Aar was born into a nation that has art or (Suugaan in Somali) as an integral part of their daily life. In going back to his roots Aar has discovered the meaning of the inspirational work of great Somali artists such as Abdillahi Suldaan Mohammed (Timacade), Sayid Mohammed Abdullah Hassan, Ismail Mire, Hassan Sheikh Mumin & Abdullahi Qarshe, men who used their art as a tool to fight oppression and division. Aar feels that there was a dream behind every one of the artists that he respects and gets inspiration from. The dream that drives Aar's work is to realise a united and a peaceful country/state that represents all Somalis equally. Aar's music is ultimately influenced by social and political issues relating to this matter.
Aar Maanta is a UK based Somali musician, described by young British Somalis as “the voice of our generation” because his music addresses issues resonating within the Somali community, with songs taking inspiration from the struggles of Somali people as well as the beauty of Somali culture.
Because of the civil war in Somalia, Aar has been living in the UK since the late eighties. Growing up as a lone child in a new country, Aar turned to music for comfort and healing at this early and painful period of his life, soaking up many styles including pop, rock, hip hop, RnB and house. The combination of these influences with Somali musical heritage gives Aar his unique artistic identity and sound.
Music became a passion for Aar at an early age; he started studying music at school and then at university. However, to his disappointment he wasn’t able to complete his degree and further his career at the time. Because of family pressure/disapprovals due to his Islamic faith, he was discouraged from following a career path in music and instead he completed a degree in Life Science instead.
Aar was always drawn back to his passion (music.) Shortly after completing his studies, Aar set up his own recording studio, Horn 2 Grove, and has worked with many diverse acts including Algerian Rai singer Abdelkader Saadoun and UK hip hop group Choong Family. However, he always loved his roots and felt compelled to help develop and push forward Somali music. Aar has since worked with many legendary Somali artists including Maryam Mursal and Ahmed Ismail Hussein (Hodeide) who is a master oud player and one of Somalia’s greatest composers.
Impressed by Aar's unique and fresh sound, Abdelkader Saadoun arranged for Aar's first festival performance. In July 2006 Aar played at Rise: London United the UK's largest anti-racist and multi-cultural festival along side Graham Coxon, Common, The Wailers, Buzzcocks, The Duke Spirit and jazz legend Roy Ayers. Over 80,000 young people and families attended this event, bringing together Londoners from all communities.
Frustrated by the lack of originality amongst current Somali artists and their unwillingness to modernize. Aar decided to produce his own album. In 2009 Aar Maanta’s eagerly awaited debut album Hiddo & Dhaqan was released to great acclaim, featuring popular tracks such as Asalamu Alaykum, Saafi, Mac Isii and Go’doomey. Hiddo & Dhaqan is a fresh and exciting album that pushes forward Somali music, whilst remembering its origins.
Aar’s musical approach, which blends the Somali sound with styles from all over the Horn of Africa, means that his music appeals to all Somalis from all regions.
Someone's sitting in the shade today because someone planted a tree a long time ago. ~Warren Buffett~
In towering splendor once I stood A regal monarch of the wood, My branches once reached to the sky See me now but do not cry. The Creator's work has yet to cease I've become a shelter for bird and beast, And when at last I fall to the Earth The life I leave will inspire new birth; A seedling springs forth from the ground Nature's cycle goes round and round. ~S. Edward Palmer, Spirit Tree~
Hey Aar!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How you doin huuno??????????????? Well i hope you're in the best of health. Just dropping by to say "Hi". Its been a long time since i came on this site, however i did not want to leave without showing sum Luv..........
As Salaam Alaikum.....Wa ficanahay ...adigah?....
Thanks for stopn by brotha.... How's everything your way ....check out my songs on my page I got one of your songs up...!!!!! May Allah continue to bless you with the light of understanding!!
yo wallahi...im feeling you work fam...idk if u no but im not somali.. altho sum say i look like it..lol...but im around somalis all the tyme...and your music has a different sound to it...what i mean is it sounds somali but a little more modern....i can actually listen to ur music while doing a plethora of things...thats whats up...KEEP DOING YO THANG BRO!!!!!!!
On January 12, an earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Ruichter scale struck about 15 kilometers southwest of the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) teams on the ground have seen significant damage to its medical facilities, injuries to patients and staff, and an influx of wounded towards these hospitals in the capital.
