You may have seen the recent op-ed in the New York Times by K’naan where he railed against pressures of the music industry which encouraged him to “change the walk of his music”. It is very rare to see an artist pour out the trials and tribulations of an industry so openly and to this we were offered a front row seat. We are sure that his fans say thank you but at the same time it is worth taking a minute to analyse the profound complexities that artists in the Diaspora face particularly as it relates to a “KINSHIP” to their place of origin and their adopted homes. Derica Shields captured this sentiment well in her piece for OkayAfrica where she notes the balance of romanticizing an artist’s “true voice” and the need to engage with the present populace. Read K’naan’s op-ed here and Derica’s piece here. Enjoy! 
Zoom

You may have seen the recent op-ed in the New York Times by K’naan where he railed against pressures of the music industry which encouraged him to “change the walk of his music”. It is very rare to see an artist pour out the trials and tribulations of an industry so openly and to this we were offered a front row seat. We are sure that his fans say thank you but at the same time it is worth taking a minute to analyse the profound complexities that artists in the Diaspora face particularly as it relates to a “KINSHIP” to their place of origin and their adopted homes. Derica Shields captured this sentiment well in her piece for OkayAfrica where she notes the balance of romanticizing an artist’s “true voice” and the need to engage with the present populace. Read K’naan’s op-ed here and Derica’s piece here. Enjoy! 

The Peace Tour continues, this time in the version of the Somali Sunrise Concert Tour in Washington DC tonight and in New York on 28 August. The tour consists of young Somali artists who put together the concert tour and documentary film featuring that brings together an alliance of Somalia’s top hiphop, Afrobeat, and r&b musicians. The group of artists are proving to be an unstoppable force for peace as they tour the world, from the US to East Africa, to perform the first modern concert in twenty years in war-torn Mogadishu, Somalia. The Tour’s ultimate goal is to persuade Somali youth through their hiphop, Afrobeat, and r&b concert jams and lyrics to unify, turn away from the gun, and peacefully resist extremism. It will also celebrate the reunification of the capitol, Mogadishu. Show some love and visit the Tour’s page here. 

[Vice]: It’s fair to say that things haven’t been so great in Somalia these last two decades. Things are changing, though. Somalia is in its happy place right now, the optimism rushing through the nation encapsulated in the current hit song,” Yaan La Dooran, Ya La Doortaa” which, loosely translated, means “Let’s elect… let’s not elect.” The song, by four famous Somali singers named Mohamed Ahmed Qomal, Hussien Shire, Abdulkadir AJ, and Nuur Jama Aden, is being played everywhere and tells people to think about what kind of leader would be good for Somalia. Read more about Oscar Rickett’s interview with his friend Abdurrahman Warsameh, a Somali journalist living in Mogadishu, here and listen to the song here.
Zoom

[Vice]: It’s fair to say that things haven’t been so great in Somalia these last two decades. Things are changing, though. Somalia is in its happy place right now, the optimism rushing through the nation encapsulated in the current hit song,” Yaan La Dooran, Ya La Doortaa” which, loosely translated, means “Let’s elect… let’s not elect.” The song, by four famous Somali singers named Mohamed Ahmed Qomal, Hussien Shire, Abdulkadir AJ, and Nuur Jama Aden, is being played everywhere and tells people to think about what kind of leader would be good for Somalia. Read more about Oscar Rickett’s interview with his friend Abdurrahman Warsameh, a Somali journalist living in Mogadishu, here and listen to the song here.

Referred to by some as the hip-hop renegades, Somali artists “Waayaha Cusub” (meaning “new era”) are taking the world by storm! The group was recently covered in a Rolling Stone Magazine article which canvassed their love for music as much as their love for Somalia! The group consists of Shiine Akhyaar, the lead singer and manager; his wife and lead vocalist Falis Abdi; and tenor singer Dikriyow Abdi. Shiine describes the harrowing tale of being forced out Mogadishu and eventually being shot several times because of his and the group’s love for Music and their need to spread peace through song and dance. For those of you wondering about Somali music, it refers to the musical styles, techniques and sounds of Somalia, which are centred on traditional Somali folklore. Most Somali songs are pentatonic in the sense that they only use five pitches per octave in contrast to a heptatonic (seven note) scale. While mostly singers are highlighted through Somali music, its songs are usually the product of collaboration between lyricists (midho), songwriters (lahan), and singers (‘odka or “voice”). Read Waayaha Cusub’s coverage in the Rolling Stone Magazine here and make sure to catch them play at the Somali Concert Tour for Peace on Aug 28nd in New York. 
Zoom

Referred to by some as the hip-hop renegades, Somali artists “Waayaha Cusub” (meaning “new era”) are taking the world by storm! The group was recently covered in a Rolling Stone Magazine article which canvassed their love for music as much as their love for Somalia! The group consists of Shiine Akhyaar, the lead singer and manager; his wife and lead vocalist Falis Abdi; and tenor singer Dikriyow Abdi. Shiine describes the harrowing tale of being forced out Mogadishu and eventually being shot several times because of his and the group’s love for Music and their need to spread peace through song and dance. For those of you wondering about Somali music, it refers to the musical styles, techniques and sounds of Somalia, which are centred on traditional Somali folklore. Most Somali songs are pentatonic in the sense that they only use five pitches per octave in contrast to a heptatonic (seven note) scale. While mostly singers are highlighted through Somali music, its songs are usually the product of collaboration between lyricists (midho), songwriters (lahan), and singers (‘odka or “voice”). Read Waayaha Cusub’s coverage in the Rolling Stone Magazine here and make sure to catch them play at the Somali Concert Tour for Peace on Aug 28nd in New York. 

