Price: £20
Language: Somali
Join us for the grand finale of Somali Week Festival 2024 — a night filled with music, memory, and deep respect for one of Somalia’s greatest cultural icons. This year’s closing concert pays tribute to the extraordinary Hibo Nuura, whose voice and presence have shaped generations of Somali music and identity.
Hibo Nuura’s songs are etched into the soundtrack of Somali life. Her artistry, influence, and contribution to Somali music over decades are impossible to overstate. On this special night, she’ll be honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award, presented in partnership with SAAFI, as part of a joyful musical celebration featuring both classic performances and fresh interpretations of her work.
Expect powerful live sets from a stellar line-up, including:
Hibo Nuura, Aar Maanta, Farxiya Kabayare, Abdirahman Nasri, Nimco Yasin, Ikran Mahabe, Idil Barkhad and Shukri Sha’ani — with more surprise guests to be announced.
This is more than a concert. It’s a tribute, a homecoming, and a collective moment of honouring a voice that has carried the heart of Somali culture across time and borders.
Our highly anticipated and popular closing concert of the festival allows us to celebrate the most exciting current artists in a grand musical concert. This year we welcome visiting artists and headliner’s xxx. During the concert we will also pay tribute to the lifetime achievements of Hibo Nuura, who will be presented with a lifetime achievement award (presented in partnership with SAAFI). This musical celebration is not to be missed!
Artist Bios:
Hibo Nuura (Hibo Mohamed Hoddoon Cumar Cabsiiye):
Born on May 21, 1954, in Dilla, Somaliland, Hibo Nuura emerged as a defining voice of Somali music starting in 1968, when she debuted at just 14 years old. By the mid-1970s, she had joined Waaberi, Somalia’s premier government-sponsored musical ensemble, where her commanding vocals and emotive delivery elevated both love ballads and patriotic anthems into timeless classics. Over nearly five decades, Hibo’s artistry shaped the soundscape of modern Somali music, inspiring countless singers—many still citing her as a creative beacon. With a repertoire that includes songs like “Alif la Kordhabey,” “Shimbiryahow Ma Duushaa,” and “Soo Noqo Adoo Nabad Ah,” she has woven poetry and melody into deeply affecting experiences that resonate across generations.
Hibo’s creative influence extends beyond performance. Her recordings, many featured in compilation projects like Grammy-nominated Sweet as Broken Dates: Lost Somali Tapes from the Horn of Africa, help preserve Somalia’s sonic heritage and introduce her work to global audiences. She also acted in theatrical works with fellow Waaberi artists, merging music and drama to explore cultural narratives. Although she stepped back from mainstream singing in 2015 for various reasons, Hibo continues to channel her artistry into patriotic and nationalistic music, a testament to her creative integrity and deep bond with Somali identity.
Today, she will be celebrated with a Lifetime Achievement Award, acknowledging her vast creative output and enduring role as a guardian of Somali music and culture.
Aar Maanta (Hassan-Nour Sayid) is a Somali-British singer-songwriter known for blending rock, reggae, and Western genres with traditional Somali and Arabic music. A former science graduate, he launched the Horn 2 Groove project and released his debut album Hiddo & Dhaqan in 2009, introducing a unique Afro-hop sound. Recognized by StarAfrica as “A Somali Culture Shaper in London,” Aar Maanta is also a UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador. He leads one of the few live Somali music touring bands and recently contributed to the Dangerous Crossings campaign, reworking his song “Tahriib” with top African artists.
Farxiya Kabayare is a standout Somali–Kenyan singer whose artistry bridges contemporary pop and traditional Arabic-Somali music. Known for her rich voice and emotive songwriting, Farxiya has built a loyal following across East Africa and the diaspora. Popular tracks like “Qabso Gacanta,” “Dhakac Dhakac”, and “Axdi” showcase her ability to craft storytelling through melody. Her live performances are celebrated for their emotional depth and her seamless blending of genres—pop, ballad, and Arabic-infused sounds—creating music that resonates deeply with diverse audiences.
