The arrest warrant alleges the assault took place 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 before the court, but the accused wasn't present. His lawyers weren’t immediately available for comment.
The victim, whose identity is protected, was 29 at the time of the alleged assault.
The Somalia-born musician grew up in Toronto, but resides in Brooklyn, New York, according to the charge sheet.
K’naan was given the cultural impact award at Canada’s SOCAN Awards on Tuesday for the global resonance of the 2009 hit “Wavin’ Flag.”
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This story first moved on Sept. 26, 2024, and was retransmitted on Sept. 27, 2024, to remove an image that misidentified another person as K’naan.