DJBooth.net Exclusive: Rock The Bells 2009 Opener in Chicago

Tinley Park, IL -- The official start of summer for children is the end of the school year. For those who are several years removed from the days of test-taking and homework, the official start of summer might be Memorial Day, whenever the weather gets nice, or simply after the first major concert of the warm-weather season is attended. Whatever the case may be for you, DJBooth.net officially kicked off its summer on Saturday, when Rock The Bells opened at The First Midwest Bank Amphitheatre in Tinley Park, Illinois.

Since its inception in the summer of 2003, Rock The Bells has been a rite of passage for summer concertgoers in need of a live hip-hop fix. In past years, headliners have included reunited groups Wu-Tang Clan and A Tribe Called Quest. For the tour’s 2009 incarnation, headliners included The Roots, Busta Rhymes, and Nas with Damian “Jr Gong” Marley, who performed together for the first time since wrapping up their forthcoming joint album, Distant Relatives.

Most concertgoers whom we spoke with at the festival were impressed with main stage acts Reflection Eternal (Talib Kweli and Hi-Tek), who spit an impressive freestyle over Kanye’s “Get Em High,” Big Boi, who emptied out the Outkast vault with hit after hit, Tech N9ne, who brings more energy to his live performance than nearly everyone’s favorite rapper, and K’naan, whose current album, Troubadour, was meant to be performed live. The real buzz, however, disseminated from the impressive lineup on the second stage, Paid Dues.

Headlined by Wu-Tang members and crowd favorites GZA and Raekwon, the second stage also featured impressive performances by Slaughterhouse (Joe Budden, Royce Da 5”9, Joell Ortiz and Crooked I), Buckshot (with special guests KRS-One and Kidz In The Hall), Tabi Bonney, M.O.P. and Mickey Factz. Unlike the main stage, which was behind-schedule the whole afternoon (several sets had to be abbreviated as a result), the Paid Dues stage packed a mean punch, delivering hi-octane acts from start to finish.

For those looking to truly kick off their summer, we recommend attending Rock The Bells 2009 on one of its remaining nine stops across North America. For those who are strapped for cash or simply live too far from the hosting cities to attend, thanks to our friends at Guerilla Union and MSO, DJBooth.net will be featuring behind-the-scenes footage from the festival. Throughout the week, we will showcase video interviews with Big Boi, Slaughterhouse, K’naan, Buckshot, Tech N9ne with Krizz Kaliko, Tabi Bonney, The Knux, and B. Dolan.

That's the thing about hip-hop… it just keeps giving.

Passion from Somalia.

A hip hop artist from Somalia? Are you kidding me? When my friends told me that one of their favorite artists, K'NAAN was coming to town, I originally hesitated because I really didn't know. Now I'm glad I went because I would have never known what I would have missed out on. Glad I chose wisely and went.

Somalia, a country known for its poverty and stricken by war, now can boast about one of their most talented and successful artists. K'NAAN brings passion, insightful and provocative lyrics to your cerebellum. Ringing through your ears and touching your heart, his music brings a different taste to poetry. Singing relentlessly about the political mess of his own country, he doesn't't forgot about the ongoing quest for world peace. His lyrics will make you think, react, and most of all move your head up and down. The melodic sounds soothe, and the beat will move you in a way that you need to be moved.

Pop & Hiss offers a look at some of the artists we expect to make noise in 2009.

Artist: K'naan

Why him: Though it’s popular in Europe, African hip-hop has not yet found its footing in America beyond the elegant gangsterisms of the Senegalese-born, New Jersey-based singer Akon. This year, a Canadian might be the one to break the intercontinental barrier. Kaynaan Warsame was born to one of Somalia’s most prominent artistic families in 1978 and grew up in Mogadishu as that city was torn apart by civil war. Immigrating to Toronto with his family as a teen, he soon turned to rap as a way to articulate his experience. His light-stepping but tough rhyming style is infused with the rhythms of his homeland, and his subject matter is both political and playfully personal.

What's next: K’naan’s 2005 debut album, "The Dusty Foot Philosopher," won a Juno (the Canadian Grammy) for best rap album; next month A&M/Octone Records will release "Troubadour," which was mostly recorded at Bob Marley’s Tuff Gong Studio with help from guests such as Damian Marley, Mos Def and Maroon 5’s Adam Levine. If Kenya’s favorite son, Barack Obama, could win the hearts of America, why not this sharp-witted Somali stylist?

