Rapper K'naan accused of sexual harassment over alleged 2010 incident

The Canadian rapper K'naan was charged with sexual assault stemming from an alleged incident in July 2010. The Canadian Press Reports.

The charges were filed Sept. 26 in a Quebec City courthouse. According to an arrest warrant, the attack occurred between July 16 and 17, 2010. Both dates overlap with the artists' appearance at the Festival d'été de Québec in Québec City.

Accordingly CBCThe complaint against K'naan was first filed with Montreal police in May 2022. The case ended in Quebec City after police discovered the attack allegedly occurred in a hotel room within that jurisdiction.

The identity of the victim, who was 29 at the time of the alleged attack, was kept secret. K'naan, born Keinan Abdi Warsame, would have been 33 years old at the time.

The Brooklyn-based rapper was not present in court at the time the lawsuit was filed. Radio Canada reports that K'naan's legal representation has requested that his trial be conducted in English. A date to review the case is scheduled for April 2025.

Earlier this week, K'naan was awarded the SOCAN Cultural Impact Award at the 34th Society of Composers, Authors and Music Publishers of Canada Awards. He was honored for his 2009 hit single “Wavin' Flag,” which peaked at number two billboardis the Canadian Hot 100 and was named the world anthem for the 2020 FIFA World Cup in 2010.