the struggle

most likely the most 'appropriate' artist to appear at Canada's version of Live 8, K'naan recently put out The Dusty Foot Philosopher, and though I haven't yet heard the whole thing, what I have is outstanding.

when most people hear him for the first time they make a connection to Eminem's nasal vocals (unfortunate), combined with K-os' conciousness and delivery (inevitable). with this, it's hard not to react one way or the other to him, and in my books that makes the mark of a unique artist.

word is his live performances, which mix his music with stories of a sometimes vicious upbringing in Somalia and Harlem, run at a highly emotional level, and I look forward to seeing him soon.

particularly strong is new single stugglin', which was produced in Toronto by the ne and visible here.

unfortunately, sony/bmg is way off the mark on itunes, and none of his stuff is on there yet. but k'naan's own site does have some (lo-fi) audio available. will he achieve the platinum success of k-os? one thing seemingly in common is that neither care either way.