Your assignment:
1. Read the following mini-biography on rapper K'naan.
2. Watch his music video and read the lyrics to Wavin' Flag.
3. Answer these questions in the comment box below.
1. Is K'naan an activist? Why?
2. How do you feel after listening to Wavin' Flag?
3. Knowing what you do about his childhood, why do you think he wrote this song?
Who is K'naan?
K'naan was born in Somalia. He spent his childhood in Mogadishu and lived there during the Somali Civil War, which began in 1991. He spent the early years of his life listening to the hip-hop records sent to him from America by his father, who had left Somalia earlier.When he was 13, K'naan, his mother, and his three siblings, older brother, Liban, and Sagal left their homeland and joined relatives in New York City, where he stayed briefly before moving to Canada where his family settled in the Rexdale neighborhood of Toronto. There, K'naan began learning English, partly by listening to hip hop albums. Dispite not knowing English, K'naan taught himself hip-hop and rap dictation, copying the lyrucs and style phonetically. He then also began rapping. While growing up in Rexdale, K'naan lost many friends to murder, suicide, prison and deportation. Much of K'naan's music talks about the situation in his homeland of Somalia and calling for an end to violence and bloodshed.
K’naan has engaged in social activism. In 2011, he became a co-spokesman with Bono to raise awareness of the 2011 Eastern Africa drought. Also teaming up with close associate Sol Guy, K'naan performed various concerts for the cause.K’naan has also been active in promoting the Canadian Bill C-393 to help increase medical assistance to countries in Africa. He teamed up with James Orbinski, a Canadian humanitarian physician and co-founder of Dignitas International.
Taken from MTV
http://www.mtv.com/music/artist/k_naan/artist.jhtml#biographyEnd
1. Is K'naan an activist? Why? yes he is because he's talking about what went on in africa and how its bad he also donates to the medical care in africa.
ReplyDelete2. How do you feel after listening to Wavin' Flag? I feel like hes talking about him growing up.
3. Knowing what you do about his childhood, why do you think he wrote this song? I think he wrote this because he had to struggle as a child
-Angelo Lucatorto
1. K'naan is a activist because he wants someone to help him with this drought in Africa.
ReplyDelete2. I feel that I should try to help him and spread the word of the drought in Africa and how it effects the children there.
3. He wrote this song to show people what is happening in Africa and to get people to help him.He is trying to spread the word through music which almost everyone in the world listens to.
1. Yes K'naan is an activist. He is an activist because in his music he talks about his homeland and putting the end of violence and bloodshed. He also raised awareness for the 2011 Eastern Africa drought and he promoted the Canada bill c-939 to help increase medical assistance to countries in Africa.
ReplyDelete2. After listening to the Wavin' Flag i feel that its always good to help out in your country or any country that is struggling like what Africa went through with the drought and how it effected children.
3. I think he wrote this song for people who were or now struggling in their country or similar to what happened to him in his homeland and tell them when you patiently wait to get out of what you are going through, you tell yourself "when i get older, i will be stronger just like a wavin' flag." He wants people to know that they are not alone and to be strong.
-Alexandria R. Kishore
1. Yes K'naan is an activist because he talks about stopping the war and violence in his country. He been active in promoting the Canadian Bill C-393 to help increase medical assistance to countries in Africa.
Delete2. After listening to the song, "Wavin' Flag", this song just wants me to help him and let everyone know about him and the struggle in Africa. It just wants me to be the one sanding out and it wants me to also fight for freedom in his country because a lot of lives are being lost and children are becoming soldiers and doing drugs.
3. He wrote this song because he wants people to help him support his country and end the war and violence. He just wants peace and violence.
1) I do believe he is a activist because he uses his experience and his homeland to his advantage. He has raised awareness to medical assistance and droughts. Americans or anyone who have not witnessed the corrupt African way of life, can not fathom the immensity of the situation. What better person can be an advocate for Africa then someone from there!
