We need to take a moment to give a massive shoutout to K’naan, the Somali-Canadian sensation who snagged a 2024 Grammy in the Song for Social Change category with his powerful “Refugee” single.
Making the win more impressive is the fact that “Refugee” was the only single released by K’naan in 2023, and his first since 2012’s “Nothing to Lose” (with Nas and will.i.am). K’naan’s decade-long hiatus from music crescendoed into this triumphant return, earning him the spotlight once again. This time the “Wavin’ Flag” star sheds light on the urgency of the world’s refugee crisis, effectively making “Refugee” a call to action.
“In the dictionary refugee is synonymous with displaced person, fugitive, outcast,” explained K’naan in a 2023 Instagram post.
“In Somali, the word feels like drifter or homeless. I wanted to write a song that felt like a home for those of us made homeless by conflict.”
Inspired by his family’s poetry in Somalia, , CBC Music referred to the song as an “ode and a reclamation of what it means to be displaced by forces outside of one’s own control.”
“My first Grammy,” said K’naan of the accomplishment.
“This award is not a validation but simply an honor. When we felt fed up, I wrote Soobax. When we felt low on hope I wrote Wavin’ Flag. When the world seemed to turn their backs on people running for their lives, I wrote Refugee. Proud Somali, African, Muslim, Immigrant, Dixon yute & Wardhiigleey boy 🙏🏾”
K’naan’s first Grammy win solidifies his position as a musical luminary, weaving social consciousness into art to create an impressive catalogue of poignant anthems. The supporting music video has been viewed over 217K times since premiering in June 2023, and hopefully this new accolade see’s K’naan’s streams get a well-deserved boost.
You can find “Refugee” on Apple Music, Spotify, and various other digital streaming platforms.
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