SOMALI MUSIC - Videos/Stories/Images

[Constantine MMX]

Post videos, stories and images of Somalia's bands and musicians. This is also the place to discuss Somali artists that have found success on a global scale.

[Constantine MMX]

The Light & Sound of Mogadishu

Blue and White, the colors of the Somali flag, Blue and White, the colors of Mogadishu. This city, that over the last seventeen years has become a symbol of anarchy and suffering, was once one of East Africa’s most appealing capitals. Friends and colleagues who lived in Mogadishu in the early 1970s remember a city of whitewashed corral houses, with Arabic arches and elaborately carved rosettes, of Italian art-deco cafes and colonial administrative buildings, a city of tree shaded boulevards, and the cobalt blue of the Indian Ocean. They remember a city where young women in miniskirts strolled alongside older women in colorful and billowing Direh, where young dudes grew Afros and strutted, in bell bottoms, past groups of men in ma’awis kilts and white skullcaps. Today, living far from Mogadishu, these friends and colleagues feed their memories with a steady diet of thirty-year old recordings by their favorite poets and singers from ‘back home’.

These rich memories, and reveries, of the early 1970s are captured in this set of 45s on the ‘Light & Sound’ label from Mogadishu. The label was an offshoot of the successful ‘Light & Sound’ electronic appliance store located in the center of the city. The store, which shared a building with the famous ‘Cinema Hamar’ (which was the first enclosed movie theater in Mogadishu), and the label, were both owned by Dahir Omar. The recording studio was located in a back room off the main sales floor, and may have been the first private recording studio in Somalia (at the time most recordings were made in the studios of Radio Mogadishu or Radio Hargeysa). Today, both the store and the ‘Cinema Hamar’ are closed. I do not know how many singles were released on ‘Light & Sound’ (I have not yet been able to track down Dahir Omar, or anyone who worked at the store), but the 45s below represent some of Somalia’s most loved artists. - Source

[Constantine MMX]

We are very fortunate to have received a unique historical recording, the LP Somalia Sings Songs of the New Era (Radio Mogadishu SBSLP-100) issued in 1972 in the first flush of Somalia’s “Scientific Socialist Revolution”. We are grateful for Abdijabar Mohammed sending us this rare gem! The artists that you will here in the following were all members of Waaberi, the house-band of the Ministry of Information and National Guidance.

Soomalida Manta - Waaberi ArtistsThese are the first words of the song: ‘A Revolution dawned in Somalia today – October 21st – and is taking gigantic strides toward progress every year, every day, every hour and every wink.’ This song, composed by the talented composer Mohamoud Abdillahi Sangub, marks the international cause of the Revolution in Somalia as can be observed in the first few words. It also emphasizes Somalia’s call for equality for the whole of mankind without arrogance and domination by some over others, for the elimination of colonialism; for international effort toward such elimination and for the execution of the human principles asserting the right of self-determination of various peoples in every part of the world.

Aynaanka Hay - Abdi Muhumud Amin & Waaberi Artists This song is one of the highly valued and widely spread songs of the New Era composed by the nationalist artist, Abdi Muhumud and sung by himself with the help of the Waaberi chorus. This widely admired song which met international recognition of many artists from friendly countries is dedicated to the beloved leader and Father of the Nation, Jaalle Maj. Mohamed Siad Barre. Its main theme goes: ‘The right path you have shown us; Our beloved leader march on; Our triumphant cause be its maintainer; Towards ultimate victory lead us ever.

Gobanimo - Mohamed Suleiman & Hibo MohamedThe composer of this number, Hussein Aw Farah, is one of the outstanding Revolutionary and patriotic songs composers in the Somali Democratic Republic. In this song he points out the reason why the Armed Forces, with the overwhelming support of the Somali people, took over the power from the corrupt civilian regimes who misruled the country for nine years. He explains that our sovereignty was in danger of total collapse, but the Armed Forces are now ready to defend it at the cost of their lives.

Ha Iilan - Ahmed Ali Egal & Waaberi ArtistsThis is one of the numerous Revolutionary songs aimed at encouraging the Father of the Nation, Jaalle Maj. General Mohamed Siad Barre, to hold high the banner of the blessed Revolution and to fight against colonialism and all its traces. The composer Abdi M. Amin, who has been honoured for his Revolutionary thoughts, again puts more emphasis in his words which goes: “Forward ever, Backward Never!

Midab Gumeysi Diida - Waaberi Artists with Abdi Ali Baalwan & DaleisThis song was composed by Mohamoud Abdillahi Singub & sung by Waaberi Artists with Abdi Ali Baalwan & Daleis in the leading role. the composer calls the African leaders to be united against the evils of colonialism, imperialism and Apartheid. The first words of this song point out why colonialism finds its way in Africa. ‘Without strong bulwark, Ian Smith would have not dared to snatch off Rhodesia, nor Portugal tried to stay in Angola and Mozambique and to perpetuate genocide against African people, not the memory of the invisible knives to kill the freedom of Guinea in the dark faded away yet. We are also aware of the plight of Africans in South Africa. - Source

[Xusein]

I admit I don't listen to Somali music often but now this is a Hees Wadani.

[ja'far]

[ja'far]

[Constantine MMX]

[IMG]http://i41.************/p3ns9.jpg[/IMG]

More From the Ministry of Information and National Guidance

Our good friend Sanaag comes through once again with Famous Songs: Hits of the New Era (Radio Mogadishu SBSLP-102, 1973), Volume Three in the series that began with Somalia Sings Songs of the New Era, one of Likembe's most popular recent posts.

These records were issued under the aegis of the Somali Ministry of Information and National Guidance to rally support for the military government of Mohammad Siad Barre, which in the early '70s had "socialist" pretensions. For all their propagandistic aspects, it would be a mistake to dismiss their musical qualities. Waaberi, the Somali super-group featured on Somalia Sings and Famous Songs, pre-dated the 1969 military coup and was a training ground for many great singers, including Xaliimo Khaliif Magool, Maryam Mursal and Sahra Axmed. - Source.

[juzme123]

[Khadar]

Faadumo Qaasim

[Constantine MMX]

[Khadar]

[Khadar]

[FarahThePhantom]

great stuff guys,keep it coming.

[Qalanjo]

Originally Posted by juzme123

Good old days.

did Kooxdaa wabeeri sang that song as the opening act of all their shows?

[juzme123]

^ I'm not sure Qalanjo

[keita]

anyone know where i can get Qaraami music to download

[Qalanjo]

Originally Posted by juzme123

^ I'm not sure Qalanjo

I think they had. It was their trademark.

[Constantine MMX]

[Constantine MMX]

[Constantine MMX]

AAR MAANTA - One of the best new generation Somali musicians:


Performing for a group of children.