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.
Hoobaale
K'naan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Nee mazhai, naan bhoomi enge vizhunthaalum enthikkolven
Nee iravu, naan vinmeen, nee irukkum vare thaan naan iruppen
Nee alai naan karai enne adithaalum ettrukolven
Nee udal naan nizhal nee vizhavendaam naan vizhuven
Nee kilai naan ilai unnai ottum varaikkum thaan uyirthiruppen
Nee vizhi naan imai unnai serum varaikkum naan thudithiruppen
Nee vaanam naan neelam unnil naanai kalanthiruppen
Nee ennam naan vaarthai nee sollum pozhuthe velippaduven
Nee veyil naan kuyil un varugai paarthu thaan naan isaippen
Nee udai naan idai unnai urangum pozhuthum naan uduthiruppen
Nee pagal naan oli endrum unnai mattum saarndhe naan iruppen
The lyrics of K'naan's song "Hoobaale" are deeply poetic and poignant, expressing the idea of unity between two individuals. The song emphasizes the need to come together, to share the experiences of life with one another, and to support each other through the journey. In the first verse, K'naan beautifully brings out the idea of mutual support and shows his willingness to be there for his partner through thick and thin. He states that even if his partner is a breeze, he will be a tree to provide shade and shelter. K'naan's partner is the rain, and he promises to be the earth that will absorb her, no matter where she falls. K'naan's partner is also the night, and he promises to be the fish that will swim with her until the dawn.
In the second verse, K'naan continues to emphasize the interconnectedness of the two individuals' lives. He promises to be the shadow to his partner's body, the leaf to her tree, and her eyes when she cannot see. He promises to breathe life only for her, to be her sky and ground, and her voice when she cannot speak.
Overall, "Hoobaale" is a beautiful and emotional expression of love and commitment. The song highlights the importance of mutual support and the interconnectedness of two people's lives.
Line by Line Meaning
Nee kaatru, naan maram, yenna sonnaalum thalayaattuven
You are the wind, I am the tree, I'll sway no matter what you say
Nee mazhai, naan bhoomi enge vizhunthaalum enthikkolven
You are the rain, I am the ground, I'll soak you no matter where you fall
Nee iravu, naan vinmeen, nee irukkum vare thaan naan iruppen
You are the night, I am the starfish, I'll be here until you're gone
Nee alai naan karai enne adithaalum ettrukolven
You are the waves, I am the shore, I'll persist no matter how hard you hit
Nee udal naan nizhal nee vizhavendaam naan vizhuven
You are the body, I am the shadow, we don't need you, I'll survive
Nee kilai naan ilai unnai ottum varaikkum thaan uyirthiruppen
You are the branch, I am the leaf, I'll cling to you until the end
Nee vizhi naan imai unnai serum varaikkum naan thudithiruppen
You are the vision, I am the aim, I'll chase you until the end
Nee swaasam naan dheham naan unnai mattum uyirthoda anumathippen
You are the breath, I am the body, I'll give my life for you alone
Nee vaanam naan neelam unnil naanai kalanthiruppen
You are the sky, I am the earth, I'll meet you in the middle
Nee ennam naan vaarthai nee sollum pozhuthe velippaduven
You are the thought, I am the word, I'll complete you when you speak
Nee veyil naan kuyil un varugai paarthu thaan naan isaippen
You are the heat, I am the bird, I'll sing watching your movement
Nee udai naan idai unnai urangum pozhuthum naan uduthiruppen
You are the day, I am the night, I'll stay awake watching you sleep
Nee pagal naan oli endrum unnai mattum saarndhe naan iruppen
You are the day, I am the sound, I'll be with you always
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: KEINAN WARSAME
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@si-hf6hq
I'm Somali 2nd generation and these idiots can't stand us.
Only when their in a bad situation they call us to resolve.
So darling be patient with very backward idiotic cunts.
Frankly I squirm when they cry.
Music and phylogenetic decree is personal taste.
Fuck em.
