K’naan, the Somali-Canadian recording artist known for the 2009 global hit “Wavin’ Flag,” has been charged with sexual assault over an alleged 2010 incident in Quebec City.
The 47-year-old Toronto native, real name Keinan Abdi Warsame, was brought up on charges on Thursday (Sept. 26) with a scheduled court appearance set for April 2025. According to the charge sheet, the recording artist is being charged with one count of sexual assault. K’naan was not present in court.
According to the arrest warrant, the alleged assault occurred between July 16 and July 17, 2010, which coincides with the musician’s performance at Quebec City’s popular Festival d’été de Québec. At the time of the alleged assault, the victim was 29 years old.
The accusation centers around a then-29-year-old woman who claims K’naan sexually assaulted her at a hotel in Quebec City during the Festival d’été de Quebec. The complaint, initially filed with Montreal police in May 2022, was later transferred to Quebec City authorities since the alleged crime occurred within their jurisdiction.
Should a criminal past exist prior to the sexual assault, it’s K’naam’s first claim as a celebrity. K’naan’s attorneys were unavailable for comment following Thursday’s court hearing. K’naan’s plea in the matter is unknown at press time.
The accusation centers around K’naan after achieving international fame with his hit single “Wavin’ Flag,” which became an anthem for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. It originally appeared on his 2009 album Troubadour, which also featured collaborations with Mos Def, Chubb Rock, and Jurassic 5’s Chali 2na.
The news follows being honored by the Recording Academy early 2024 with the Best Song for Social Change Award for his 2023 track “Refugee.” Earlier this week, K’naan received the SOCAN Cultural Impact Award for “Wavin’ Flag,” recognizing the song’s global resonance.
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