These sources document Somalia's interesting disco-funk scene that emerged in the 1970s-80s under Siad Barre. in the 70s and 80s Somalia abandoned its relations with the Soviet Union and started align itself with the United States. What resulted was in influx of American Music from the likes of Michael Jackson and Etta James. The government under Barre had effectively nationalised the countries music industry, with no private record companies operating. During this period singers were often forced to create pro-regime songs. However, private bands such as the Dur-Dur Band rebelled against these conditions with their funk sound. Ultimately, many of these musicians were forced to flee the country as Barre's government fell and the country was plunged into civil war. Due to the Governments nationalised music industry, most of the archives of music were lost as radio-stations were targeted by military groups as communication centres.
Example of Dur-Dur Bands music https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZW-Mht7TuR8&list=PLTDRkicZjHH78v73JOygTaTk2UY8WliNk&index=12
Guardian video on the music scene https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjnRW6LQ0GM
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-64414472
https://scenenoise.com/Sets/noise-mixes-an-introduction-to-the-somali-disco-wave-1972-1991
Cool stuff, Ben!
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