-Ann Powers

NPR Music

January 6, 2009

Somali Rapper K'Naan Schools American MCs

News from Somalia usually involves violent warlords, or pirates hijackingships off the coast. Other than that, average Somalis don't have much of avoice. But a rapper from Somalia named K'Naan is trying to change that, and inthe world of hip-hop, he's become an artist to watch.

K'Naan grew up in Mogadishu, on what he calls "the meanest streets inthe universe." In one song on his new album, he calls his hometown the"risky zone," full of pistols and Russian revolvers.

"The song's called 'ABCs,' " K'Naan says. "And it's about howbeing born in a certain place changes everything, your destiny. I got the kidschoir singing, 'They don't teach us the ABCs / We play on the hard concrete,'and for us, that is very true."

Somalia is one of the poorest and most violent countries in the world.Malnutrition and clan warfare are rampant. According to Amnesty International,some 6,000 civilians were killed in fighting in 2007 alone. K'Naan says he wantsto use his music to raise consciousness about what's happening there.

"The people of Somalia just do not have a voice," he says."They are to me the most forgotten people in the world."

The rapper left Somalia as a teenager in 1991 with his mother and olderbrother. The country was in a civil war involving multiple fighting factions.

"Mogadishu was burning. The government is falling," he says."And all the embassies are packing out, and my mother is able to get visasto the U.S."

New Life In North America

His family eventually settled in Toronto. Eighteen years later, K'Naan isestablishing his name in Canadian and American hip-hop. His first album, 2006'sThe Dusty Foot Philosopher, was a hit with critics here and abroad.His latest, Troubadour, features Mos Defand DamianMarley. The L.A. Times recently listed K'Naan as an artist towatch in 2009, while The Guardian called him "powerfully low-key,theatrical [and] witty."

K'Naan writes in a variety of music styles. But before he moved to NorthAmerica — before he spoke any English — his first love was American rap.

"I came to the door / I said it before / I never let the mic magnetizeme no more," K'Naan raps, before saying, "That was Eric B and Rakim[from] Paid in Full. I used to say it just like that. But, of course,I didn't know what 'door' meant."

K'Naan could not be mistaken for an American rapper: For one thing, he has akind of vintage Bohemian look. He says he doesn't think that American rap hasmuch credibility, because even the toughest American neighborhoods aren'tnearly as dangerous as Mogadishu.

"Where rocket-propelled grenades are fired around you on a daily ... aguy bragging on TV talking about how gangster he is?" K'Naan says."For us, it's more a source of entertainment. It's more like a comedy orsomething we watch. Say, 'Oh wow, that's kind of cute of American gangsters.'But it isn't hardcore, it isn't that bad. Let's get things in perspective, youknow?"

Lately, K'Naan has been talking about the Somali pirates who've beenhijacking ships from Western countries off the Somali coast. Because, he says,there's more to that story, too.

                             K’NAAN

Announces New Track Listing for Sophomore Solo Album‘Troubadour’ Set For Release on A&M/ Octone on February 24^th

Mos Def,  Damian “JR Gong” Marley, Chubb Rock,Kirk Hammett of Metallica, Chali 2na and Adam Levine & James Valentine ofMaroon 5 set to Join K’NAAN on ‘Troubadour’

Solo andFestival Tour Dates Set to Kick off in Grand Rapids on February 5^th

 “2009 Artist to Watch” The Los Angeles Times

K-ROCK/ KROQ LosAngeles Adds “If Rap Gets Jealous” into Rotation

New York, January 12, 2008– Reaffirminghis place as one of music’s most compelling new voices, celebrated Hip Hop MC,griot, and singer/ songwriter  K’NAAN has announced the release of hislong-awaited sophomore album, Troubadour,on February 24^th via A&M/ Octone Records. The albumfeatures of slew of unique musical collaborations from a variety of artistsincluding Damian “JR Gong” Marley, Chubb Rock, Mos Def, Kirk Hammett of Metallica, Chali 2na and Adam Levine & James Valentine of Maroon 5.The first single off the album, ”If RapGets Jealous,” was added into rotation on K-ROCK/ KROQ last week. Fresh off his national tour with Matisyahu,K’NAAN has also announced 2009 tour dates that will kick off in early Februaryto support the release of Troubadour(see dates below).

