I'm an East African who grew up right over the border from Somalia and even then, I've never heard anyone say anything about Somalia other than rehashing CNN's point of view. It was always just a "messed up" place and nothing else. Finally this young brother speaks with such passion about the life and people that LIVE there...despite the turmoil and everything else there is LIFE and LOVE and K'Naan does such a phenomenal job getting that across. Listening to his tracks you can feel the pain, the frusteration, the hope...everything. He also acknowledges that just because he's no longer in a war-torn country doesn't automatically mean that life is great, a thought rarely discussed when it comes to refugees. It's often assumed and believed that we've done them all a great huge favor by removing them from their country...and while it's obviously better not to live under the fear of death, there's also the fact that generally people prefer to live in their home surroundings with the people they love and are familiar with. Migration, even to the lands of milk and honey in the west, is a HUGE sacrifice. Bravo K'Naan! This CD is a major contribution to Africa's history and to the masses whose thoughts and feelings are rarely acknowledged in an affirming an unbiased manner. An ESSENTIAL piece to anyone's library!

One of the most engaging, well written albums I've come across in quite some time. K'Naan has been a favourite of mine and I was lucky enough to catch a live performance last year. This album is the next best thing to a live performance.

I had the opportunity to go see him live on July 4th, definitely a talented young artist with a powerful message and some of the best fusion beats to back it up. If only all hip hop were like this...the guy is a poet. Go pick this album up and do yourself a favor. I promise you won't regret it.

this cd takes rap out of the current slump it has been in and brings a new sound that is enerjetic, heartfelt and inventive. As soon as I bought this cd i was immediately hooked by its infectious groove. the mix of world beat, old school flavor and intelligent rhymes yields a potent mix that will not soon be leaving my cd player.

I saw K'naan live last month at a Reggae festival in California (Reggae on the River) and he just blazed the place. Of all the acts at that concert (From Sizzla, Bunny Wailer, Ziggy, Sean Paul etc) he was the only one to get a curtain call. The depth and simplicity of his beat and message makes him a powerful MC. I wrote off Hip Hop a few years ago because of the lack of creativity of the current acts (From 50 cent onwards). K'naan is a breath of fresh air. If you are fan of Hip hop and appreciate the roots of this genre you will enjoy this CD.