@Akbalaak
Chorus:
Hobalayow heedhe 11x
How come they only fix the bridge after somebody has fallen 2x
Hobalayow heedhe 2x
How come they only fix the bridge after somebody has fallen
Hobalayow heedhe 2x
How can you turn the deafest ear when its your own brother calling 2x
Hobalayow heedhe 2x
How can you turn the deafest ear when its your own brother calling
Hobalayow heedhe 2x
How can you teach your kids to love when it's killing they're memorizing
Hobalayow heedhe 2x
How can you teach your kids to love when it's killing they're memorizing
Hobalayow heedhe 2x
How can they go to war with terror when it's war that's terrorizing
Hobalayow heedhe 2x
How can they go to war with terror when it's war that's terrorizing
Hobalayow heedhe 2x
Chorus
Hobalayow heedhe 15x
Verse 2
Adunyada han waynida ilmaha loo halgamayaye,
hobalayow heedhe 2x
Hawadana ragba tago dayaxa hoos u soo dayaye
hoobalayow heedhe 2x
Halka ninki hurdee taas ogeen halisti weeyane
hobalayow heedhe 2x
Anagana habenada dhashiyo hilibka moyanee
hobalayow heedhe 2x
Inaa dhiig dhulkena u hurna way haboontahaye
HOBALAYOW HEEDHE 2x
Chorus
Hobalayow Heedhe fades out with music
@bssmmx5363
I think the somali part should be
Hawadana ragbaa "dagoo" dayaxa hoos u soo dayaaye
hoobalayow heedhe 2x
"Dadka" ninkii hurdee taas ogeen halisti weeyane
hoobalayow heedhe 2x
Anagana "haleelada" dhashiyo "hillinka" moyanee
hoobalayow heedhe 2x
instead of
Hawadana ragba tago dayaxa hoos u soo dayaye
hoobalayow heedhe 2x
Halka ninki hurdee taas ogeen halisti weeyane
hobalayow heedhe 2x
Anagana habenada dhashiyo hilibka moyanee
hobalayow heedhe 2x
Inaa dhiig dhulkena u hurna way haboontahaye
HOBALAYOW HEEDHE 2x
@luulmaogi2293
The Somali translation of the verses in Hoobaale K’naan:
Chorus: Hoobaaleyo heedhe. (x2)
O singer tell them.
1) Adunyada hanwaynida ilmaa loo halgamayaaye.
In this big world, the struggle is for the children.
Chorus: Hoobaaleyo heedhe. (x2)
O singer tell them.
2) Hawadana ragba tago dayaxoo susoo dayaaye.
Men have gone above the wind and had a view from the moon.
Chorus: Hoobaaleyo heedhe. (x2)
O singer tell them.
3) Dadka ninki hurdeentaa ogeeyn halisti weeyaane.
O people, the man who does not know sleep is dangerous.
Chorus: Hoobaaleyo heedhe. (x2)
O singer tell them.
4) Anaganaa haleeladha dhashiyo hilibka moyanee.
And did we just give birth to a piece of meat?
Chorus: Hoobaaleyo heedhe. (x2)
O singer tell them.
5) Inaa dhiig dhulkeena u hurnaa wey haboontahaye.
It is good that we bleed for our land.
Chorus: Hoobaaleyo heedhe. (x2)
O singer tell them.
@jessicacollishaw2071
As someone not of Somali descent, or even African, I don't care if it's from the north, the south, the east, or the west. It is beautiful, and suggests that the culture that it is from is equally beautiful. I love all music and listen to music from every country I can get it from. We are all human, and all cultures have a passion for music, no matter their heritage. It is the true unifier. And so, why so much negativity in the posts of such a peaceful song?
@mobayle8508
Peace
@jayemveeaydee
Nice. Listen to “Freddie Aguilar - Anak” it’s one of those foreign songs that spread all over the world because of its song meaning. Its from Philippines.
@si-hf6hq
Correct amundo
@si-hf6hq
I'm Somali 2nd generation and these idiots can't stand us.
Only when their in a bad situation they call us to resolve.
So darling be patient with very backward idiotic cunts.
Frankly I squirm when they cry.
Music and phylogenetic decree is personal taste.
Fuck em.
@TheFreemypeople1
from sudan much respect and love to our somali brothers and sisters may Allah bless them amen.
@ugaassamatar937
Mugtaba Hussien Thank you bro. May Allah bless our noble brothers and sisters from Sudan too.
@sowdasabanddskufanta5tasom247
Mugtaba Hussien we love 2 in aur brothers and sisters in Sudan they are good people I like so much thanks bro
@mobillionblack
May Allah bless Sudan...
@nasrialdarwiishaljidwaaqia6459
Mugtaba Hussien 😍😍😘
We have Great Respekt our Brothers Sudanis they are the best Arab People Sudan People
They are our Hearts
And We are Family
Sudan and Somalia 😍😍😥
May Allah keep them