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Troubadour
by
Troubadour Image
Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 29 Ratings

  • Summary: The Somalian-born rapper releases his second album, which features Chubb Rock, Damian Marley, Adam Levine (Maroon 5), Kirk Hammett (Metallica), Mos Def, and Chali 2na as guests.

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. MSN Consumer Guide (Robert Christgau)
    91
    After what K'naan has been through, bless him for trying--the ebullience he extracts from a life much tougher than North Americans can know is worthy of soukous, mbaqanga, the highlife of Ghana's most punishing inflationary spiral.
  2. Billboard
    80
    K'Naan's singular take on the parallels between Africa and America is the strongest thread running through this diverse, socially alert and frequently brilliant sophomore disc.
  3. Boston Globe
    80
    Troubadour, the Somali-born artist's follow-up to his great debut, is a smart fusion of influences.
  4. The New York Times
    70
    Those elements ring so true for K’naan that it feels like a distraction when he turns to high-profile guests like the Metallica guitarist Kirk Hammett (on 'If Rap Gets Jealous') and the Maroon 5 singer Adam Levine (on 'Bang Bang').
  5. Blender
    70
    Whether he’s lamenting immigration hassles or imagining himself a depressed American kid fighting in Iraq, this Muslim fan of Biggie and Bruce Lee has a common touch. He’s a universal soldier, not an exotic novelty.
  6. Austin Chronicle
    67
    Like M.I.A.'s two CDs, Troubadour is Westernized but never compromises its heritage.
  7. NOW Magazine
    60
    Some songs work. He makes great use of Ethiopian-sounding jazz samples and M.I.A.-style children’s chants on ABCs, and excels while rapping over some of the album’s otherworldly beats.

See all 13 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 8
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 8
  3. Negative: 0 out of 8
  1. sakshamH
    Nov 15, 2010
    10
    So yeah, after 2 months of spending time with this album, listening each and every song to death, I still love the album. That says all i haveSo yeah, after 2 months of spending time with this album, listening each and every song to death, I still love the album. That says all i have to say about this album. Unlike those 99% rappers who rap about **** this guy raps about life--about miserable life being lived by millions all over the earth. Each and every song brings with it a new story--and its all really well done. Not one song has disappointed me. I extremely recommend this album. Massively underrated!… Expand
  2. AdonisM
    Mar 5, 2009
    10
    Excellent album. This is good music. People need to have an open mind though. I think traditional rap fans will consider his lyrics Excellent album. This is good music. People need to have an open mind though. I think traditional rap fans will consider his lyrics simplistic because he doesn't make obvious attempts to show off with wordplay. Hipsters will think he's too mainstream-sounding (songs are MTV-ish). But overall, it is what it is, a really good rap-pop album that is produced and arranged very well. You can tell much thought and effort was put into it. I love it.… Expand
  4. MikeM
    Feb 25, 2009
    9
    K'naan is breaking into the scene with Troubadour - a refreshing new age hip-hop album in a genre that has largely been full of poor K'naan is breaking into the scene with Troubadour - a refreshing new age hip-hop album in a genre that has largely been full of poor music as of late. He tells a story, he's words have depth and meaning. He is returning artistic merit to hip-hop. This is a must listen for everyone.… Expand
  5. Chew
    Mar 3, 2009
    9
    A great album, some of the best in the conscious rap years.
  6. ScottS
    Mar 1, 2009
    9
    An awesome work - more mature than Dusty Foot, with less anger, some wonderful pop tunes and a great inclusive feeling of redemption via An awesome work - more mature than Dusty Foot, with less anger, some wonderful pop tunes and a great inclusive feeling of redemption via music. Check out the hook of Waving Flag!… Expand
  7. Bringman
    Jan 10, 2016
    9
    ingenious album, with a lot of styles in it, trom the hip-hop, reggae, neo soul and the afrobeat. The 90% of the songs are beautiful, the bestingenious album, with a lot of styles in it, trom the hip-hop, reggae, neo soul and the afrobeat. The 90% of the songs are beautiful, the best are "Wavin' Flag", "If Rap Gets Jealous", "ABCs" and "T.I.A.". I think that this album deserves more popularity, a masterpiece of the modern music… Expand
  8. DanieM
    Feb 28, 2009
    8
    Feel good beats with some thought painted on top via the verses of the Canadian-Somalian rapper K'Naan. The super-fun backgrounds Feel good beats with some thought painted on top via the verses of the Canadian-Somalian rapper K'Naan. The super-fun backgrounds sometimes don't match the rhymes and the anti-rap vibe kind of gets tired after a bit, but he still has fantastic stories to tell. Instantly listenable and smart enough for a few replays.… Expand

See all 8 User Reviews

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