Somali-Canadian rapper K’naan, best known for his global hit “Wavin’ Flag,” which became the anthem for the 2010 FIFA World Cup, has been charged with sexual assault, according to local media reports.
The 47-year-old artist, born Keinan Abdi Warsame, is accused of sexually assaulting a woman in her 20s in July 2010 while he was in Canada for a music festival. His lawyers entered a not-guilty plea on his behalf during a court appearance on Thursday, although K’naan himself was not present. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 2025.
Born in Mogadishu in 1978, K’naan fled war-torn Somalia at the age of 13 and grew up in Toronto, using rap to learn English. He now resides in New York City. His rise to fame began after his criticism of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in 1999 caught the attention of Senegalese musician Youssou N’Dour, who invited him to collaborate on an album, launching K’naan’s music career.
“Wavin’ Flag,” known for its powerful percussion and reggae-inspired sound, became a global anthem. After a long hiatus following his album Troubadour, K’naan returned in 2023 with new music, earning him a special merit award for Best Song for Social Change from the Recording Academy.
He also made his directorial debut with the film *Mother Mother* at the Toronto International Film Festival earlier this month. This week, the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada honored him with an award for the lasting cultural impact of “Wavin’ Flag” worldwide.