K'Naan: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert

Though his appearance at the NPR Music office qualifies as the first-ever hip-hop Tiny Desk Concert, Somali-born rapper K'naan isn't one to adhere to a single genre. Given that he released a song called "If Rap Gets Jealous" earlier this year, it's no surprise that this show found him infusing his music with the sounds of soul, pop and reggae. With the help of a crack backing band, his three-song set - all drawing from this spring's marvelous Troubadour, proves what we've been saying for months, K'naan has the makings of a global superstar who's as inspiring as his songs are infectious.
Setlist:
"Fatima," "Wavin' Flag," and "Take a Minute."

[@srijeeva]

fatima is such a heartbreaking song. as we go through Covid, makes us realize the fragility that K'naan captures so well in one little girl.

[@jermaine7736]

your religion is wrong

[@austin11monnett]

This guy is one of the best kept secrets in music.

[@Mr-wavy]

Here in 2019 Aug /9 be back in 10 years peace . ✌🏾✌🏾

[@21978027737032]

where you going bro???

[@killdalamb3357]

Henok Tesfay 😂

[@lucasbentley3589]

This version of Fatima is so much better than the version on the album

[@318GrandMan]

I prefer the album version but either way it always hits DEEP

[@johanna9358]

I used to watch this video so many times with my mom when I was younger and I still love his songs. At that time I didn’t understand what he was singing but now they seem even more impactful

[@autumncieslak7610]

This!!! I cried to this music as a adult bc how powerful it is and a child I just vibed

[@djsltx4378]

I 1st saw him on the Austin City Limits show and was blown away. He and his band put on an amazing show. Been a fan ever since. He is a true poet.

[@lukki7ster]

here in 2020 yes African Canadian. I miss k'naan. I just got chills when they did "Waving Flag"

[@kevinquilang9887]

What happened to this man, I was only in elementary school when waving flag came out. That was 9 years ago man time flies

[@Ibrahim-km9mu]

He just won a Grammy he's still rockin

[@IsahSamad-ez6tl]

So underrated wish you keep giving more of all dis love you from Nigeria

[@abdirizaknur8828]

Knaan the realest ever! There is no doubt! Gives you the straight trueth that many hide! Soo talented yet underestemet.

[@stevenkopp7140]

Beautiful! This is what music is supposed to do is move you. What an inspiring and powerful performance. Bravo!

[@si-hf6hq]

Copy that.

[@ThreeDollarHope]

WoW. I saw him in Baltimore on the tour he was describing. 50 shows in 70 days? That's incredible. The energy he and the band brought to each song in concert was amazing and electrifying. It surpassed all of my expectations, and I can say the quality was just as high as the studio album. His trumpet player on Fatimah killed, too bad he didn't come for this one.

[@einstein8833]

It's funny how songs like waving flag make sense once we grow and start looking at things differently

[@KemarYack]

Goosebumps from 0:00 to 13:36

[@TomasKarmelo]

I lovin' this Tiny Desk Concert! It shows how REAL and talented K'Naan and his crew are! This is visceral music at it's best!

[@PapagaBlessGH]

2022, who's still here?

[@MrBeav1982]

Hello from the future.

[@PapagaBlessGH]

bless you@@MrBeav1982

[@rabonour]

Fatima rips me to shreds every time I listen to it.

[@cephasize]

K'naan is a genius.. what a talent

[@TheNightwatchman]

Somehow I missed this performance until now. Glad I found it. I've been listening to K'Naan for years. He's awesome.

[@yenoboho]

Your talent is a gift from God to the world. Appreciate you.

[@moosesnWoop]

Legend! Waving Flag was THE ANTHEM for 2010!!!

[@Raymond_Burrows000]

Yup that and Strong Will Continue by Nas and Damian Marley

[@rahatkurd6018]

some painfully awkward camera work in this video, but K'naan's spirited songwriting endures in 2020.

[@m_n__e_e_.]

This performance made such an impact on my life. Like wow I forgot about it, but came back and remembered how much I used to listen to it

[@camilpizarro]

omg!! HIS VOICE , AT THE MOMENT HE STARTED TO SING.. MAKE MY EYES CRY

[@seanbarry1767]

Dope. Miss k'naan where he been at?

[@LotusFlyer]

To this day we still don't know. I hope he's okay.

[@milesrideout4765]

@@LotusFlyer check his twitter he is still active. i wish he would make more music

[@DrNanite]

K'naan gives me faith in humanity

[@AmberGaiamaFlows]

a great message. we are all blessed to hear such truth in this crazy beautiful world. thanks guys.

[@strifelord5239]

I hold Troubador just one level below the Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, because without Miseducation, there is no Troubador. A truly underappreciated gem. Fatima is one of the best unreleased singles of all time.

[@bikocyko]

so real, clean and authentic sounding. love it!!!! ENOUGH of overproducing music!!!!

[@blaiseb87]

beautiful poetry in music. K naan is just so real

[@SambosBanjo]

It's that feeling when you think you found an awesome new artist only to discover that the video was uploaded 3 years ago. Love this guy

[@sceglierei]

Cannot like this enough. K'naan is amazing enough to just listen to, but is even more incredible live. Certainly one of the best Tiny Desk Concerts NPR's had!

[@tobypalmore9]

Loving their sound and songwriting

[@OMrsWilson4]

Great Job K'naan! Love your music &message! God Bless

[@kimdome3]

I lost it after 7 minutes, lost like whooping and hollerin lost it, what a great word smith and beautiful interaction between musicians.

