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.
My Old Home
K'naan Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
A lot of people ask me how life was then
So here it is
My old home smelled of good birth
Boiled red beans, kernel oil and hand me down poetry
It's brick white-washed walls widowed by first paint
The tin roof top humming songs of promise while time is
The trees had to win
Hugging them, loving them a torturous love
Buggin' when
It was over and done
The round cemented pot kept the rain drops cool
Neighbors and dwellers spatter in the pool
Kids playing football with his hand and sock
We had what we got, and it wasn't a lot
No one knew they were poor
We were all innocent to greeze judgment
The country was combusting with life like a long hibernating volcano
With a long tale of success like J-Lo
Farmers, fishers, fighters, even fools had a place in production
The coastal line was the place of seduction
The coral reef make you daze in reflection
The women walked with grace and perfection
And we just knew we were warriors too
Nothing morbid, its true
We were glorious
Boom!
Then one day it came
Spoiled up a ray like rain
Like oil in a flame, it pained
The heart attack sudden
Odder than eleven
Harder than a punch in the womb
Harder than the lunch you consume
For us, it had a cancerous fume, more lust
Men who made killing hoggies,
Selling prout fully like healthy livestock
It made tides rock with a diligent mock
Confused are the people, infused in the evil
Professed to eject like Jews in the sequel, to win
It came in the morning, with a warning and without
The hurting was a burden, only certain was doubt
A mythical tale, no soul knows well
Liberty went to hell, freedom called for shells
Fierce was the blow, keep your ears to the show
It appears Orwell was right in '84
Had big brother kill Mother in her store
With all of us watching, we didn't lover her anymore
Peep my poem, Mother was my old home
Good winners looted, in my old home
Religion is burned down, in my old home
Kindness is shackled, in my old home
Justice has been raped, in my old home
Murderers hold post, in my old home
The land, bombers, ghosts, in my old home
We got pistols with eyes, corruption and lies
Trusting snakes, and death without breaks
Suspicious new borns live in our horn
Used to the pain, rack bodies not grain
Chopped limbs not trees
Spend lives not wealth
Seek vengeance not truth, the craziest youth
Hoist pain not plans, nigga' fuck your parents
Bandits will beat us down, in my old home
Rumors are law now, in my old home
Sedatives of faith, in my old home
Rapists are praised, in my old home
Demonds dressed well, in my old home
Infants are nailed, in my old home
Spirits are jailed, in my old home
Grudges grow tails, in my old home
High roads of sea in electric Hayden
Outward labor beneath stubborn faith
Our farms produce guilty grub and
Our kids depend on shifty luck, see
Our muse is life for death is old, so
Don't blame me for truth I told, say
Good winners looted, in my old home
Religion is burned down, in my old home
Kindness is shackled, in my old home
Justice has been raped, in my old home
Murderers hold post, in my old home
The land, bombers, ghosts, in my old home
K'naan's "My Old Home" is a reflective song about the memories of his childhood home in Somalia. The song starts off with K'naan describing the smells and sounds of his old home, which included the scent of boiled red beans, kernel oil, and the sound of the tin roof humming with promise. He then goes on to describe the beauty of the natural surroundings, including the trees he loved and the coastal line that was a place of seduction. He paints a picture of an innocent childhood where kids played football with their hands and socks and where no one knew they were poor.
However, the song takes a dramatic turn as K'naan describes the day that everything changed. He speaks of the heart attack that hit his country like oil in a flame, and the sudden feeling of uncertainty that followed. K'naan describes how everything he knew and loved was polluted by the greed and corruption of the men who made killings off of hogging and selling produce that was supposed to be healthy livestock. The country was filled with confusion and evil, and K'naan felt helpless as he watched liberty go to hell and the freedom he once knew replaced with shells. He speaks of the murderers who now hold post, and the fact that justice has been raped in his old home.
K'naan's "My Old Home" is a powerful commentary on the devastating effects of greed and corruption on the people of Somalia. The song highlights the beauty and innocence of his childhood, while also shining a light on the darkness that followed. K'naan's storytelling ability is exceptional, as he paints a vivid picture of both the good and the bad in Somalia.
Line by Line Meaning
My old home smelled of good birth
The scent of boiled red beans, kernel oil, and hand me down poetry filled my old home, reminding me of my heritage and upbringing.
Boiled red beans, kernel oil and hand me down poetry
The foods and literature of my people, passed down through generations, were a major part of my home's identity.
