The Dusty Foot Philosopher

The Dusty Foot Philosopher is the debut studio album by the Somali-Canadian rapper K'naan. It was released by BMG Music on June 7, 2005, in Canada and on June 23, 2005, in the United States. Critical reception The Dusty Foot Philosopher was widely acclaimed by critics. K'naan received particular praise for addressing serious topics, such as the wartorn conditions in his childhood home of Mogadishu, while still managing to display lightheartedness and humor. K'naan's choruses were also singled out for praise, with reviewers labeling them "deft" and "infectious". A more mixed appraisal of the album's songwriting came from Miles Duncan of Okayplayer, who opined that the album's focus on Somalia caused it to fall into "drab uniformity". The production on The Dusty Foot Philosopher received significant attention for its distinctive, African-influenced sound; critics particularly highlighted the splashing-water melody of opening track "Wash It Down", which Robert Christgau likened to Mbuti water drumming.