Music of Somalia
Somalia has the distinction of being one of only a handful of countries in Africa that are composed almost entirely of one ethnic group, the Somalis. Traditional bands like Waaberi Horseed have gained a small following outside the country. Others, like Ahmed Cali Cigal, Maryam Mursal, have fused Somali traditional music with rock, bossa nova, hip hop, and jazz, influences. Native instruments include the batar drum. Somalia has also produced native hip hop crews like the Skyhigh Family.
History
The first major form of modern Somali music began in the mid-1930s, when Somalia was a part of the British Somaliland Protectorate. This styly of music was known as Xer-Dhaanto, an innovative, urban form of Somali folk dance and song. This period also saw the rise of the Xaaji Baal Baal Dance Troupe, which became very influential over the course of its long career.
Somali popular music began with the balwo style, which was created by Abdi Sinimo. This style began in Dilla and then spread throughout the area. It was a mixture of modern poetry and Somalian dance music.
Cabdillahi Qarshe rose to fame in the early 1940s as part of the qaraami style. Many qarami songs from this era are still extremely popular today. This music style is mostly played on the Kaban (oud).
During the Siad Barre regime, music was suppressed except for a small amount of officially-sanctioned music. There were many protest songs produced during this period.
Popular music
Toronto, where a sizable Somali community exists, has now replaced Mogadishu (because of the instability) as the center of the Somali music industry. There are also appreciable Somali music scenes in London, Minneapolis, and Columbus.
One popular musician from the Somali diaspora is K'Naan, a young rapper from Toronto, whose songs talk about the struggles of life in Somalia during the Civil War.
Music institutions
The first radio station in Somalia was Radio Somali, in Hargeysa. Nowadays, most people download Somali music on Somalioz.com or on MySomali.com, popular online Somali music portals.
List of Somali musicians
- Hibo Mohamed Hudoon (Hibo Nuura)
- Ahmed Cali Cigal
- Abdi Sinimo
- Haliimo Khaliif Magool
- Maryam Mursal
- Mohamed Nuur Giriig
- Madar Ahmed Mohamed (Madar Yare)
- K'Naan
- Hasan Adan Samatar
- Ahmed Mooge Liban
- Mohamed Mooge Liban
- Abdiqadir Sheikh Ali Sanka
- Yusuf Jamac Ganey
- Mohamed Saleebaan
- Omar Dhuule
- Mohamed Mooge
- Ahmed Gayate
- Mahamoud Mohamed Cige (Buuse)
- Mohamed Yusuf
- Ismail Yare
- Amina Abdilahi
- Fadumo Qasim
- Abdihakim Mohamed Warsame (Calaacal)
- Hasan Haji Abdilahi (Hasan Ganey)
List of Somali Music Writers
- Hasan Shiekh Muumin
- Huseen Aw Faarah
- Mohamed Ali Kaariye
- Mohamed Cabdulahi Sangub
- Mohamed Ibraahim Hadrawi
- Sahal Macalim Ciise
- Cabdi Adan Qays
- Hasan Haji Abdilahi (Hasan Ganay)
- Abdihakim Mohamed Warsame (Calaacal)