It's brick white-washed walls widowed by first paint
My old home's walls, once white-washed, had been painted over so many times that the original color was barely visible.
The tin roof top humming songs of promise while time is Locked into demonic rhythm with the leaves
The metal roof of my old home made a humming sound that symbolized hope and promise, but at the same time, time seemed to be moving in a chaotic and destructive rhythm.
The trees had to win Hugging them, loving them a torturous love Buggin' when
The trees outside my old home, which I loved and embraced, seemed to be in a constant struggle to survive in their environment, causing me to worry and be anxious for them.
We had what we got, and it wasn't a lot No one knew they were poor We were all innocent to greeze judgment
Although my family and neighbors didn't have a lot, we never thought of ourselves as poor and didn't feel judged by others because of our modest circumstances.
The country was combusting with life like a long hibernating volcano With a long tale of success like J-Lo Farmers, fishers, fighters, even fools had a place in production The coastal line was the place of seduction
My country was once full of life, like a dormant volcano that suddenly erupts, with a diverse range of people and industries contributing to its success. The coast was particularly alluring and beautiful.
Then one day it came Spoiled up a ray like rain Like oil in a flame, it pained The heart attack sudden Odder than eleven Harder than a punch in the womb Harder than the lunch you consume For us, it had a cancerous fume, more lust
Suddenly, something terrible happened to my old home that was even more devastating than a heart attack or a painful memory. It affected us like a poisonous gas and brought immense pain and sorrow.
Men who made killing hoggies Selling prout fully like healthy livestock
Corrupt individuals began to profit off of the exploitation of others, taking advantage of their ignorance and desperation for financial gain.
Confused are the people, infused in the evil Professed to eject like Jews in the sequel, to win
The people were forced to navigate a confusing and immoral landscape, and many felt helpless and oppressed, like Jewish prisoners in WWII.
Murderers hold post, in my old home
The people who had committed terrible acts of violence and injustice had somehow gained power and influence in my old home.
Infants are nailed, in my old home
Even innocent and vulnerable children were not safe from the horrors of my old home, as evidenced by this disturbing image of infants being nailed.
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC
Written by: KELLY, WARSAME
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Jalaludin A. Mohamud.
alot of people ask me how life was then... so here it is
My old home smelled of good birth
Boiled red beans kernal oil and hand me down poetry
It's brick white washed walls widdowed by first paint
The tin roof tops humm in songs of promise while time ends
Locked into demonic rythm with the leaves
The trees had the wind huggin them loving them a torturous love
Bug in wind it was over and done the the rounds ment to pocket
Kept the rain drops cool neighbours dwellers spatter in the pool
Kids playing football with a sand in a sock
We had what we got and it wasn't alot
No one knew they were poor we were all inocent to grieve judgment
The country was combusing with life like a long hybernatin volcano
With a long tale of succes like j-lo farmers, fishers, fighters,
Even fools had a place in production teh coral reefs make your days
In reflection the costal line was the place of seduction
And women walked with grace and perfection
And we just knew we were warriors too nothing worried us too
We were glorious?
[Verse:]
And one day it came
Spoiled the parade like rain
Like oil in a flame it pained
The heart attack sudden
Harder then livin
Harder then a punch in the woom
Harder then the lunch you consume for us
It had a cancerous fume war, lust
Men who made killing hobbiest
Sellin powerfully
Like healthy livestock
It made tides rock
With a diligent mock
Confused with the people
Infused in the evil
(profester) reject
Like jews in the sequal
So when it came in the morning
With a warning and without
The hearding was a burden
Only certain was dealt
A mythical tale
No soul knows well
Liberty went to hell
Freedom caught four shells
Fears was the bloke
Keep your to the show
It apears old will
Was right in 84
Half baked brother
Killed mother in a store
But all of us watching
But they don't love her anymore
[Chorus:]
(peed) my poem
Mother was my old home
Good will is looted
In my old home
Religions is burnt down
In my old home
Kindness is shacklled
In my old home
Justice has been raped
In my old home
Murderers hold post
In my old home
The land vomits ghosts
In my old home
[Verse:]
We got pistols with eyes
Curuption and lies
Trust us snakes
And death without breaks
Suspicious new borns
Live in the horn
We used to teh pain
Rack bodies
Not grain
Chop limbs
Not trees
Spend lies
Not wealth
Seek vengance
Not truth
The craziest youth
Moist pains
Are plans
.nigga fuck your plans
[Chorus:]
Bandits are leaders down
In my old home
Rooms are a [? ]
In my old home
Seditives of faith
In my old home
Rapers are praised
In my old home
Demons dress well
In my old home
Infants are nailed
In my old home
Spirits are jailed
In my old home
Grudges grow tails
In my old home
[Bridge:]
Our roads have seen electric hate and
Our women labour, but need no invadin
Our farms produce giulty grubin
Our kids depend on shifty luck see
Our news is like "for death is all"
Don't blame me for the truth I've told
[Chorus:]
Good will is looted
In my old home
Religions is burnt down
In my old home
Kindness is shacklled
In my old home
Justice has been raped
In my old home
Murderers hold post
In my old home
The land vomits ghosts
In my old home
pashun88
This never fails to make me teary-eyed.