We’ve all heard of a cover or a mash-up but Somali sister pop duo FAARROW attempted something unique of late - a quad-mash-up that is as distinctly brilliant as it is a mark of their trade of late. The young sisters mashed-up covers from four artists, namely: Katy Perry, Frank Ocean, Kanye West and Jay Z! It not only evokes the breadth of their talent but the anticipation that is building up for their album release! Follow FAARROW on twitter here and show them some love!. To learn more about these amazing sisters, check out our previous features on their work here. 

You may have seen her on YouTube singing her heart out to ballads and covers but Laila Adam launched her new single “Love You Down” last week to critical success! Determined to outdo her critics, her single is raising eyebrows and has launched to much fan-fare. A Somali-American singer by way of Seattle, Washington, Laila continues to work hard at her passion for music. And as if this single wasn’t enough, check out her singing range with “want it”, a remix to Drake’s “Juice”. We are certain that this is just the beginning of great things to come! Visit iTune here and purchase her new single and share the love by following her here on twitter! Be Inspired! Be Positive! Be Somali!

Here’s more music for you! Meet Sherissa, a Somali singer/songwriter from Stockholm, Sweden. Sherissa started to sing at a young age, picking music as a way to express herself. Without any professional lessons or a mentor, Sherissa developed a love of music with an astonishing vocal ability, often listening to and being inspired by the authenticity of other singer/songwriters such as James Morrison, India Arie, Tracy Chapman, Ray Charles, One Republic and Colbie Caillat. With a delicate yet strong voice and an innate ability for writing beautifully heartfelt songs, Sherissa is quickly establishing herself as one of the emerging young artists in Sweden. She writes about insightful, powerfully driven songs depicting her experiences of coming of age, going through the emotions of love, heartbreak and self-discovery. Her songs are timeless, often crossing genres and generations. She is hard at work in the studio writing and recording new material. In the meantime, visit her website here, listen to her music here and discover more about her! Be Inspired! Be Positive! Be Somali!
Zoom

Here’s more music for you! Meet Sherissa, a Somali singer/songwriter from Stockholm, Sweden. Sherissa started to sing at a young age, picking music as a way to express herself. Without any professional lessons or a mentor, Sherissa developed a love of music with an astonishing vocal ability, often listening to and being inspired by the authenticity of other singer/songwriters such as James Morrison, India Arie, Tracy Chapman, Ray Charles, One Republic and Colbie Caillat. With a delicate yet strong voice and an innate ability for writing beautifully heartfelt songs, Sherissa is quickly establishing herself as one of the emerging young artists in Sweden. She writes about insightful, powerfully driven songs depicting her experiences of coming of age, going through the emotions of love, heartbreak and self-discovery. Her songs are timeless, often crossing genres and generations. She is hard at work in the studio writing and recording new material. In the meantime, visit her website here, listen to her music here and discover more about her! Be Inspired! Be Positive! Be Somali!

If you’re in Toronto then check out the Luminato 2012 Festival which opened this past Friday night! The Festival was headlined by Somalia’s own, K’naan, who took to the stage at the heart of Toronto’s Entertainment District. K’naan was joined in a surprise appearance by Nelly Furtado! They both rocked the stage with K’naan’s inspirational lyrics and animated stage presence keeping the audience engaged! Read more here and visit the Luminato Festival website here. 
Zoom

If you’re in Toronto then check out the Luminato 2012 Festival which opened this past Friday night! The Festival was headlined by Somalia’s own, K’naan, who took to the stage at the heart of Toronto’s Entertainment District. K’naan was joined in a surprise appearance by Nelly Furtado! They both rocked the stage with K’naan’s inspirational lyrics and animated stage presence keeping the audience engaged! Read more here and visit the Luminato Festival website here. 

Heard the major news this week as the young Somali singer/songwriter duo Iman and Siham Hashi formed FAARROW? Iman and Siham, were born in Mogadishu, Somalia and emigrated to Toronto, Canada as refugees. In an effort to master their fears and achieve their dreams, the sister duo moved to Atlanta, Georgia in 2006 to create a world of their very own achievements. They began recording there and within six shorts months, caught the attention of our nation’s top record label. Not forgetting where they came from, the sisters also serve as spokespersons with the U.N. Refugee Agency and are actively involved with humanitarian efforts for the United Nations and other organizations alike. In addition, the duo contribute to the empowerment of women through their business venture, WI$H CREATIVELY! Iman, meaning ‘FAITH’ and Siham, meaning “ARROW’ gives light to their name, FAARROW. More fitting as they’ve evolved and outgrown the name, Sweet Rush, their music has evolved into the highly anticipated and beautifully-rooted vibes of heavy beats and flows. Now working with industry heavy weights, Grammy award winning producers, NO I.D, and DJ Khalil, on their first album as FAARROW, the sisters continue to inspire their generation to strengthen their dreams, paint over today, and create their own tomorrows.