Troubadour (2009)

A rising-star rapper from Somalia (by way of Toronto) is as unlikely as an American president with Kenyan roots, so the buzz surrounding K'Naan's star-studded new album is enough to make you want to toast the new world order. Not so fast, though. Troubadour isn't the party script for the war-weary that K'Naan's brilliant debut, The Dusty Foot Philosopher, succeeded at being. His richly detailed rhymes are part of a more pop-centric stew, and the special guests (Mos Def, Damian Marley, Maroon 5's Adam Levine) make the recipe seem a little overcooked. B

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