ReplyDelete2)Wavin Flag is a nice song. It makes me feel inspired to help out.
3)In a way, I believe this song is a way of advocating. It tells there struggle and how far he has come. It motivates people to be strong no matter what they face.
1.K'naan an activist because he is talking about every thing that's happening in Africa
ReplyDelete2.listening to Wavin' Flag made me feel that when i get older i will be stronger
3. i thing he wrote this song because he was trying to tell the world what is happening in Africa and get help to stop it. i think k'naan also wrote this song to tell people strong and free like a wavin flag
- rohan clarke
1. K'naan is an activist because he let's people know through his music about the problems that he had and people are still having in Africa. He wants more people to help and he is doing something about it by spreading his ideas to other people. He also helps out on his own.
ReplyDelete2. After listening to the song,I think that everyone should try and help out people who they know are going through a hard time and try and spread their ideas like k'naan
3. I think he wrote this song because he went through a lot as a child and he wants people to help the children and people who are still going through it because even though he got out there are many people who still live there and need help.
1)yes k'naan is an activist . He is an activist for trying to stop the war in Somalia that is ruining his country.
ReplyDelete2) after watching this video I feel that he is not ashamed of where he comes from. I also feel that he tries to give people hope. Saying that one day it will all be over.
3)I think he wrote this song to give people hoe and to bring attention to what's going on in Somalia.
syteria perminter
ReplyDelete1. knaan is an activist because he tells his story to others through his music and he wants us to help the people in africa because he sees what is going on in his country and something needs to be done about it.
2. after listening to the song i think that he has been through alot and people all around should help others out because anyone can make a diffrence.
3. i think he wrote this song because he was expressing his feelings through it.
1) I believe he is an activist. Just reading about his background and how far he went is amazing. According to the biography he is a social activist. He helped raise awarness on the 2011 Eastern Africa drought. He promotes the Canadian bill C-393 to help increase medical assistance to countries in Africa.
ReplyDelete2) I feel inspired after listening to this song. It is a really motivating song.
3) I think he wrote this song to tell people that no matter how bad your life has been there is always hope for it to be better.
Harley Ryan
- K'naan is an activist because he talks about what goes on in africa.
ReplyDelete-After listening to this song, it makes me think about how people shouldn't give up fighting to make a difference. & to help out and spread his story.
- I think he wrote this song to put all the emotions and words into a song then rather just saying it. Listening to the song and reading the lyrics tells you alot about what has happened and what he goes through.
1. Yes, K'naan is an activist, he was a co-spokesman to help raise awareness of the 2011 east Africa drought, and he also was active in the Canadian bill C-393.
ReplyDelete2. The song it made me feel inspired.
3. He wrote this song to express how he felt about the Somali civil war, and about how he felt after he lost many of his friends. It was about how after everything that he went through as a child, he would grow up and be stronger and free.
-Janel Russell
1) Yes, i believe K'naan is an activist because in the song he talks about the hardships he faced growing up in Somalia. Then he goes on to say how he wants to help when he gets older. which he does when he becomes a speaker for Bono.
ReplyDelete2) When i listened to this song it made me realize that my life isn't bad at all and that i should start trying to help others around me.
3) knowing that K'Naan grew up in such a rough environment with a raging civil war happening around him, I can understand why he wrote this song. K'Naan just wants peace to come to him and where he grew up.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete1. K'naan is an activist because he tries to help his people that are struggling going through the same thing that he went through, so he decided to become a spokesmen for bono to help awareness of his country.
ReplyDelete2. I have heard this song once before , It is an inspiring song,it speaks about his struggle and it makes you want to help your people.
3. I think he wrote this song , to inspire others , and to let people know to be strong for their country , & soon you will be free .
-Allea Green
K'naan is a activist because wants to help with the drought in Africa.