Nimco Yasin (Nimco Yaasiin Caraale): A veteran performer and cultural ambassador, Nimco Yasin rose to prominence in the 1980s with the esteemed Waaberi ensemble, touring Somali diasporic communities worldwide. Based in London and the US since the early 1990s, she has delivered performances, workshops, and educational initiatives aimed at preserving Somali music and nurturing cross-cultural understanding.
Nimco describes her music as a powerful blend of “love and patriotism, with culture and tradition”, a belief that art can rebuild and unify communities. Her 2017 residency in Minneapolis included a new performance developed with local participants, illustrating her role as an exemplary artist.
Ikran Mahabe is a celebrated Djiboutian singer known for her powerful vocals and vibrant stage presence. Over the past few years, she’s become a standout in East African music, gaining popularity through hits like “Hees Sidaa Mayraax” and “Hees Qani Ban Ku Ahay Sharaf,” and collaborating with artists such as Hassan Omar. Ikran's performances, widely viewed on platforms like YouTube and TikTok, highlight her emotional depth and lively energy. She brings authenticity and charisma to every stage, captivating audiences at festivals, special events, and cultural celebrations. Beyond her music, Ikran serves as a cultural ambassador, actively promoting Djiboutian heritage and unity in the region. Her strong presence online, particularly on TikTok, further connects her with fans across the globe, making her influence felt far beyond her live shows. In short, Ikran Mahabe blends soulful artistry with cultural pride, earning her recognition as one of East Africa’s rising musical talents.
Dahabo Ali Bogoreh (Geelo), known by the nickname Guelo, is an exceptional Djiboutian artist who began her career as a musician in the 1975s. Over time, Ms. Guelo broadened her artistic field by becoming an actress in Djiboutian films and on theater boards. Subsequently, she specialized in cultural and patriotic songs, thus becoming an emblematic figure of the Djiboutian artistic scene. His contribution to the culture and art of Djibouti remains invaluable, indelibly marking the artistic history of the country.
Lafoole (real name Maxamed Lafoole) is a Somali vocalist and Afro-pop star whose career began in the early 2010s. His breakout tracks like “Aduunkoo Dhan,” “Hani,” and “Ruun Ruun” resonated widely, some tracks have racked up hundreds of thousands to over a million views on Somali music platforms. Lafoole’s signature is blending rich storytelling with upbeat melodies that feel both nostalgic and fresh. He’s remained active and relevant: in 2023 he released the music video “RUUN,” and last year he dropped a refreshed version of “Aduunkoo Dhan,” which quickly hit six figures in views. His music remains rooted in Somali tradition but embraces modern pop production, making him a bridge between generations and a mainstream icon in East Africa’s contemporary music scene.
Kaltun Baado is a celebrated Somali singer renowned for her emotionally resonant voice and classic interpretation of traditional Somali songs. With a career spanning decades, she has become synonymous with timeless ballads and love songs deeply cherished by Somali communities around the world.
Her performances are known for their heartfelt sincerity and cultural authenticity, helping preserve and celebrate Somali musical heritage. Kaltun’s enduring appeal lies in her ability to blend nostalgia with contemporary presentation, bridging generations and maintaining her status as a beloved figure in Somali culture and beyond.
Abdirahman Nasri, popularly known as Nasri, is an emerging Somali singer-songwriter acclaimed for his soulful vocals and compelling storytelling. His music effortlessly merges traditional Somali musical influences with modern pop sensibilities, appealing broadly across generations.
With standout tracks such as "Magacsan," "Kugu Marmay," and "Maamiya (Raadiyaa)," Nasri has rapidly established himself as a fresh voice on the Somali music scene. His significant social media presence, notably on TikTok, underscores his growing influence among young audiences globally. Nasri continues to captivate listeners through innovative musical collaborations and compelling visuals, marking him as a promising artist within East Africa’s contemporary music sphere.