K’NAAN’s debut album, 2005’s  TheDusty Foot Philosopher, left an indelible mark on the hip hop communityand the global music world, and now he returns with an album that inspires andis musically rich with classic beats, novel instrumentation and innovativerhymes. K’NAAN uses his unique voice and authentic style to bring an enormousdose of realness and urgency to the hip-hop world, in the tradition of greatfolk singers and protest songs he carves a new path filled with eloquent andthought-provoking lyrics.  From thedynamic power “ABCs” to the genre bending grooves of “If Rap Gets Jealous” andthe acoustic African folk melodies of “Fire in Freetown,” K’NAAN widens the traditional hip-hop perspective onhis new album expanding boundaries with the combination of hard-hitting rhythmsand lyrics.

Asa child growing up in war-torn Somalia, K’NAAN has seen more violence andtougher streets than any gangster rapper could ever imagine. Escaping on thelast commercial flight out of the country, K’NAAN arrived in North America andhas proven to be not just your average MC, but a voice for change, apeacemaker, 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 fivedifferent continents, recorded and released his debut outing, The Dusty FootPhilosopher, and has had the privilege of sharing the stage – as well asrecording with – artists such as Damian “JR Gong” Marley, Stephen Marley, MosDef, The Roots, Nelly Furtado, Dead Prez, Youssou N’Dour, Amadou and Miriam andmany more. In 2006, K’NAAN took home the JunoAward (Canada’s Grammy) for BestRap Recording and most recently received “Newcomer of the Year” honors at the UK’s BBC Radio 3 Awards.

Someearly reviews on the album have hit with praise coming from media outletsacross the board:

“2009 Artist to Watch” THE LOS ANGELES TIMES

“A fusion of traditionalAfrican folk music and socially conscious, street hardened-hip hop… K’NAAN isset to invigorate a scene burned out on braggadocio and posturing” SPIN MAGAZINE

“3 1/2 Stars” BLENDER MAGAZINE
 

“An artist to watch” NPR

NEW AlbumTrack Listing:

ABC's (Featuring Chubb Rock)

Dreamer

I Come Prepared (Featuring Damian Marley)

15 Minutes Away

Bang Bang (Featuring Adam Levine)

Fire In Freetown

People Like Me

Somalia

America (featuring Mos Def & Chali Tuna)*

Fatima*

If Rap Gets Jealous (Featuring Kirk Hammett)*

Take A Minute

T.I.A.*

Waiving Flag*

*- Denotes New Track

ConfirmedTour Dates for K’NAAN:

2/05                        GrandRapids, MI                        CalvinCollege Fine Arts Center

2/06                        AnnArbor, MI                        MichiganUnion Ballroom

2/08                        Chicago,IL                                    Reggie’sBar and Grill

2/10                        Madison,WI                                    TheAnnex

2/11                        Minneapolis,MN                        CedarCultural

2/13                        Lincoln,NE                                    Universityof Nebraska

2/14                        Denver,CO                                    TheBluebird

2/16                        SanDiego, CA                        SanDiego Sports Arena

2/19                        Garberville,CA                        Toph’sHouse

2/20                        Oakland,CA                                    FoxTheatre

2/21                        LongBeach, CA                        LongBeach Arena

2/24                        Boston,MA                                    TheMiddle East- Upstairs

2/26                        NewYork, NY                        SOB’s

2/27                        Washington,DC                        KennedyCenter- Millenium Stage

2/28                        Baltimore,MD                        Sonar

3/01                        Philadelphia,PA                        WorldCafé

3/04                        Atlanta,GA                                    Vinyl

3/05                        Jacksonville,FL                        JackRabbit’s

3/06                        Orlando,FL                                    Social

3/07                        Miami,FL                                    BicentennialPark

3/09                        Portland,OR                                    DougFir

3/10                        Seattle,WA                                    Neumos

Formore information on K’NAAN, please visit:www.thedustyfoot.com and

www.myspace.com/knaanmusic