🎵 This #TBT, we're spotlighting a #TOmusic story from our new #SoundsLikeToronto exhibit. With his music and throughout his career, @KNAAN has raised awareness on immigration, the plight of refugees, and his Somali homeland. #BlackHistoryMonth #BHM 📷 @PolarisPrize 
Escaping civil war in Somali as a child, K'naan & his family settled in Rexdale. A quick-witted lyricist, he achieved international fame w/ his song Wavin' Flag, inspired by a poem by his grandfather. Coca-Cola picked up on its success & it became the 2010 FIFA World Cup anthem.
K'naan currently lives in NY but visits TO often to see his family. In 2017, Trump issued a travel ban, which prohibited entry to the US from several countries, including Somalia. K'Naan was advised not to travel to Canada, for fear that he would not be allowed to return to NY.
That same year, Lin-Manuel Miranda produced a music video for the song "Immigrants (We Get the Job Done)". Featuring K'Naan, Miranda wanted to include artists who could speak to their experiences with systemic racism. More, including video & song clips at ow.ly/irZn50Dqwpr
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