ReplyDeletethis song makes me want to help people in need
i think he wrote this song to shed light on the real issues that need to be adressed in Somalia
Calvin Munroe
ReplyDeleteK'naan is an activist because he helped raised awareness on the east africa drought in 2011. He doesn't want his people to go through the same thing he did as a child.
After reading the lyrics to this song it made me realize that he always kept his head high in his lowest moments
I have reason to believe that he wrote his song to show people that you can always become successful no matter what your childhood was like
1. I believe that K'naan is an activist because in the second paragraph it states he has involved himself in social activism. He became a spokesperson for Bono to raise awareness for the 2011 drought, hes been active in promoting the Canadian bill to help increase medical assistance in countries in Africa and so on.
ReplyDelete2. After listening to 'Amazing Flag' I feel like hes saying hes has made his way out of such a hard country to live in but he has not forgotten where he came from and will intend to change things, I feel that hes trying to make a change. slowly but surely.
3. I think K'naan wrote this song because he wants too let people know about the hardships he has faced, he wants people to understand that he has finally come out of a bad place and although hes out he hasn't forgotten anything, and will make a change for freedom.
-Briana Walker
Molita Mclean
ReplyDelete1) Yes K'naan is an activist. K'naan is trying to help people who are struggling and that went threw the same thing that he went through. K'naan becomes a spokesman for Bono people to help his country.
2) After listening to the song it made me feel bad for other people that are struggling. It also made me thankful for my life and sometimes it wont hurt helping other people.
3) K'naan wrote the song to express how he felt. He was basically saying no matter how much you been threw there's always a chance you can become something better.
Rico J. Lumaban
ReplyDelete1. K'naan is an activist because in his brief biography it explains to us his involvement in social activism. He uses his sources as a known artist to help do what he can to raise awareness about the 2011 drought in Africa and promotes the passing of a Canadian bill to increase medical assistance to countries residing in Africa. Also, he uses his music as a way of conveying messages of what goes on around the world and to inspire people to be better and help.
2. After hearing his song Wavin' Flag i don't feel much of anything, but i can appreciate what he's trying to tell us. However, i too would hope one day what he said in his song will be true for all people.
3. I believe he wrote this song just to get people to understand what goes on around the world, spread the word. He knows how many other people go through it, some worse, so he wants people to have a mind for it. Hoping, one day we'll all come together in efforts to make our world a better one as a whole.
Basil Kuriakose
ReplyDelete1)Yes K'naan is an activist because as we read from the biography, he has devoted a portion of his life to help his homeland such as preforming various concerts for the cause and promoting to increase medical assistance for countries in Africa. His childhood is the inspiration for him to become an activist.
2)Wavin' Flag felt like an inspirational song because it talk the story of his childhood. "Out of the darkness, I came the farthest" , he is talking about how he have achieved his goal. Although he had to fight many battles and struggle but he never gave up faith.
3)I believe that K'naan wrote this song to express his hardships and struggles he went through to become what he is today. He wrote the song to inspire the listeners and teach them that life could not be kindest, whatever struggles we go through never loose faith and fight for your dream.
1. yes k'naan is an activst he want us to think that we have some hope for the africa
ReplyDelete2.listing to this sing feels like there is still hard times africa and we have to help
3.k'naan have a bad life and wants to help chanes things in his homeland.
dameek bristole
K'naan is an activist because he helped raised awareness on the east africa drought in 2011.
ReplyDeletehow do i feel after listening to weavin flag i whanted to ccry.
I believe he wrote this song to try to touch other people.
Malik Pierrot
ReplyDelete1. K'naan is definitely an activist because he went out of his way to raise awareness about the drought in east Africa.
2. Wavin' Flag is a great song which inspires me to do good and help people in general.
3. I feel K'naan wrote this song to explain to people what he went through growing up and how he said became a better person through everything.
Jasmine Lindo
ReplyDelete1. K'naan is activist because, he raised awareness or the eastern african drought. Also promoted the Canadian Bill C-393 to help increase medical assistance to countries in Africa.
