Troubadour - K'NAAN
Troubadour Image
Metascore

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

User Score

Universal acclaim- based on 21 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.
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 11 out of 13
  2. Negative: 0 out of 13
  1. 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. Troubadour, the Somali-born artist's follow-up to his great debut, is a smart fusion of influences.
  3. 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.
  4. The results are usually catchy and interesting.

See all 13 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. 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 one song has disappointed me. I extremely recommend this album. Massively underrated! Expand
  2. AdonisM
    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. You can tell much thought and effort was put into it. I love it. Expand
  3. Nedo
    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. Expand
  4. DanieM
    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. Expand

See all 7 User Reviews