In 2001 K'naan performed in Geneva at the 50th anniversary of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.
In 2005, he performed with DobaCaracol during the Live 8 concert in Barrie, Ontario. His full-length debut album, The Dusty Foot Philosopher, was released in 2005.
His song "Soobax" (pronounced "So-Bah") is now featured in the best selling video game FIFA Football 2006, made by Electronic Arts and he has toured the world with the cup.
K'naan participated in the Breedlove Odyssey Tour with Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Pharoahe Monch and Jean Grae. He also participated in the "Welcome To Jamrock" tour along with Damian Marley.
The Dusty Foot Philosopher received a 2006 Juno Award for Rap Recording of the Year, and was nominated for the inaugural Polaris Music Prize. He also featured in a song by M1, titled "Till We Get There".
The song "In the Beginning" from the album The Dusty Foot Philosopher was featured in the 2008 Comedy "Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay"
He also toured with Stephen Marley on Stephen's "Mind Control" tour.
His latest album "Troubadour" was released in 2009 featuring guests artists such as Damian Marley, Adam Levine, Kirk Hammett, Mos Def, and Chali 2NA.
A remixed version of K'naan's single "Wavin' Flag" was chosen as the Coca-Cola anthem for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.
K'naan won the 2010 Juno Awards for Canada's Artist of the Year and Songwriter of the Year.
Fire In Freetown
K'naan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And I kick and scream but you got me despite it
And I got my pride so I begin to hide it
Like a fire in a free town you begin to lighten it
Aha aha aha
Sidii hogasha roobka
Ah ah aha you shine down upon me
Aha aha aha Sidii hogasha roobka aha aha aha you shine down upon me
By some higher order you keep getting bolder
By god or by country you kill like a soldier
By some widdle you sung little but scream mighty stronger
Like fire in free town you old magic spoiler.
Aha aha aha
Sidii hogasha roobka
Ah ah aha you shine down upon me
Aha aha aha Sidii hogasha roobka aha aha aha you shine down upon me
You place pins in my ribs and ask me to lie down
My pain is your pleasure but pleasure is all mine
You lend me your false ear and I lend you my false lines
Like fire in free town I'm fueled by your gold mine
Aha aha aha
Sidii hogasha roobka
Ah ah aha you shine down upon me
Aha aha aha Sidii hogasha roobka aha aha aha you shine down upon me
She pulled out her match and she burned down my home
Fire fire
She know it to touch me to turn me to stone
Fire fire
She come like a storm and she rained on my lawn
Fire fire
She pulled out her match and she burned down my home
Fire fire
She come like a storm and she rained on my lawn
Fire fire
She know it to touch me she know it I know
Fire fire
She come like a storm and she rained on my lawn
Fire fire
She pulled out her match and she burned down my home
The lyrics of K'naan's "Fire in Freetown" are a powerful commentary on the destructive nature of war and conflict. The lyrics describe the feeling of being caught in the grip of violence and oppression, unable to escape its grasp. The repeated refrain of "Sidii hogasha roobka" (like the light of the sun) serves to highlight the contrast between the darkness of war and the hope that light can bring.
The first verse speaks to the futility of trying to resist the violence and oppression that surrounds us. The singer acknowledges that there is no way to fight it, and that even their pride is not enough to protect them from the destructive forces at work. This verse sets the tone for the rest of the song, which explores the ways in which violence and oppression can take hold and shape our lives.
The second verse delves deeper into the idea of violence as a destructive force. The singer suggests that violence can be fueled by a sense of duty or loyalty, whether to country or to some higher power. However, this duty ultimately leads to destruction and chaos. The line "you kill like a soldier" is particularly poignant, as it highlights the idea that even those who are meant to protect us can become agents of destruction.
The final verse speaks to the personal toll that violence takes on individuals. The singer describes being manipulated and exploited by someone else's greed and desire for power, and how this leads to a sense of betrayal and loss. The repeated refrain of "Fire fire" underscores the sense of devastation and loss that comes from being caught in the crosshairs of war.
Overall, "Fire in Freetown" is a powerful song that speaks to the ways in which violence can shape our lives and our communities. The imagery and repetition in the lyrics create a sense of urgency and intensity that really drives home the message.
Line by Line Meaning
There is no way to write it there is no way to fight it
There's no way to express or fight against the feeling of being trapped.
And I kick and scream but you got me despite it
Despite my struggle, you still have complete control over me.
And I got my pride so I begin to hide it
To protect my pride, I start hiding my true emotions and vulnerability.
Like a fire in a free town you begin to lighten it
Similar to how a fire breaks out in an unexpected place, you are slowly unraveling my hidden emotions.
By some higher order you keep getting bolder
You are becoming more daring and bold as if guided by a higher power.
