Troubadour
by K'NAAN
User Score
8.5

Universal acclaim- based on 29 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 27 out of 29
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 29
  3. Negative: 2 out of 29

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  1. 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 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
  2. 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 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 oneSo 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
  3. Nedo
    Mar 12, 2009
    9
    Excellent album K'Naan takes a left turn form the traditional hip hip lyrics and sounds of today and stays true to his intelligent sounds and style while tying in hip hop with, rock, reggae, and African sounds the result is something that appeals to the true masses I give it a 9 because i believe his best work is yet to come keep doing your thing K'Naan.
  4. 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 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. 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.… Collapse
  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 music. Check out the hook of Waving Flag!
  7. 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 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.
  8. 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 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.

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
74

Generally favorable reviews - based on 13 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 13
  2. Mixed: 2 out of 13
  3. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. 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.
    Read full review
  2. Entertainment Weekly
    75
    His richly detailed rhymes are part of a more pop-centric stew, and the special guests (Mos Def, Damian Marley, Maroon 5's Adam Levine) make the recipe seem a little overcooked.
    Read full review
  3. Filter
    64
    K'Naan is one of the realest cats going, and although Troubadour feels somewhat derivative, you should at least agree when he notes, "It's OK to feel good." [Holiday 2008, p.100]
See all critic reviews »