K’naan

The Dusty Foot Philosopher

Track & Field

Rating: 4/4

Today’s albums don’t seem to hold up against the titles of the past. Most full-lengths fail to keep your attention past the first few catchy singles the artist is usually depending on for sales. Though that can be the norm of today’s music, it is the furthest thing from the truth when discussing K’naan. Like finding a needle in a corny haystack, K’naan’s refreshing album titled The Dusty Foot Philosopher is an explosively creative and energetic offering. Best described as a mixture of Chuck D, Wyclef and Fela Kuti, K’naan’s lyrical swagger and immediacy commands your attention from start to finish. Tackling heavy topics ranging from poverty to terrorism, K’naan, with a scholar’s wit, provokes listeners to re-establish a relationship with their inner humanity all while hypnotizing them with organic melodies from the motherland (Somalia). Cons that exist with this effort are best sought after with a microscope as the album will easily entertain listeners of all levels of musical depth. It’s true that today’s albums may be more “single-driven” rather than comprehensive but with offerings like The Dusty Foot Philosopher, it’s evident that serious listeners still have some light at the end of the tunnel.