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Aar Maanta is a Somali singer, composer, writer and music producer.

Biography

Aar Maanta moved from his native Somalia to the UK in the late 1980's due to the civil war. As a lone child in a new country he turned to music for comfort absorbing many genres including pop, rock, hip hop, RnB and house. Maanta started studying music at school and then at university, but because of family pressure and disapproval due to his Islamic faith, he was discouraged from following a career path in music, instead he completed a degree in science. Returning to music he now produces an eclectic mix of styles blended with traditional Somali music.^[1]

Maanta's first notable performance was in July 2006 at Rise: London United the UK's largest anti-racist and multi-cultural festival. Aar Maanta played alongside Graham Coxon, Common, The Wailers, Buzzcocks, The Duke Spirit, and Roy Ayers. Over 80,000 young people and families attended this event, bringing together Londoners from many communities.^[2]

Maanta has since worked with many different acts including Algerian Raï singer Abdelkader Saadoun, UK hip hop group Choong Family, Somali musicians Maryam Mursal and Ahmed 'Hudeydi' Ismail Hussein.

Frustrated by the "lack of modern original Somali music", Maantra produced his own album with original songs. In 2009 his debut album Hiddo & Dhaqan was released, featuring songs such as "Asalamu Alaykum", "Saafi", and "Dhadhami".^[3][4]

Maantra is described by young British Somalis as "the voice of our generation" because his songs discuss a range of issues that Somalis face.^[5]

Discography

Hiddo & Dhaqan 2009 (Maanta)^[6]

References