K’naan, one of Canada’s most successful rappers, rose to fame with his 2009 megahit Raising the Flaghas been charged with sexual assault in Quebec City.
K’naan, whose real name is Keinan Abdi Warsame, allegedly sexually assaulted a person between July 16 and July 17 in 2010, according to his charge sheet.
On that date, the 47-year-old artist was in Quebec City to perform during Summer Festival from Quebeca major summer festival in the provincial capital. The alleged victim was a woman who was in her 20s at the time, according to Radio-Canada.
The alleged victim filed a complaint with Montreal police in May 2022. The case was eventually turned over to Quebec City police given that the crime allegedly took place in a hotel room in the police department’s jurisdiction, according to Radio-Canada.
The case went to trial on Thursday morning, although the artist was not present at the hearing.
A preliminary hearing in the case has been set for April 2025, according to Radio-Canada. Radio-Canada also reported that his lawyers announced that the artist wants to be tried in English before a jury.
On Tuesday, the Society of Canadian Composers, Authors and Music Publishers (SOCAN) presented K’naan with its Cultural Impact Award in recognition of the “global and lasting impact” of his 2009 hit song.
K’naan, who grew up in Toronto, now lives in New York City.
