrics?
I suffer from something like ‘survivor guilt’, thinking of the people I grew up with. Several of my boyhood friends were shot dead in front of me. I handled a machine gun and exploded a hand-grenade accidentally but never killed anyone. I was born in Somalia, spent first 14 years there. At the age of 11, the Civil War broke out. It was a very difficult and emotional time, time for survival.
What was your original idea when you penned the lyrics of Wavin’ Flag? Why did you agree to rework on the lyrics?
Staying alive was a struggle in Somalia, so I fled the country with my mother and siblings at the age of 14. Wavin’ Flag is partly drawn from my experiences growing up, and partly, an appeal for peace and freedom. The track is a remix of Wavin’ Flag, which originally appeared on my album, Troubadour. I reworked the song for the cola campaign because it invites football fans to express their optimism and passion for football through dance celebrations in the run-up to the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. The single has been released in more than 150 markets around the world and is used as the anthem for all elements of the global cola campaign in support of its FIFA World Cup sponsorship in more than 160 countries.
Big label deals, tours with Lenny Kravitz and Damian Marley, a plug on Kanye West’s blog or singing at the Opening Ceremony of the FIFA World Cup — what’s been the most exciting experience for you?
Each tour has been memorable. I started with Lenny and others followed. Recently, I did a trophy tour with a cola giant. We performed in almost every country for fans, presidents, VIPs and everyone in between. It’s hard to describe the response to Wavin’ Flag and the Cup. I’ve performed in Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Sudan, Eritrea, Djibouti, Yemen, Tanzania, Seychelles, Comoros, Madagascar, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Mozambique, Swaziland, Lesotho and South Africa. So, it has definitely been exciting.
At a concert in Geneva celebrating the 50th anniversary of the United Nations’ 1951 Refugee Convention, you also did a startling off-the cuff rap denouncing the UN’s failures in Somalia. Didn’t you fear indulging in such a torrent of words?
No, not at all. Everyone appreciated it. In fact, a great Senegalese singer, Youssou N’Dour, asked me to join him in the studio and then for a world tour after that. I didn’t do it for provocation; I didn’t do it for sensation. It was a bit more personal for me. As someone who is from Somalia, and has a strong community at home, I have more affinity to my people than to my career. To be representing Somalia on such a stage, and to say nothing in that moment was not done.
You’ve performed Wavin’ Flag at the opening ceremony last week. How was the experience considering that Somalia hasn’t qualified for the World Cup? Which team are you rooting for?
When I was playing at the Opening Ceremony, I didn’t think about all the people watching around the world. I thought about the audience that was there. I knew what was going on, but when you start the song, your focus just becomes the song and the people that are there watching. It was an amazing experience. I just got back and it was great. The atmosphere there is amazing. The streets are lined with flags from every country. Every team has imported their fans. With every game, you get a change of ethnicity. It’s beautiful. I’m supporting Ivory Coast.
What’s your take on vuvuzela?
When you’re in the stadium and you hear them, it’s not so bad. But
sometimes, at my concerts when I’m playing, I’m like ‘Shut up!’. People have done that too and sometimes, I have had to actually tell them to stop playing it. Some people can play it and be very good. Since everyone has access to the vuvuzela, not all can play it well. So, sometimes it’s horrible to hear it being played.
At least, 20 different versions of Wavin’ Flag has been recently released. Any chances of doing a Hindi version for India?
I think we are almost done with all the versions. The English version has been a huge hit in India and many other countries.
There are talks of Shakira singing for a Bollywood movie. Would you ever want to sing for Bollywood?
I am unafraid to explore music.
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