K’NAAN

Sophomore Album ‘Troubadour’ Debuts at #32 on Billboard Top 200

Debuts at #3 for the Top 50 Digital Albums

Recently Named One of The Los Angeles Times “2009 Artist to Watch”

Currently on the Road on a National Solo and Festival Tour Including Dates at SXSW and Coachella

New York, March 4, 2009–Celebrated Hip Hop MC, griot, and singer/ songwriter K’NAAN is proud to announce the debut of Troubadour via A&M/Octone at #32 on the Billboard Top 200 and an impressive #3 debut on the Top 50 Digital Albums chart. These debuts illustrate the artistry of this album. K’NAAN is currently on the road in the US and will make stops at SXSW and Coachella.

K’NAAN uses his unique voice and authentic style to bring an enormous dose of realness and urgency to the hip-hop world. In the tradition of great folk singers and protest songs, he carves a new path filled with eloquent and thought-provoking lyrics.  From the powerful first single “ABCs” to the acoustic African folk melodies of “Fire in Freetown,” K’NAAN widens the traditional hip-hop perspective on his new album, redefining boundaries with his hard-hitting rhythms and lyrics. This new release follows K’NAAN’s debut album, The Dusty Foot Philosopher, which left an indelible mark on the hip hop community and the global music world. Now he returns with an inspirational release that is musically rich with classic beats, novel instrumentation and innovative rhymes.

Having grown up amongst the Somalian Revolution, K’NAAN has seen more violence and tougher streets than any gangster rapper could ever imagine. After escaping on the last commercial flight out of the country, K’NAAN arrived in North America and has proven to be more than just your average MC.  He has become a voice for change, a peacemaker, and a cultural bridge between the developing world and the west. In 2006, K’NAAN took home the Juno Award (Canada’s Grammy) for Best Rap Recording and most recently was honored as “Newcomer of the Year” at the UK’s BBC Radio 3 Awards.

Confirmed tour dates for K’NAAN are as follows:

3/04                         Atlanta, GA                                           Vinyl

3/07                         St Petersburg, FL                                 Jannus Landing

3/09                         Portland, OR                                         Doug Fir

3/10                         Seattle, WA                                          Neumos

3/11                         Vancouver, BC                                     Commodore Ballroom

3/12                         Nelson, BC                                            Finley’s Irish Bar & Grill

3/13                         Calgary, AB                                          Marquee Room

3/14                         Edmonton, AB                                      The Pawn Shop

3/15                         Saskatoon, SK                                      Louis Pub

3/19                         Austin, TX                                            SXSW

4/17                         Indio, CA                                               Coachella

For more information on K’NAAN, please visit:www.thedustyfoot.com and

www.myspace.com/knaanmusic

Contact:

Carleen Donovan/Ashley Parchment                                                                                              

Press Here Publicity                                                                           

212-246-2640                                                                                        

carleen@pressherepublicity.com                                     

ashleyp@pressherepublicity.com

Carleen Donovan

Press Here Publicity

New York, NY 10001

PH: (212) 246-2640

FX: (212) 582-6513

carleen@pressherepublicity.com