Somali-Canadian rapper K’naan, best known for his global hit “Wavin’ Flag,” the anthem of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, has been charged with sexual assault, according to reports in local media.
The 47-year-old artist, whose real name is Keinan Abdi Warsame, is accused of sexually assaulting a woman in her 20s in July 2010 during a music festival in a Canadian city. His lawyers entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf in court on Thursday, though K’naan was not present. A preliminary hearing for the case is set for April 2025.
Born in Mogadishu in 1978, K’naan fled the war-torn country at the age of 13 and grew up in Toronto. He turned to rap to learn English and later gained international fame. He currently resides in New York City.
K’naan’s rise to stardom was partly propelled by his critique of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in 1999, which caught the attention of Senegalese musician Youssou N’Dour. N’Dour invited him to collaborate on an album, helping launch his music career.
Following an extended hiatus after the release of his album Troubadour, K’naan returned to music in 2023. His new work earned him a special merit award from the Recording Academy for Best Song for social change. Earlier this month, he made his directorial debut with the film Mother Mother at the Toronto International Film Festival.
This week, K’naan received an award from the Society of Composers, Authors, and Music Publishers of Canada, recognizing the lasting cultural impact of his hit song “Wavin’ Flag” around the world.