By god or by country you kill like a soldier
Driven by faith or by patriotism, you are ruthless in achieving your goals like a soldier on a battlefield.
By some widdle you sung little but scream mighty stronger
Through small actions or words, you have an immense impact and influence.
Like fire in free town you old magic spoiler.
You have the power to disrupt and spoil what used to be magical and peaceful, much like how a fire ruins a town.
You place pins in my ribs and ask me to lie down
You inflict pain on me, then demand that I submit and surrender.
My pain is your pleasure but pleasure is all mine
You take pleasure in my suffering, but at the same time, I find pleasure in submitting to you.
You lend me your false ear and I lend you my false lines
You pretend to listen to me, but I also lie to you and say things I don't truly mean to please you.
Like fire in free town I'm fueled by your gold mine
Just like how a fire needs fuel to burn, my actions and emotions are fueled by the attention and validation you give me.
She pulled out her match and she burned down my home
A metaphor for someone who destroys the stability and security in your life.
She come like a storm and she rained on my lawn
Someone who comes into your life abruptly and disrupts everything.
She know it to touch me to turn me to stone
Someone who can easily manipulate you and make you feel numb and emotionless.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: BRIAN WEST, GERALD EATON, KEINAN WARSAME
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@adanmaalim6350
There's no way to write it, there's no way to fight it
And I kick and scream but you got me despite it
And I got my pride so I begin to hide it
Like fire in freetown you begin to light it
Aha, aha, sidii hogasha roobka
Aha, aha, you shine down upon me
Aha, aha, sidii hogasha roobka
Aha, aha, you shine down upon me
By some higher order you keep getting bolder
By God or by country you kill like a soldier
By some widdle you sung little but scream mighty stronger
Like fire in freetown you old magic spoiler
Aha, aha, sidii hogasha roobka
Aha, aha, you shine down upon me
Aha, aha, sidii hogasha roobka
Aha, aha, you shine down upon me
You place pins in my ribs and ask me to lie down
My pain is your pleasure but pleasure is all mine
You lend me your false ear, I lend you my false lines
Like fire in freetown I'm fueled by your gold mine
Aha, aha, sidii hogasha roobka
Aha, aha, you shine down upon me
Aha, aha, sidii hogasha roobka
Aha, aha, you shine down upon me
Aha, aha, sidii hogasha roobka
Aha, aha, you shine down upon me
Aha, aha, sidii hogasha roobka
Aha, aha, you shine down upon me
There's no way to write it, there's no way to fight it
And I kick and scream but you got me despite it
And I got my pride so I begin to fight it
Like fire in freetown you begin to light it
Fire, fire, fire, fire
She pulled out her match and she burned down my home
Fire, fire
She always come find me, she know where I roam
Fire, fire
She know where to touch me to turn me to stone
Fire, fire
She come like a storm and she rained on my lawn
Fire, fire
She know where to touch me to turn me to stone
Fire, fire
She always come find me, she know where I roam
Fire, fire
She pulled out her match and she burned down my home
@Kail1Kain2love2
I love this song. My grandma was in Sierra Leone when the rebels came in, but she left w/ my granpa way before the war became bad. I have a adopted sister who just got reunited with her family (they were separated during the war) they will luv this song.
@YourGirlIsis
WTF WHY IS K'NAAN SO AMAZING?! There's no way I can live with myself if i don't buy his CD. Support great artists like K'naan!
@Somalilander
There is no way to write it there is no way to fight it And I kick and scream but you got me despite it And I got my pride so I begin to hide it Like a fire in a free town you begin to lighten it.. Aha aha aha Sidii hogasha roobka ( like a rain) Ah ah aha you shine down upon me Aha aha aha Sidii hogasha roobka aha aha aha you shine down upon me By some higher order you keep getting bolder By god or by country you kill like a soldier By some widdle you sung little but scream mighty..
@ermygang
u can never get enough of this song.
@Iloveliness
I been a fan of K'naan since 2004~ glad that more people are finally getting familiar with his talent and music!
@bezzatheone
This guy is an inspiration, i love him and EVERY song he's released, not one ive even had to think about, all of them just WOW... Long Live K'naan, keep it up your amazing
@abdulhakimabdela2716
Knaan is so underrated,that deserves a big recognition
@CushiticSomalianMale
The Somali bit says you shine like 'the coming of the rain' - its a rough translation but its a romantic quotation about a woman being as beautiful, in smell and illumination, as when its about to rain. Thank you K'naan for being a teacher about things I never had the pleasure of knowing.
@LotBountyHunter
beautiful music, knaan im proud of him....somali talent!
@juniorjabbi909
k'naan is crazy puts on tha best live shows seriously he talks about real stuff and hes not selling out for sales hes keeping it 100 and still sellin