53 Quotes by K'naan

The people of Somalia just do not have a voice. They are to me the most forgotten people in the world.

The only way I see the world now is through coming out of and growing up and living in Somalia. In the time of war, everyone was basically trying to live and manage the best they could. But you also had another period which was not a hard time at all - it was just a beautiful time. I lived in both eras.

You have to let the world speak to you and then you speak, you know, so I'm in that moment now where I'm finding the world's voice.

Art isn't held with the same high regard as it is after success. In any country, in any language, you're a loser if you're making music until you prove otherwise.

I'm an optimist about other people. I'm not an optimist about myself.

The poetry I grew up on is really an intense form of poetry; it's so pure and powerful.

I enjoy mediation. I think the artist's position is often to mend the things we feel are broken. Whether that's between two cultures or two thoughts. We're always trying to reach, trying to expand something.

I faced quite a few challenging times, and in front of those, I was more positive than some people not facing those conditions. I'm actually of the belief now that it is that struggle that offers you that open-hearted hope.

I'm not about trying to get and get and get. I feel good when I get, but I kind of feel better when I give.