Aar Maanta’s debut UK tour which coincided with Eid al Adha, was the first tour by a Somali artist for the Somali community. Aar Maanta is part of the new Somali sound where contemporary urban influences blend with sounds from the hey day of Somali music in the 70’s when Somali bands vied with Ethiopian and Kenyan bands for popularity in Africa.

Very special guest on the tour was leading Somali comedian Prince Abdi, who’s take on UK Somali life has found fans well beyond his community.

Aar Maanta is part of the community that fled the destruction of the war in Somalia, who maintained his love of the music despite family disapproval and growing up away from his roots. Setting up his own studio in West London he set out to create a new kind of Somali music. Working with Jazz guitarist Maciek Pysz and Ahmed ‘Hudeydi’ Ismail, a master oud player and one of Somalia’s greatest composers, Maanta released his debut album “Hiddo & Dhaqan”. It blends traditional Somali poetic styles with Jazz, hip hop and RnB – a style he calls Afro Hop.

Aar Maanta is now the only singer in Europe fusing the soulful funky sound Somali with contemporary music and great way to discover the classic Somali sound and what is the UKs biggest yet least visible African community.

Following the the tour international interest has risen enormously, with Festival enquiries and bookings from USA, Canada, Ethiopia and France coming in. UK fans can catch him at WOMAD in 2014. Fans of Somali music can catch the next tour in June; Homage to Magool feat. Farxiya Fiska or follow on facebook

October 2013 tour dates
Friday 18 October The Drum, Birmingham
Saturday 19 October 2013 Tabernacle W11, London
Sunday 20 October Octagon, Sheffield
Friday 25 October Black-E, Liverpool
Saturday 26 October Trinity Arts, Bristol