Considered the voice of the new generation Somalis in the UK, British Somali singer and songwriter Aar Maanta moved to the United Kingdom following Somalia’s civil war of the early 1990’s.

As a lone child in a new country, Maanta turned to music for comfort, absorbing many genres including pop, rock, hip hop, R&B and house. He started studying music at school and then later at university. However, he completed a degree in science and returned to singing.

Aar Maanta produces an eclectic mix of styles blended with traditional Somali music, including the classical oud-centred Qaraami (“love songs” in Arabic) style of the 1940s.

Aar Maanta is now the only Somali music artist in Europe that is successfully fusing traditional Somali music with a variety of contemporary influences. Recognizing this achievement in 2010, Star Africa Radio of Paris referred to Aar Maanta as a “a Somali culture shaper in London.”

Preview: London African Music Festival @ London (Various Venues, 18-27 September 2015)

For the thirteenth year in a row, London becomes the northernmost African city. Twenty-six acts spread over ten days of “glorious music” and ten London vibrant venues will bring to life the 2015 edition of the London African Music Festival. The event, organized by Joyful Noise since 2003, has always…

Artists: Aar Maanta , Daby Touré , Ebo Taylor , Gordon Masiala , Joe Driscoll And Sekou Kouyate , Mose Fan Fan , Oum , Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 , Suzanna Lubrano , Yinka Davies

Interview: Aar Maanta @ Womad 2014

If Aar Maanta’s community in the UK had had their way, the artist who is today considered to be the voice of the new Somali generation should have become a scientist. The fact that instead he is revered as one of the most important musicians of the Horn of Africa…

Artists: Aar Maanta