2. The song made me understand his life from his point on view. Just like any song it expresses a time in his life that he wants to share with others.
3. Based on his childhood he wrote the song to tell the story of his life and others
Malike Richards
ReplyDelete1)K'naan is an activist because in the mini brography it said that he has involved himself in social activism. He became a spokesperson for Bono to raise awareness for the 2011 drought, and hes been active in promoting the Canadian bill C-393 to help increase medical assistance to countries in Africa.
2)After listening to Wavin' Flag i feel that everyone should be proud of where they come from.You should represent no matter how poor or down your country may be.
3)Knowing what i do about K'NAAN childhood i think he wrote Wavin' Flag to basically tell his story about where he came from and what he had to go through when he was little.Not being able to eat,not having an education,etc.
1.I believe K'naan is an activist because medical assistance (Canadian Bill C-393) to countries in Africa is an important thing because if one doesn't get the medical help they need they will die of course and when the world knows about a struggling country they usually do their very best to help. He also raised awareness to the 2011 Eastern African Drought.
ReplyDelete2. After listening to the song, I can say that I know about his early life and his perspective on life in general. It was very detailed about what is going on in the world right now.
3. I think he wrote this song to show, not just tell, the rest of the world about his hometown, about his struggle growing up, and just his perspective on life in general,and the way it really is.
- Tatiyanna Islar
ReplyDelete1) Yes ,K'naan is an activist becasue he uses his music to tell his story & reach out to those who can help him .He became a spokesperson for the 2011 drought .He also promotes the canadian bill C-393 to help increase medical assistance .
2) After listening to "Wavin' Flag" it made me think about his struggle & how he's trying to give his people confidence to know it'll be over soon .It gives people hope & well as awareness to whats going on in Somalia .
3) I think he wrote this song to express all the hardships he endured throughout his childhood .He wanted express to those who can contribute to the cause about all the violence & turmoil in Somalia .All he wants is PEACE !
Janelle Castro
ReplyDelete1) Yes,I believe K'naan is an activist. I believe this because he took the struggles he went through and life and tried to make a change. It states that K’naan associated in activism. K'naan became a co-spokesman with Bono to raise awareness of the 2011 Eastern Africa drought. He also used his music to spread awareness by having concerts. He didn't just take his struggle and bury it,he wanted to be heard. K'naan also helped with the Canadian Bill C-39. Being an activist is trying to make a difference and I feel he did that through his music.
2)After listening to "Wavin' Flag" it made me feel that nothing is promised but just because it didn't come true for him doesn't mean he can't try and help others. It makes me feel that no matter the situation you should try and make a change.
3)I believe K'naan wrote this song because through all his struggle in life he managed to still have a talent and overcome the negative. Making a song is what he liked to do and spreading a message through that and raising awareness was the perfect way to tell his story.
1)K'Naan is an activist because he has raised Awareness, he wants people all over the world to know that there's hope on Africa
ReplyDelete2) after hearing this song I could understand what he's trying to tell us. He's telling us what his past life was.Also with hard work he achieved his goal.
3)He write the song to tell people his life story and to not give up on life.He has become a stronger person
1. I think K'aan is an activist because he made it know what people are going though in Africa drought also it state that he's an activist also.
ReplyDelete2. After hearing the song I think it's important reason to be aware pay more attention onto the world itself.
3. He wrote this to show the world that it's chaos going throughout his country and the world and saying you may be in struggles but you can get out of it only if you believe in yourself.
Shemoore Preston
1.Yes K'naan is an activist because he talks about stopping the war and violence in his country.
ReplyDelete2.After listening to the song it made me feel bad for other people that are struggling.
3.I think he wrote this song to put all the emotions and words into a song then rather just saying it.
Joseph Muller
ReplyDeletei think he is an activist, because he joined with bono to make people aware of the eastern Africa drought.he as also been promoting the Canadian bill for more medical assistance in africa.
