Canadian rapper K’naan, best known for the global hit “Wavin’ Flag,” has been charged in Quebec City with alleged sexual assault dating back more than 14 years.
An indictment filed at a Quebec City courthouse on Thursday says the rapper, whose real name is Keenan Abdi Warsame, is accused of one count of sexual assault dating back to July 2010.
The arrest warrant alleges that the attack occurred between July 16 and July 17, 2010, dates that coincide with the musician’s appearance at Quebec City’s popular Festival d’Été de Québec.
The case was in court, but the accused was not present. His lawyer was not immediately available for comment.
The victim, whose identity has been withheld, was 29 at the time of the alleged attack.
According to the indictment, the Somalia-born musician grew up in Toronto but lives in Brooklyn, New York.
K’naan was given the cultural impact award at Canada’s SOCAN Awards on Tuesday for the global resonance of his 2009 hit “Wavin’ Flag.”