Thousands of people are feared dead after a powerful earthquake struck Haiti's capital, leaving tens of thousands homeless and buried beneath rubble. Dead and injured lay in the streets of Port-au-Prince after the earthquake hit the impoverished Caribbean country on Tuesday, toppling a range of structures including the United Nations building - where everyone in the building at the time is feared dead - and the presidential palace.
The tremor, measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale, struck at 4.53pm (2153 GMT) about 10 miles west of Port-au-Prince at a depth of five miles and is said to be the most powerful to hit the country in more than 200 years. Journalists based in Port-au-Prince said the damage from the quake - the most powerful to hit Haiti in more than 200 years - was staggering even in a country accustomed to tragedy and disaster.
Please can any WATF members who can afford to make a donation please do so however small this might be, as everything helps to saves lives at the present moment. See organisations below to pledge support.
Hiya, thanks for being a friend - I enjoyed visiting YourSpace :-) Keep it up May your life be full of love, light and fun... hugs SOREN - Beats for change - NYERTUN
The blue birds do not have to look for distant countries. The blue bird is still with us, if we love each other, and we're happy life even the smallest gifts. But I always fly away, If you hurt one another, if you watch with envy the pleasure of others. Because the blue bird of happiness itself, and the cage, the human heart. Happy New Year.. Have a wonderful day...Hugs and Love...Valéria
Yo happy new year fam...
Check out new page new poems new blogs.... As a matter of fact take a look at the poem "demise of the dumb dames brigade"!!!!!
Oneness
Saadoun Entertainment Invites You to: THE HOTTEST ARABIAN & WORLD MUSIC NIGHTS IN TOWN Belly Dancers, Live Music From UK, North Africa, Middle East, New Zealand, Greece, Spain, Italy plus Guests Artists, DJ playing Jazz, Fusion, Flamenco, Traditional Music & Original Composition.
To download Flyer, Perform with your band or for More Information Contact; Kader 0044(0)7950 779 850 www.saadoun.com
Booking recommended in advance from Pizza on The park Jazz Club £10
Dates: Wednesday 6 January 2010, 7pm till late Venue: Pizza On The Park Jazz Club, 11-13 Kinghtsbride, London, SW1X 7LY, UK T: 0044(0)2072357825 www.pizzaexpresslive.co.uk
Dear Aar Maanta (twitter.com/aarmaanta), in our modern life we have... moments...friendship... changes... expectations... dreams... crisis... roads to go... love to share...
Enjoy this video with some urban magic touch...
Hapy Holidays!!!! Vibejays
video link (english version) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkthuGqgbpw
Aar Maanta (twitter.com/aarmaanta), en esta vida moderna tenemos... momentos... amistades... cambios... sueños... espectativas... crisis... lugares adonde ir... amor para dar...
Disfruta este video con un toque de magia urbana...
Felices fiestas!!! Vibejays
Video link (spanish version) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bThFd2-VGE
Live Flamenco, Jazz and World Music with Andres Garcia, Abdelkader Saadoun plus Guest, Dancers and DJ Every Thursday Night at The Basement of Shouf; Moroccan & Mediterranean Cuisine. £7 entrance.
46 Golborne Road, London W10 5PR, Nearest tube : Westbourne park and Ladbroke grove. www.shouf.co.uk
Our latest single 'Set Me On Fire' is now available worldwide from all major digital stores and includes the exclusive remix by dance legends Utah Saints.
"I'm totally feeling 'em!" - Liam Howlett, The Prodigy
"Revolution is a massive tune!" - Rob Swire, Pendulum
"The missing link between Soundgarden and The Prodigy has materialised!" - Eddy Temple-Morris
100mNYC COMPILATION - VARIOUS ARTISTS Released January 26, 2010 To celebrate our first 10 releases, we are pleased to announce the 100mNYC compilation of artists from the New York underground. "Somber, heartfelt and sublime." - 3Hive “A singer whose breathy, visceral voice is matched only by the 21st-century downtempo electro-pop that backs her up.“ - XLR8R "Complex and remarkably accessible, atmospheric yet earthy, sparse acoustic instrumentation cutting through dense arrangements." - Lucid Culture