After hearing the song "Wavin' Flag" it feels like its telling me to not give up and after a while good things will happen
i think he wrote this song to show people that he has been threw hell but since he never gave up he finally became free. so hes just trying to tell people dont give up.
chantal byfield
ReplyDelete1. Is K'naan an activist? Why?
i believe k'naan is an activist because he did a activity and talked about what he believed in and how he wanted it to stop. People who see something and do something about it are always activist because they chose to get involved.
2. How do you feel after listening to Wavin' Flag?
after listening to his song i thought about the movie we watched today. It made me realize that k'naan is strong because no matter how bad it got he would still try harder. After a while it will get better.
3. Knowing what you do about his childhood, why do you think he wrote this song?
He wrote this song because he been through so much in his life and he seen alot. He has lost alot of family and friends to violence.
1. Is K'naan an activist? Why?
ReplyDelete-Yes, I think K'naan is an activist. I believe he is an activist because, he allowed people all over to know what was going on in his country through the lyrics of his song.
2. How do you feel after listening to Wavin' Flag?
-After listening to "Wavin' Flag" I feel proud. I feel proud that someone is actually looking for change.
3. Knowing what you do about his childhood, why do you think he wrote this song?
-I think K'naan wrote this song to express what he's seen and felt growing up. Dealing with such things can be very traumatizing and hurtful, especially being at such a young age. I never really listened to the song to it's full meaning but this hw has helped me to understand and see another side of a music artists I had not known so much about.
1)k'naan is an activist because he lost alot of his friends to murder, suicide, deportation and being sent to prison.
ReplyDelete2) after lisening to the song, I feel like everyone stands by and just lets what happens happens and that if people experienced what was going on they would see how they take everything for granted.
3) i think he wrote the song because he wants people to understand what he ans his loved onces have been though
Jonathan Jerome
ReplyDelete1)Yes,K'naan is an activist.He is an activist because he is fighting too put an end too the violence in his country.He also raised awareness about the drought in Africa in 2011.He does these things through his music.
2)Listening too waving flag makes you think about how you shouldn't give up because it will get better soon.
3)I think he wroth this song too explain his struggles and what he went through.He also wrote it too show that you shouldn't give up because things will get better.
yes he is an actavist because through the lyrics in his songs he gives awareness of things going on in africa such as war.
ReplyDeleteafter listening to the song it shows how people throughout different ways are showing actavism.after listening to the song wavin flag it makes me wanna step up for my country through a gift i have.
I think he wrote this song because he experienced things first hand he has images of things that happened.
Christal Harroo
ReplyDelete1)Yes I do believe K'naan is an activist because after seeing his country Somalia go through war and after seeing his friends get murdered, be imprisoned,commit suicide,and get deported he decided to take action and make a change.He promoted the Canadian Bill to help increase medical assistance in Africa.
2)Ive heard this song numerous of times because ive watched the world cup in 2010 and they used it as the theme song.After hearing it i really feel motivated and immediately have a positive attitude. The lyrics are very powerful.A waving flag in general represents to me confidence,independence,and willingness so thats exactly how I feel after hearing it.
3)I think he wrote this song for his country Somalia.I think he was trying to reveal the countries struggles and make them come out of the darkness.I also think he wrote this song to bring a sense of unity and happiness to our world of problems.
1. I feel K'naan is very much an activist because he is trying to help his country of Somalia by using his music to send a message and it describes it very much in his lyrics.
ReplyDelete2. After listening to this song i felt like he was definitely getting his message out there talking about some of his memories growing up in Somalia and what he had to go through.
3. I think he wrote this song to let people know how hard it is to grow up in Somalia and to get the word out that they're dealing with hard times.
Tejwantie Ramdial
ReplyDelete1) K'naan is an activist because he uses his music to get his word about Africa out. He wants the violence to stop. He also teams up with people such as Bono and Sol Guy to raise awareness and money for differnt issues in africa. In his song he talks about the stuggles, africans face and he says they need freedom.
