When you come from a place the United Nations calls "the most dangerous place to live," you learn how to survive to say the least. When you come to a foreign land with little English and nothing but an empty bag, your survival instincts go into overload. That's K'Naan: a survivor. He's makes music that resonates with many for that reason. The struggle as he describes "is universal."

A universal struggle can pull many people to you. It helps you become friends with Bob Marley's son, Damien. It allows Mos Def to relate to you while touring. Struggle along with personality can draw interest for a pop star like Adam Levine. Enough so, that he's compelled work with you after hearing a few songs. But once again, that's K'Naan.

Lucky enough to grab some of his time, K'Naan spoke with BallerStatus.com and the subject was based on survival. Of course, his new album came up in the process. He worked with Damien Marley, Mos Def, and Kirk Hammett of Metallica. However, when you've lived a life like K'Naan's, the subject always goes back to ... survival. And why wouldn't it -- that's K'Naan.

BallerStatus.com: Let's go directly into your new album; tell me about the process you went through to make this happen...

K'Naan: I recorded most of it in Jamaica. The production was mostly based on my concepts, but I had other guys bring it to life...

BallerStatus.com: Who did you collaborate with on this album?

K'Naan: Damien Marley, Mos Def, Adam Levine from Maroon 5, and a crazy song Kirk Hammett from Metallica.

BallerStatus.com: What kind of relationship do you have with Damien Marley? I heard that you recorded most of the album at his dad's studio?

K'Naan: Yeah, we did. We became friends a while ago and we've made music together ever since. First, he invited me to record at his father's house. Soon after that, he gave me the keys to the place.

BallerStatus.com: That's cool. Your other collaborators are interesting as well. Where did you cross paths with Adam Levine and Mos Def?

K'Naan: Mos Def has been a musical partner of mine for a long time. We've been making music with each other and touring in the past, so it's just natural now. The Adam Levine song was dope. His band was here and heard some of my music. We talked and I came up with the song concept. [Adam] heard [the concept] and said, "I would love to sing this, it's dope." It's a smash and he has great vocals.

BallerStatus.com: I read that a lot of your English lessons came from Paid In Full by Eric B. and Rakim...

K'Naan: Not just that album though. Just hip-hop in general. It's kind of weird way to pick up the language that way, but that it how I got a lot of my understanding of English. It wasn't just the language, but the culture out here in North America. Paid In Full came to my country when I was much younger. When I got to North America, it more about Illmatic by Nas and Gangstarr.

BallerStatus.com: You came to the U.S. with nothing and I know people who can't go a day like that, but you managed to do so. Where did you get your survival instincts come from?

K'Naan: I come from a place where survival rates are much lower. Being exposed to situations at a young age gives you tough skin. It was relatively mild [in difficulty] to survive out here. But not having anything was really hard. It wasn't really set up for me to succeed when I got here. But living in my country made it easier to adjust.

BallerStatus.com: What was your first impression on America when you got here?

K'Naan: When I came to the States, I came to Harlem, New York. So the different people, the culture, and the buildings left an impression on me. The language and the weather, everything is new.

BallerStatus.com: When you hear American rappers talk about their hood and how hard it is, do you find yourself laughing when compared to your country?

K'Naan: Well, everyone's struggle is legitimate to them. You never want to laugh at anyone's struggle. When guys talk about their hood on record, they talk about their hood. I do the same thing. But it just so happens when I talk about my hood, it makes their hood sound like a nice bungalow on a beach some where. You can't be mad at me for that. Everyone has the right to represent where they come from.

BallerStatus.com: Speaking of struggle, you lost some friends at a young age because of some war lords shooting at you. How did that situation happen?

K'Naan: They weren't really war lords, they were just militia men. They were in an armed gang with AK-47s and machine guns. We were f***ing around and threw a rock or two at the armored vehicle coming by. I really didn't expect the guy to turn the machine gun towards us. They were just passing through and then the guy turns the machine gun towards me and friends and shoots. But sh** like that happens all the time.

BallerStatus.com: You make it sound like nothing ... How does that change you as a young kid?

K'Naan: It gave me perspective. It gave me more of a reason to survive and give light to some of these dark issues.

BallerStatus.com: When you perform on the road, what country gives you the most love when you travel?

K'Naan: Honestly, we get love everywhere we go. But when we go to Africa, it's something different. It's love like, "You don't have to tell me, I understand." They're like, "Yeah, we live it, thanks for telling them."

BallerStatus.com: Do you follow politics at all?

K'Naan: No, but politics follow me. (laughs)

BallerStatus.com: What does it mean to you to look at America being run by a man of color?

K'Naan: It means that America is looking to re-gain its political energy. I think it's big because in the last 8-10 years, America has been on the lower part of the totem pole in terms of respect around the world. [America is like] this big bully with a lot of money and weapons saying, "No, I want it. You know what? Here comes a bomb." The rest of the world is like, "Oh, God there goes that fat guy again!" [With Obama] now, it's like America is ready to conduct itself with more class around the world.