Art

In the heart of Hargeisa, Somaliland’s music scene is pulsing with new energy, as iconic voices return and fresh talents emerge. From patriotic anthems to political ballads, a cultural revival is reshaping the nation’s soundscape.

From the golden age of Ethio-jazz to the dawn of modern Ethiopian pop, Elias Melka stood at the crossroads of tradition and modernity. His musical innovations redefined the Ethiopian sound and empowered a new generation of artists.

A legendary voice of Eritrea’s Tigre-speaking people, Idris Wed Amir turned heartbreak and hardship into lyrical brilliance — shaping a cultural legacy that endures to this day.

Hudeidi transformed Somali music with his unparalleled mastery of the Oud. His legacy, marked by melodies of love, longing, and revolution, endures across generations.

Abubakar Asheikh navigated political upheaval and migration to expand his musical repertoire and become an icon of Eritrean and Ethiopian music.

How Sudanese political satirist Khalid Albaih uses his art and writing to confront injustice, challenge authority, and highlight the struggles of marginalized communities worldwide.

Ibrahim Osman writes about how Sudanese hip-hop defined a revolution and how a revolution defined it.

 yo, bust this Black to the future, back to the past, Def Jam  

Osman Abdulrahim is considered one of the pioneers of modern Eritrean music but his influence also extended to politics where his verses stirred the Eritrean liberation movement.