Awale Kullane

May 2004 - Halima Khaliif Magool, Seynab Laba Dhagax, Hani and more

Jambo and welcome again to Africa on your Street's Somali corner. This time I will highlight some of the best female Somali singers including some new voices on the scene.

• Remembering Halima Khaliif Magool
• Hani, Sahra I, Aamino Camaari and Awees Qamiis
• Massive Somali show at Stratford Rex
• Awale Kullane's Recommended CDs

Remembering Halima Khaliif Magool

First of all we at Africa on your Street would like to pass on our condolences to the family of  Halima Khaliif Magool , a true artist and a big figure in Somali politics and culture. She was nicknamed ‘Hooyaadii Fanka’, which translates as ‘the mother of the Somali Art of singers’.

Early in the 80s Magool was in exile and lived in the Middle East where she produced and acted in a number of plays, sang and made great albums. We rushed towards the music shops and to neighbours who arrived from the Middle East for video cassettes that were brought to the country. They included Magool and many other artists around the globe who were not allowed back to the country, or who knew that a beautiful cage was waiting for them for their political views that were different to those of the regime.  Magool was highly sought-after and had a distinctive voice that could not be mistaken with any other. Magool was unique.

When she was allowed back to the country in mid 80s, her first concert back in Somalia was held in the massive football stadium built by the Chinese government. It was one of the biggest structures in Somalia - one of the seven wonders from a Somali perspective - and the stadium was packed. But my memory is that when the Chinese president visited in the mid 80s, Magool was part of the welcoming group of the famous Waberi group. So as we lived in the vicinity of the presidential head quarters, our school was subjected to welcoming any delegates with green flowers and of course wearing the uniform.

It was one of those days, where we were to stand in the sun as the welcoming committee. We were the welcoming children standing in the highway, as the day was getting hotter and the sun was getting closer at midday. The teachers were tired and all of us were visibly weak when we heard some weird noise coming with a slight music like an old clock chime and words we couldn’t understand but a familiar voice. As it got closer we got more curious and the side road was filled, but it was a truck - a 4-wheel drive truck - mounted with large speakers. Normally they used to sing the national anthem but today it was Magool singing a Chinese song, going up and down the road.

For a few days that was the topic - Magool singing in Chinese and whether she spoke fluent Chinese. We laughed out loud with the most strict teachers watching us, the children, and the teachers were watched by the presidential guard unit, the red brigade. We were all people who couldn’t help laughing.

Magool passed away last month in Holland. She was due to come to London this month. God bless her soul.  Please share your own memories of Magool and thoughts about her music in the comments section .

Magool may be gone but there’s a fantastic range of female Somali singers coming up now. The album 'Dareen' from Seynab Laba Dhagax is a touchstone and shows her strength of performance: she has a great voice and talent to keep Somali songs alive. She is now based in Toronto, Canada, and has become popular since the civil war, doing a lot of touring and work on behalf of humanitarian groups.

Hani, Sahra I, Aamino Camaari and Awees Qamiis

Hani is another singer based in North America, and daughter of the famous Somali drummer Salah, known for playing the tall drums nicknamed 'bonge'. Hani is probably the first Somali artist with R&B talent, produced with the support of Shego Band, the musicians/ promoters who have become the great adventure seekers. I think it’s a clear mark of change and that our culture has expanded.

The fact that all the songs are in English doesn’t change how in touch Hani is with the current trends and the difficulties of young Somalis in the west. A Somali girl singing in English is provocative in itself,  and she has shown great strength to talk about issues like romance and how the Somali communities need to deal with progressive change. The album speaks for itself and speaks for a wide audience of young people.

The album 'Alcayn' is very new and the singer Sahra I . Cise Darmaan sings from a totally different perspective. She draws on the current reality of the war-centred community - she dedicates a whole song to jeeps for example - but this is her first album and I am sure she will be a hit.

Finally, I must recommend a classic: the album 'Shummey' by Aamino Camaari and Awees Qamiis , who are now based here in London. If you want to know more about Kabeebey, the south Somali style with an emphasis on drums, this is the album. 'Shummey' is the track from the famous romantic play which was revived in the 90s after 30 years when people talked about it but no one could see it. After the regime fell it was a hit again: the play and the album is an explosion of good music, from the beginning to the end, it’s a must buy.

Massive Somali show at Stratford Rex

Now for my recommended gig: the big Somali show in the UK this summer is on 9 July at London's Stratford Rex. Maali Production and  Ali D have again this time made some wonderful combinations: Lafoole, Sheego Band, Fadumo Haldhaa, AAR and Ali D, Blinker, DJ Ice and DJ Mo. The concert will be led by Lafoole, well-known for reviving patriotic and nationalist songs. Lafoole will be singing his most renowned songs that were on the lips of most Somali women: including Ruuney and Dhalan mayo. Ali D will DJ of course and the Group AAR will present their new style rap Somali R'n'B. AAR have a great deal to look forward to. (The lead singers Jama were at the Africa on your Street launch party ).

As for Sheego Band - they have organised massive events in London, Toronto, Ohio, Boston, and the rest of the western world. They are never satisfied and strive for perfection in many fronts, performing as Somalis where the country was under-represented and winning many awards around the world. In Somali circles they strive to bring out the young whatever their background, and give light to minority music that has long been under represented in the community. Sheego band are on a mission and they have earned my respect.

Last but not least it's Fadumo Haldhaa . Her album is like a masterpiece: it's in every shop and in every house. A new lady with a wonderful voice and classical tunes. If the rap and the new sheggo music doesn’t go down well and you prefer classical art, you will sit up and light up in her performance. Yet again this gig is a combo of new and old style music, a must-see event that will take place on 9 July 2004.

Finally, we had a great turn out of Somali musicians, music promoters and friends at the Africa on your Street press launch on 20 April. Check out the photogallery . And keep leaving your comments in the comments section – it’s good to hear from you.  

Awale Kullane's Recommended CDs

AAR - Maanta

K'naan - My Life is a Movie

Abdullahi Boqol - Warmoog

Abdulkadir Jubba - Durdurada

Check out my recommended CDs this month in the CD Reviews section or go to Music Search to look at our archive of recommended CDs.