K'Naan

Add Date: February 17

Artist: K'Naan

Album: Troubadour

Label: A&M/Octone

Genre: Hip hop

Comments: Born in Mogadishu, the MC K'Naan grew up during the Somali Civil War, then spent time in Harlem before relocating to Toronto. Troubadour, his second album, features guest appearances from Mos Def, Chubb Rock, and Damian Marley. The Source proclaims that K'Naan provides "a refreshing voice in Hip-Hop," while SPIN argues that he's "set to invigorate a scene burned out on braggadocio posturing." Sounds good to me.