GP Productions
This song really inspired me. I am not from somalia. I love this so much.
sixthSigmaSnowball
Knaan's poetry lifts me out of the now and sets me back down again like a leaf in the breeze as it leaves.
lynx821
K'NAAN has beautiful lyrics, and speaks from his heart, while singing cool shiz...
simretgebrehiwet
just sick.... just like the old somali poets... keep it up bro
Jalaludin A. Mohamud.
alot of people ask me how life was then... so here it is
My old home smelled of good birth
Boiled red beans kernal oil and hand me down poetry
It's brick white washed walls widdowed by first paint
The tin roof tops humm in songs of promise while time ends
Locked into demonic rythm with the leaves
The trees had the wind huggin them loving them a torturous love
Bug in wind it was over and done the the rounds ment to pocket
Kept the rain drops cool neighbours dwellers spatter in the pool
Kids playing football with a sand in a sock
We had what we got and it wasn't alot
No one knew they were poor we were all inocent to grieve judgment
The country was combusing with life like a long hybernatin volcano
With a long tale of succes like j-lo farmers, fishers, fighters,
Even fools had a place in production teh coral reefs make your days
In reflection the costal line was the place of seduction
And women walked with grace and perfection
And we just knew we were warriors too nothing worried us too
We were glorious?
[Verse:]
And one day it came
Spoiled the parade like rain
Like oil in a flame it pained
The heart attack sudden
Harder then livin
Harder then a punch in the woom
Harder then the lunch you consume for us
It had a cancerous fume war, lust
Men who made killing hobbiest
Sellin powerfully
Like healthy livestock
It made tides rock
With a diligent mock
Confused with the people
Infused in the evil
(profester) reject
Like jews in the sequal
So when it came in the morning
With a warning and without
The hearding was a burden
Only certain was dealt
A mythical tale
No soul knows well
Liberty went to hell
Freedom caught four shells
Fears was the bloke
Keep your to the show
It apears old will
Was right in 84
Half baked brother
Killed mother in a store
But all of us watching
But they don't love her anymore
[Chorus:]
(peed) my poem
Mother was my old home
Good will is looted
In my old home
Religions is burnt down
In my old home
Kindness is shacklled
In my old home
Justice has been raped
In my old home
Murderers hold post
In my old home
The land vomits ghosts
In my old home
[Verse:]
We got pistols with eyes
Curuption and lies
Trust us snakes
And death without breaks
Suspicious new borns
Live in the horn
We used to teh pain
Rack bodies
Not grain
Chop limbs
Not trees
Spend lies
Not wealth
Seek vengance
Not truth
The craziest youth
Moist pains
Are plans
.nigga fuck your plans
[Chorus:]
Bandits are leaders down
In my old home
Rooms are a [? ]
In my old home
Seditives of faith
In my old home
Rapers are praised
In my old home
Demons dress well
In my old home
Infants are nailed
In my old home
Spirits are jailed
In my old home
Grudges grow tails
In my old home
[Bridge:]
Our roads have seen electric hate and
Our women labour, but need no invadin
Our farms produce giulty grubin
Our kids depend on shifty luck see
Our news is like "for death is all"
Don't blame me for the truth I've told
[Chorus:]
Good will is looted
In my old home
Religions is burnt down
In my old home
Kindness is shacklled
In my old home
Justice has been raped
In my old home
Murderers hold post
In my old home
The land vomits ghosts
In my old home
Chris Koschel
Amazing lyricist, people can learn from him
Gogi El-Gogi
Best poem I've ever heard.
1231hobbes
What can I say K'naan is just class
Emma Jeannet Goodman
woooowwww, he is a poet indeed. Proudly African always, no matter where I go.