[@ccsunchild]

smiling and crying at the same time.....this is so good!

[@420LP78]

Wow, over three years later and still just as good, maybe even better, now that we know how far he did go, this performance seems scary good.

[@dianedoubleu]

this is awesome...can't stop listening to it

[@jimmyport]

This guy is great live....and his lyrics are so powerful...

[@tcnolan77]

I love this! Such talent and heart.

[@Tandy2000HD]

Gorgeous set, glad I could hear this performance.

[@Areyouinhere]

It seems much meaning and thought was put toward these songs, plus the melody of the music is unique and uplifting. Definitely fun to listen to.

[@ChrisCommisso]

This is real music & real talent!!!!

[@BenWannaBee]

Must say that NPR is amazing. The type of artists brought in, the setting, and making it available in various mediums....all first class. Keep it up NPR. Thanks!

[@somboyalqa8936]

Hi

[@kayo5011]

A decade later,4.5 millions subs later and some of the greatest artists have performed on this platform

[@si-hf6hq]

Secret are better, Great artists don't need a bunch ov tossers, shaking their unclean. Just the folk on this medium. Good on ya☝🏾

[@G3OSPH3R3_George_Costa]

thank you....he speaks to all hearts!

[@ghostie7790]

This is such poetry.. A real artist saying what he needs to say.

[@MimiGunz]

So beautiful

[@gedztujago220592]

the best npr Tiny Desk Concert !!

[@magoons41]

A great gift to Canada.

[@emcmillan]

so amazing, I don't want to listen to anything but this video from here on out

[@maxieyellowbobpants]

Danggg I NEED TO SEE K'NAAN LIVE!!! THAT IS MY DREAM!!!!

Fatima definitely made me cry.

[@rush4242]

Amazing performance

[@anonymousone9699]

Love Fatima. I just wanna sit down with him and listen to all his stories.

[@abdirahmanfarah1629]

Thanks you We tell our people

[@paulsubzak]

This is the ultimate gift. K'naan is my hero.

[@bdiddyp]

This is rap, this is what rap is about, this is how all rap should be

[@gabrielleforbes1349]

Who’s watching in 2021!!🥳

[@TheBulletPoet]

Fatima, Fatima I'm in America I make rhymes and I make them delicate You would have liked the parks in Connecticut You would have said I'm working too hard again. ----am i the only one crying?------------------

[@JimmyChiffels]

Love this

[@Thefriscojr]

this gives me the shivers, the good shivers

[@arreechung]

@k’naan please come back and make more music.

[@bravo4u22000]

Wow...this is so good.

[@intheekeyofcrime]

@KemarYack i felt goose bumps too. i dont normally listen to newer music but i was feeling it. much love to africa too!

[@Kay-si6if]

lol wow I didn’t know Tiny Desk Cincert been around for soo long!! Humble beginnings

[@kest1969]

Super sweet!

[@rollingstoned629]

This is awesome!!!!

[@JaredDoesEverythin]

Grew up to this, much love

[@vw8856]

THIS AND WAVING FLAG WERE MY JAMS BACK IN WHAT, 09? Had 2 speakers, a little sub + a short phone cord and the red/yellow cord. The good ol days!

[@libanliban85]

yeah god bless you my dearest

[@Ceridwen58]

Beautiful..especially Fatima

[@corbythoe6051]

this dude has crazy word play. Global sensation in the making

[@mamanzanares]

this is soo good. first song is epic.

[@KARA.LupinHold]

We need album now 😭😭

[@ewamaalon]

Dude u gat talent and energy//kip it up Dawg

[@ronanthem]

Very talented group.....you guys always deliver the goods :D

[@somboyalqa8936]

Hi

[@libanliban85]

i love you k'naan long time no see

[@j1j1c1]

@TheNickthequik i had to click on your link 3 times before i figured out what u were talking about, i was expecting a radical turn of happiness in the music. finally i noticed that amazing black smile. makes me smile every time. just like a kid ahah

[@mspsfs1]

Just sing, gorgeous. Beautiful sing song lyrics, wish there was more singing instead of the rap. Very talented, all of you! And thank you for sharing your gift.

[@Whatsthedealman]

These guys touch my

[@rochellerozario7131]

thank you

[@taasinbinhossainalvi9173]

His voice is a vibe

[@octaviodorantes6028]

Bello...

[@rodfriesen4370]

Just had a lady named Fatima call me. I told her about this song. Tragic beautiful song!!!

[@xheadoex]

Beautiful poetry

[@kahlilc]

This is great stuff.

[@OlympusMons23]

Some good vibes goin on in that room.

[@samalweihe495]

I love this

[@joytato]

still hits good.

[@Derek1G]

Extraordinary.

[@rochellerozario7131]

why did this make me cry

[@imatreyu]

K'NAAN!! Thank you NPR!

[@GagnezVizz]

I really really really like this... -G

[@yansland]

Nice! they really know what they are doing!!!!

[@PatFreakinRickTV]

Keyboard dude looks like he could kick some major ass.

[@kreativenarciso4199]

King Dingaling hahaha. trolls just don't try any more these days I tell ya! anyway, good artist, glad to have a listen :)

[@RyanConklin]

Deebo

[@SuperQman1234]

Npr music is the best music ever

[@giovannif23]

I wish all music could be live...

[@WeirdGirlGaminguk]

love this

[@libanliban85]

k'naan you feel shy maybe in this song lol and i love your face on this song you laughing more that's why i love it

[@luke26126]

the first song is amazing