In a significant legal development, Somali-Canadian rapper K’naan, known for his global hit Wavin’ Flag, has been charged with sexual assault related to an incident that allegedly occurred in Quebec City in July 2010. The charge was officially filed on September 26, 2024, in a Quebec City courthouse, drawing considerable media attention.
According to court documents, the alleged assault took place between July 16 and 17, 2010, coinciding with K’naan’s performance at the Festival d’été de Québec. The complaint was initially lodged with Montreal police in May 2022 and later transferred to Quebec City after investigators determined that the incident occurred within that jurisdiction.
The victim, who was 29 at the time of the incident, has chosen to remain anonymous. K’naan, whose real name is Keinan Abdi Warsame, did not appear in court during the proceedings. His legal team has requested that the trial be conducted in English, with a preliminary inquiry scheduled for April 23, 2025.
The news of K’naan’s charges has sparked widespread discussion across social media and news platforms, as fans and critics alike react to the allegations against the artist.
Just days before the charges were made public, K’naan received the SOCAN Cultural Impact Award at the Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada Awards for his influential song Wavin Flag, which served as a global anthem during the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Born in Mogadishu, Somalia, K’naan moved to Toronto as a teenager and has since become a prominent figure in music and culture. His career has been marked by both critical acclaim and personal challenges. As this legal case unfolds, it will likely continue to attract significant media coverage and public scrutiny, reflecting broader discussions about accountability within the entertainment industry.