2) After listening to this song it makes me think of hope. It shows no matter how hard things can get, hope is always there and there still is good in people. You just have to wait, and see what happens. It shows that people like K'naan are trying to help these people.
3)I think he wrote this song because as a child he grew up during the Somali Civil War. He experienced the violence first hand. He knows what these people are going through, so he wants to help them. He wants them to be free.
Brittany jean-Lubin
ReplyDelete1 i think k'naan is an activist. the reason is because after seeing his country be torn by violence & war he decided to take a stand and make change
2this song makes me feel like you van accomplish alot. and also freedom . because of the wavin' of the flag symbolizes that.
3 this song was an inspiration for other children in his situation, because he did obsereve this action up close
1) Is K'naan an activist? Why? i feel that k'naan is in activist because he fights for his country through his music.the Reason why i state this is because he spoke about Somalia's struggles through his music :D
ReplyDelete2)After listening to this song i felt like he was definitely getting his message out there talking about some of his memories growing up in Somalia and what he had to go through.:D
3) the reason why he wrote the song is because he want to show people that live in somalia that one day things will change and the country and it will get better.so basically he is encourage them to keep having hope in somalia and that it will change. :D
Alize Cruz
ReplyDelete2) the song really touched my heart, I thought it was nice
3) I think he wrote this song to show all the issues and problems in Africa but no matter how hard times got he reminds people to stay strong
1. K'naan was an activist because he raised awareness and he helped pass the Canadian Bill to help increase medical assistance.
ReplyDelete2.I think he is trying to give people hope, saying that the day they'll be free is not far away
3.I think he wrote the song to inform people about the hard times he went through while growing up in Africa
1. K'naan is an activist because he is trying to prevent medical problems and drought in his homeland of africa . He alao helps on trying to stop the violence . He aslo donatea money to help the medical care in africa
ReplyDelete2. After listening to wavin flag i feel like he is speaking about how he grew up and the complications that he faced .
3. I think he wrote this to express his feelings and ask people if they can help
Adrianna wilson
sdfghjkol
ReplyDeleteyes he is an actavist because through the lyrics in his songs he gives awareness of things going on in africa such as war.
ReplyDeletefirst he struggle and he want to have change
1)i feel K'naan is an activist, he saw something that needed to change, something he felt very strongly about and chose to fight against for his cause through his .
ReplyDelete2) ofcourse the song is getting his message out there, it was recognized by mtv. it was a really beautiful song that deserves to be heard.
3)i think he wrote this song to show people his personal life experiences in somalia and how hard it was sometimes for him
Brian Franklyn
He is not an activist because he wants to end violence nd bloodshed but all he did was schedule concerts .. NOT ACTIVISM
ReplyDelete2) I FEEL LIKE HE SHOULD OF WROTE BETTER LYRICS I DONT LIKE HIS SONG AT ALL
3)He only wrote this song to be like every other rapper and tell their little life story through a rap .
I think he is an activist because he tried to raise awareness about the drought in Africa for everyone to know and help
ReplyDeleteI think he wrote this song because when he was growing up he lost alot of his friends to murders , suicides prison .
~Dominique Crandell
1.k'naan was an activist because he grew up with a tough life and when he got older he started to make it better by rapping of his life and becoming a co-spokes person, and helping with promoting the Canadian bill c-393 for medical assistance.
ReplyDelete2. after reading the lyrics i feel as though its very real and truthful as apposed to garbage rappers now talking about nothing important.
3.i think he wrote this song to deal with how the way he grew up and how he was waiting for his freedom from that life of poverty.
I think he's an activist because he tried to get people to notice what was going and he tried to make a difference and he fought for what he wanted. He decided to take a stand because he saw what was going on with his country.
ReplyDeleteI think he wrote this song because he wanted to get his message across in a different way so people could really pay attention and notice that it was serious. But at the same time i think he was trying to let them know that their is hope.
*Racquel Sterling*