Take a minute

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Pillaged and raped through the constant dumping of nuclear waste, local fishermen armed with guns began to protect their coast line. It was only a matter of time before greed overwhelmed these men and transformed them into pirates. We aren't talking Captain Hook or Peter Pan here, this is Somali, the birth place of K'naan.

The dirtiest depths of grit, grime, and struggle for survival makes East Oakland look like a damn luxury vacation in comparison to Somali. If you need any more proof that roses can grow from concrete look no further. K'naan is the light tower that keeps the smallest sliver of hope alive. He inspires and motivates just by being himself. Please just take a minute and listen to this incredible song.



Lyrics: K'naan - Take a minute

And any man who knows a thing knows
He knows not a damn, damn thing at all
And every time I felt the hurt
And I felt the givin' gettin' me up off the wall

I'm just gonna take a minute and let it ride
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it breeze
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it ride
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it breeze

How did Mandela get the will to surpass the everyday
When injustice had him caged and trapped in every way?
How did Gandhi ever withstand the hunger strikes and all?
Didn't do it to gain power or money if I recall

It's to give, I guess, I'll pass it on
Mother thinks it'll lift the stress of Babylon
Mother knows, my mother she suffered blows
I don't know how we survived such violent episodes

I was so worried and hurt to see you bleed
But as soon as you came out the hospital you gave me sweets
Yeah, they try to take you from me
But you still only gave 'em some prayers and sympathy

Dear mama, you helped me write this
By showing me to give is priceless

And any man who knows a thing knows
He knows not a damn, damn thing at all
And every time I felt the hurt
And I felt the givin' gettin' me up off the wall

I'm just gonna take a minute and let it ride
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it breeze
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it ride
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it breeze

All I can say is the worst is over now
We can serve the hard times, divorce, it's over now
They try to keep us out but they doors is open now
My nigga, Akon is gettin' awards and covers now

This is K'naan and still reppin' the S
Comin' out of Mogadishu and still draped in the mess
And no matter how we strong, homie
It ain't easy comin' out of where we from, homie

And that's the reason why, I could never play for me
Tell 'em the truth is what my dead homies told me
Ooh yeah, I take inspiration from the most heinous of situations
Creating medication out my own tribulations

Dear Africa, you helped me write this
By showing me to give is priceless

And any man who knows a thing knows
He knows not a damn, damn thing at all
And every time I felt the hurt
And I felt the givin' gettin' me up off the wall

I'm just gonna take a minute and let it ride
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it breeze
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it ride
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it breeze

Nothing is perfect man, that's what the world is
All I know is I'm enjoying today
You know 'cause it isn't every day that you get to give

And any man who knows a thing knows
He knows not a damn, damn thing at all
And every time I felt the hurt
And I felt the givin' gettin' me up off the wall

I'm just gonna take a minute and let it ride
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it breeze
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it ride
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it breeze

I got nothin' to complain about
You know where I'm from
You know where I'ma last, so
You know I was flyin' high

I'm just gonna take a minute and let it ride
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it breeze
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it ride
I'm just gonna take a minute and let it breeze



One of my favorite K'naan quotes that really emphasizes the ignorance behind wanting to be a gangster:

"All Somalis know that gangsterism isn't to brag about. The kids that I was growing up with [in Rexdale] would wear baggy [track] suit pants, and a little jacket from Zellers or something, and they'd walk into school, and all the cool kids would be like, 'Ah, man, look at these Somalis. Yo, you're a punk!' And the other kid won't say nothing, but that kid, probably, has killed fifteen people." -K'naan

Comments

  1. AnonymousJanuary 10, 2011 at 5:52 PM

    You do realize the level of ignorance shown by whomever wrote this song, don't you?

    I am referring to Gandhi's hunger strikes. He was protesting against racism in India and the oppression of the British.

    He is, in no way, including the black population. As a matter of fact, if you read his books, he very explicitly describes how black people are inferior to white people and that Indians should not be treated like a "Kaffir" (Offensive term he used to describe black people. The original meaning of the word is 'heathen', 'unbeliever' or 'infidel', from the Arabic 'kafir' and is still being used with this meaning by Muslims).

    In any case, Gandhi has absolutly nothing to do with black people. As a matter of fact, most people are so blind to his obvious racism towards black people that they are willing to spin things around for him to look good. He got thrown off a train for sitting with white people, instead of sitting in the wagon with black people. Some people nowadays would say that he was fighting for racial equality between white and black people. But from one of his essays, he does not consider himself a black person, he did not want to sit with those inferior to him in the train and went to sit with his equals, the white people.

    I am not sure how exactly K'naan views Gandhi's episodes of extreme racism or if he is completely ignorant of them.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Pure PositivityJanuary 11, 2011 at 1:55 AM

    Interesting take on this. My interpretation is a bit different. I don't see K'naan using the example of Gandhi to highlight racial inequalities, but rather his ability to instill hope in face of darkness. His lyrics simply say, "How did Gandhi ever withstand the hunger strikes and all. Didn't do it to gain money or power if I recall." What makes Gandhi so influential was the extreme amount he was willing to sacrifice in order to attain his goal. That's a powerful thing.

    It's rather unfortunate that Gandhi fought for equality for Indians rather than all, but through his fight he awakened an idea. MLK was said to be a womanizer, Lincoln signed countless treaties that devastated Native Americans. Regardless of their flaws all three men are heroes in their own right. You must remember that to error is human.

    ReplyDelete

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