I Take Rappers on a Field Trip any Day

Looking at the track list on Troubadour you see your typically “featuring” guests like Chubb Rock, Damian Marley, Adam Levine, Mos Def and, wait, Kirk Hammett? Okay, so K’Naan may not be your typical rapper as seen by his biography: Somalia by way of Canada (insert your Snow jokes here). With those roots, K’naan has managed to make an African influenced rap album that actually works that is full with A Tribe Called Quest and The Pharcyde references to satisfy old school fans.

As for the Kirk Hammett appearance, it seems like every time a rapper tries mixing the genre with hard rock, they fail miserably or just come off cheesy (just ask Puff Daddy), but If Rap Gets Jealous actually can appeal to hip hop purists and metal heads the same. Oddly, he follows up that song with his most mellow song on the disk, Wavin’ Flag, a marching song that could do well as a nation anthem somewhere.

For those looking for a club banger, turn to the Adam Levine assisted Bang Bang where K’Naan takes a break from the political themes of the rest of the album, but still doesn’t sound tired like most rap songs on the radio. Other standout tracks are the album opener T.I.A., the shout and stomp along anthem and ABC’s that brings out Chubb Rock out of obscurity for a Jamaican themed jam.

Song to Download – If Rap Gets Jealous

Troubadour gets a on my Terror Alert Scale.